A kitchen that’s large, light and bright is at the top of most people’s home improvement lists. But, while most people can get their head around paint colours, kitchen cabinets and even appliances, with the help of Pinterest, Instagram and (of course) RH.com, choosing the best glazing to create the bright, spacious feel that so many of us are after may, initially, draw up a few blanks.
To prove that choosing glazing doesn’t have to be difficult and to inspire you to think about the extent to which a well chosen glazing solutions can transform a space, we’ve teamed up with Roofglaze to share some stylish design inspiration.
So, whether you’re working with an existing extension that might be described as dark and gloomy; or you’re starting from scratch and want to make sure you get it right, first time, rest assured that you’ll find plenty of design ideas and inspiration, below.
1. Use a well placed rooflight to create a stylish centrepiece
Installing a rooflight is one of the easiest and most effective ways to flood a kitchen extension – or any other room, for that matter – with an abundance of natural light. Also known as skylights, or a roof window, this glazing solution is situated in the ceiling and can therefore be used to draw attention to a particular space within your extension.
An idea we’re particularly fond of is installing a rooflight above a focal point – be that a kitchen island or dining table – as this will subtly draw the eye and enhance the dramatic effect of your kitchen’s centrepiece.
If this is an option you end up going with, it’s worth noting that you’ll need to think carefully about your choice of glass. For a spot above a cooking or dining area, you’ll need to ensure you opt for glass with a laminated inner pane, unless a stringent risk assessment has demonstrated that use of a toughened glass inner pane will not pose any additional risk to those below the rooflight.
2. Consider walk on rooflights to create a terrace on the floor above
If you’re short on garden space, or like the idea of designing a spot to sun yourself, come summer, why not opt for a rooflight designed with glass that can be walked on? That way, you benefit from a kitchen flooded with natural light and can build a terrace on top of your kitchen extension, maximising space and making up for any that may have been lost during the build.
If the idea of a sun terrace styled with outdoor sofas, fairy lights and plenty of plants appeals; as well as a kitchen extension flooded with natural light, appeals, we’d recommend Roofglaze’s Walk-on Flatglass rooflights as a reliable solution.
3. Or incorporate them into a lower ground floor of basement kitchen extension
Similarly, if you’re working a kitchen into a basement flat or recently converted cellar, you might consider a reinforced walk-on glass that will flood a light-restricted space with natural light from above without losing any space in your garden, courtyard, or rooms above.
How will you clean your rooflights?
A natural concern for many considering installing roofights, or any other glazing solutions, is how on earth you’ll get up there to clean them properly.
Fortunately, it is possible to opt for your glass to be coated with Ritec ClearShield. This dramatically reduces the need for cleaning by resisting dirt in the first place and can be added to any of Roofglaze’s Flatglass rooflights.
4. Opt for a minimal design to suit a contemporary kitchen
Another factor worth considering when choosing the best glazing solution to suit your kitchen extension, is the finished look. If you like the idea of a stylish and contemporary kitchen, with minimal fuss, we’d recommend opting for Flatglass rooflights, which are modern and minimal in their design.
Available with fixed, opening, single or multi-section options, this style not only complements the stylishly understated feel that many of us are after in a contemporary kitchen, but also enhances the energy efficiency of a property and tend to make for a brighter alternative to standard rooflights. This is, in part, thanks to its design, which ensures that maximum light is able to penetrate the space.
5. Or use lantern-style rooflights to add height and drama to a period property
Alternatively, if you’ve recently extended a period property you may be looking for – or be required by listed building restrictions to opt for – an option that’s sympathetic to the traditional style of your home.
In this instance, a lantern-style rooflight will complement your period property, perfectly, adding height to a space, as well as enhancing the visual drama of your interiors. Find a variety of suitable options available at Roofglaze.
6. Enhance the natural ventilation of your kitchen (especially if it’s on the small side)
If you’re concerned about a small kitchen – or even a small kitchen extension – feeling stuffy, you might consider opting for a rooflight which has been designed to combat this.
We’d recommend opting for a hinged, or sliding, Flatglass rooflight, which not only enhances the presence of daylight, but also provides natural ventilation for your home. Install above a cooking station and benefit from fresh air at the touch of a button.
7. Consider what sized rooflights will best suit your space
While it can be easy to assume that opting for the largest rooflight you can is always the best solution, this isn’t always the case. In fact, if you’re working with a small extension, or an extension to a period property, a large, glazed solution may actually overwhelm a space.
In these instances, opting for something on the smaller scale will achieve your desired outcome, flooding your space with natural light without looking unnatural. That said, if you’re working with a large space with a distinct, contemporary space, you can probably afford to get away with a larger – or even more than one – rooflight to achieve your desired outcome.