The heart of the home
With homeowners placing the kitchen and dining room as the heart of family living, multi-functional open living spaces are a must-have for new-builds and renovation projects.
Modern homeowners are now looking for large, bright and airy cooking areas, where the family can interact and spend quality time together.
If you’re considering a kitchen extension, you’ll need to request planning permission and think about how your spaces will flow. Create distinct areas for cooking, dining and socialising and use a central island to divide the room.
A kitchen extension will increase the overall square footage of your home and, ultimately, the value of your home.
Let the light in
When extending a house to the rear, there is the danger of the extended area becoming dark and gloomy as it is isolated from the outside. Rooflights can provide the perfect solution for bringing more light into a room as they provide up to three times more natural light than standard windows. Rooflights not only dramatically increase the amount of a daylight in a space but they can also become the centrepiece of your kitchen, especially if installed above a dining table or kitchen island, creating a more dramatic effect.
What type of rooflight should I choose?
There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing a rooflight. Selecting the right size, shape, glass and rooflight type is a crucial step to maximising the light, space and energy efficiency in your kitchen.
Rooflight design
If you are looking for a modern look and feel, flatglass rooflights are the perfect solution. With fixed, opening, single or multi-section options available, a flatglass rooflight with a contemporary, minimal framework design will enhance your kitchen space and increase the energy efficiency of your property.
Fixed flatglass rooflights are an attractive and cost-effective option. With a sleek and modern design, you can enjoy sky views all year round.
Hinged or sliding flatglass rooflights are the best solution to increase not only daylight but also natural ventilation into kitchens. Installed above the cooking or dining area, ventilation rooflights can be opened at the touch of a button and will allow in fresh air, removing any unpleasant smells from your kitchen space.
If you prefer a more traditional, classic design or are restricted by the listed status of your property, a lantern-style rooflight will complement your period property perfectly, adding height and visual drama to the interiors.
Rooflight size
Consider balancing the size of your rooflight with the look and feel of your kitchen. Large rooflights are more appropriate for larger spaces and are vital for letting in daylight towards the centre of the room. If space is limited or if you live in a period property, consider installing smaller rooflights, that will complement the space and allow in the right amount of light and sunshine, without overheating the room.
Rooflight glazing
With different types of glazing available, you can select either double or triple glazed options for improved thermal performance, glass with solar control that absorbs the heat and reduces the need for air conditioning.
When installing rooflights over cooking or dining areas, the type of glass selected is of the utmost importance. When choosing the type of glass for a rooflight, National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers (NARM) recommends that the inner pane should always be laminated glass, unless a stringent risk assessment has been undertaken which shows that use of a toughened glass inner pane does not give any additional risk to those below rooflights.
Create your dream kitchen
When you are planning your new kitchen extension project, consider your lifestyle needs and tailor your vision accordingly. Seeking the advice of professionals, such as architects or kitchen designers might be useful, as they can offer practical solutions and help you to stay within your budget.
