How glazing adds life to a home interior At Home Tales, we offer excellent design packages for renovations and home extensions in London. Our architectural designers are dedicated to smoothly guiding you through the design process and informing you on the options available to you. Each package is tailored to our clients, and whether you are reconfiguring your ground floor layout or installing a dormer extension in London, we have got you covered. There are many things to consider when undertaking a home improvement project, and glazing plays a huge role. Whether it’s in the form of roof windows, external doors, or just replacing old windows and doors, they are important features to be carefully considered. A commonly overlooked feature is internal glazing, defined as glass seen within the home as windows, doors, or partitions. In this post, we wanted to shine a spotlight on internal glazing and options that are easily accessed by homeowners. What is so great about internal glazing? Windows are known as the eyes of a building, but they do not just have to be on the outside of your home. Glazing can be an amazing addition to an interior by separating parts of the home whilst creating views to maintain internal cohesion. They don’t require any sort of planning approval as all the works would be hidden inside the home. Internal glazing can be in the form of a window, door, or partition. Instead of hanging an art piece, they add architectural interest by introducing glimpses into another part of the home i.e. a wonderfully decorated, bright dining room. One huge reason for installing internal glazing is to borrow natural daylight from other rooms. This prevents dark spots that may result from narrow corridors and middle rooms. They also offer a minimal level of privacy while allowing the room to be light and open. Windows Internal windows add a lot to a home and can make an interior feel incredibly light and spacious. For instance, an internal window above a door brings light into the middle room in a home by borrowing from other rooms i.e. a dining room with large glass bi-fold doors. This is especially relevant in London period properties, which typically feature tall ceilings. The windows also double as a decorative feature as it frames a glimpse into another part of the home, such as from a home office into a living room. It also offers privacy in this example, as noise disruptions would be minimised although the office would still feel a part of the room, rather than isolated. Doors Glazed internal doors are a smart solution for lighting issues throughout the home. They’re a beautiful, functional feature that can be upgraded by how it’s styled. For example, sliding doors would be a sophisticated divider between a kitchen to a dining space. When closed, the rooms would still feel joined while noises and smells will remain in the kitchen. When opened, they can appear as an open plan room with those in the dining room able to interact with those in the kitchen. Crittall-style garden doors can be continued into the home by introducing Crittall-style internal windows or doors. This ensures the interior design clearly reflects the exterior design, so the entire home feels purposefully put together. Partitions If you like the look of open plan living but aren’t convinced enough to take the plunge, glazed partitions are a great alternative. These are basically large panes of glass that can be used throughout the home, for example, to support an open staircase, create a balustrade for a mezzanine overlooking a living room, etc. The glazing offers support whilst providing a through view that prevents rooms from feeling shut off and small. For example, in a studio apartment, it can be unsettling for some to be able to see your kitchen from your bed, so frosted glass partition would be a great solution for subtly separating these areas. In a home, install full length glass partitions alongside an entranceway to reinstate the entrance hallway and physically separate it from your living room or kitchen. It has also been evident throughout the pandemic that internal glazing can allow people to feel close yet remain physically apart, making it perfect for certain areas of a home. If you’re looking to undertake a home improvement project, whether you’re looking to renovate or extend, our friendly team of professionals would love to assist you. Why not give us a quick call on 02070432378 or shoot us an email at hello@hometales.co.uk. Alternatively, book a telephone consultation with a member of our team here. We offer the Standard consultation which is free, or a Consultation+ which offers more services and a zoom call so you can speak with us face-to-face.
3D Visuals What type of loft conversion do I need for my home? Installing a loft conversion in London can be incredibly rewarding. It’s a straightforward project that will oftentimes not require planning permission, therefore making it a cost-effective solution to refreshing a property. In today’s post, we cover the types of loft conversion you can undertake along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Build What works can be done without planning approval? There are plenty of home improvement projects that can be done in a London property without having to seek planning approval. These projects would fall under Permitted Development Rights, which are a set of pre-approved changes you can make to a property. Oftentimes we recommend our clients to notify the local planning authority of their intended works so that there are no problems down the road. However, if your property is a flat, maisonette, or located within a Conservation Area, permitted development rights will not apply, and you will need to seek planning permission.