The longer days of summer are a time when light is (literally) shed on our homes. Or not, as the case may be, for houses that have too many dark corners and pokey hideaways.
The British climate means that the all-too-few months of summer are a time when we should be soaking up as much sunshine as possible. Yet, those of us in dark properties know how dispiriting it is to spend this precious time in the shade.
Of course, there is a solution: open up your home. By identifying its darker areas, a gloomy house can be transformed into a roomy house with a bit of clever planning. And one of the best ways to achieve this is via an extension.
A single-storey extension – whether it be a kitchen, a dining room or a conservatory – contains a world of possible ways to maximise your living space and use it for all sorts of purposes. A bigger kitchen, a home office, a games room, a music studio or just a general chill-out area…the choice is uniquely yours.
They’re certainly popular at the moment. According to property website Zoopla, homeowners in London and the South East are carrying out the highest number of extensions in the UK, with 15 of the top 20 extension hot spots to be found in this region.
Modern extensions are designed to open up your home, giving the feeling that the new building is actually bigger than it is. A glass roof is an excellent option, instantly brightening up your extension without the room becoming cold. Energy-efficient glazing, as used by leading South East home improvement company SEH BAC, means that temperatures are consistent all year round, even on the coldest and warmest days. Even better, high-performance glazing even cleans itself!
If you don’t fancy all-glass, a solid roof conservatory with up to 40 per cent glazing is another option. Solid tiles can be combined with roof windows, giving you plenty of light with added privacy.
But we’re not just looking up at the stars here. Once upon a time, a door was just a door. Now it’s become a bifold door, and if you add one of these to your extension you’ll really see how a space can open up. In effect, having an aluminium bifold is like having a removable wall, merging the indoors and the outdoors using a streamlined opening system. A door like this creates unobstructed outside views and can be incorporated easily into conservatory design.
Patio doors are a perennial favourite. Manufactured in uPVC and aluminium, they are easy to use, and perfect for making the most of the weather. Again, they’re a great way to let light into your home, and you can also control your ventilation by leaving them slightly open when you want to let a breeze in.
These are just a few of the ways you can open your home to light and better ventilation. For more, call SEH BAC on 0333 258 5495 or contact us here!
As featured in County Life Hertfordshire Magazine – Summer Issue 2023
