Oversized Sliding Sash Windows and Heritage Bifold Doors for Single Storey Extension, Reading

Location: Reading

Located in a sought-after village of Mortimer, in Reading, this single-storey extension with oversized sliding sash windows and Heritage bifold doors transforms this beautiful semi-detached property into a light-filled family home that opens out onto its rear garden.

Using Shaun Tanner, a highly respected local architect, the homeowners redesigned the ground floor of their property to include a warm and characterful single-storey extension to the side and rear elevations.

Having a clear vision of the single-storey extension design, the Reading homeowners struggled to find the right double glazing company to offer them the floor-to-ceiling Heritage bifold doors in a thermally broken aluminium profile.

During a visit to a self-build exhibition in Swindon, the homeowners saw the range of Solarlux bifold doors on display. They were instantly impressed by the minimally framed Ecoline bi-fold doors due to the greater panel height and width flexibility than other manufacturers.

Thames Valley Windows are one of Solarlux’s approved partners for the Berkshire area, so the Reading homeowners requested a free no-obligation quote via our company website.

Our architectural project designer Marcus contacted the homeowners to discuss their home renovation project and listen to their glazing requirements.

The owners were keen to get their home renovation project into production, so we arranged a date to visit our Bracknell showroom and meet with Marcus and view our range of Solarlux bifold doors and timber sash windows.

Part of the homeowner’s brief was as the back of the house is north-facing. They were keen to maximise lighting levels internally with full-height glazing and introduced a harmonious connection between the outside and inside living spaces.

Marcus took the time to really understand what the homeowners needed and assessed the proportions and lines of the existing windows to design a bespoke glazing solution with a mixture of modern and traditional elements that blend in with the existing architecture.

The oversized sliding sash windows with traditional Georgian bars have a distinct charm that adds warmth and character to the single-storey extension. The bold and refined aluminium Heritage bifold doors add a contemporary industrial twist paired with timeless elegance and longevity.

Solarlux award-winning aluminium bifold doors are renowned for their quality and long-lasting durability. They have been manufactured in Germany for over 35 years and surpass the requirements of UK building regulations for security and energy efficiency.

Thames Valley Windows is proud to be an authorised Quality Partner of these excellent glazing products.

The two factory-finished engineered timber sliding sash windows are environmentally friendly and manufactured in sustainable European Redwood timber, finished with micro-porous water-based paint for longevity.

The homeowners chose to colour match the windows and doors and chose the popular anthracite grey colour (RAL7016) finish on both the inside and outside.

A close working relationship with the Reading homeowners and their builder ensured that the oversized sliding sash windows and Heritage doors were delivered when needed so the build could run to schedule.

The single-storey extension has resulted in a complete renovation of the semi-detached property in Reading, celebrating the homeowner’s love of heritage steel. This retro industrial look is very much on trend.

The most effective feature of the single-storey extension is the striking 2.4-meter tall Solarlux Ecoline bifold doors. All with glazing transoms in 1920/30’s steel style across an expansive rear elevation of 4.4 meters, open out onto the patio and allow the homeowners to enjoy their garden and alfresco dining.

Not only are Solarlux aluminium doors and windows beautiful, but they are also energy efficient and offer high performance.

Ecoline bi-folds are an extremely cost-effective minimalistic door system boasting aesthetically pleasing clean, thin sightlines and achieving one of the lowest u-values of 1.1 W/m²K.

The frame of any window and door significantly impacts the overall energy efficiency. The aluminium framing of the Ecoline system features an innovative and advanced high-premium insulated aluminium profile and is finished with a high-quality powder coating.

They are combined with high-performance argon gas-filled glazing with a soft coat of Low E glass to provide a sustainable and comfortable living environment within the home.

Lightweight and smooth to operate, the doors can be designed to open inwards or outwards. They are virtually maintenance-free and highly resistant to corrosion and warping.

The double-glazed vertical sliding sash windows open by a concealed modern style spiral balance sash and replicate the appearance of authentic wooden sash windows with slim frames from a bygone era.

Traditional elements include sash horns, deep bottom rail, thin, mid rail, finger pulls and polished chrome furniture, but with the modern benefits of high-performance double and triple glazing with the police-approved ‘secure by design’ safety mechanisms.

We offer a range of bespoke timber window designs and glass options to complement modern properties and specialised glazing solutions for listed buildings, period properties and conservation areas.

The end result is stunning. The rich, dark contemporary black cladding and traditional architectural glazing elements are elegantly combined with a modern industrial aesthetic that enhances and complements the existing property’s character and blends in with the garden’s beauty.

The single-storey extension has a sense of timeless elegance through its combination of mixed materials, careful detailing and dark, sophisticated tones.

The large glass panes enable a natural, illuminated, open plan living space with a kitchen and dining room which have been decorated to a high standard with a muted colour palette to create a sense of space perception with openness.

The Reading homeowners are thrilled with the outcome of their new living space and the high level of natural light and transparency from the oversized sliding sash windows and Heritage doors.

They advised:

These bi-fold doors (and oversized windows) installed by TVW are the main features in our extension where we really wanted to focus on the quality. The windows and doors have added much natural light into the living space. TVW delivered this for us on time and within budget. Thank you.

And left us a super review on Trustpilot.

Products used:

• Solarlux Ecoline Bi-Fold Doors

Suppliers:

Architectural Project Sales: Marcus Durling

Architect: Shaun Tanner Architecture & Planning

You may also be interested in reading our blog articles, ‘What Makes Solarlux Bi-Folds Different? or Sash Window Types – Which Era do they Come From

Our ref: 32158/59