Having a home or kitchen extension can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, as you never fully know how your new space will function. One of the worries we hear clients voice is on how an extension performs in the summer heat, when lots of homeowners have issues with glass extensions and conservatories. Unlike these options, a home extension has many ways to stay cool in the summertime.
The main option to keep your extension cool in the summer is with your choice of glazing. There are several different types of glazing you can choose from for your extension, from windows to doors to skylights. There are three main types of external doors you can have: French patio, bifold and sliding. Bifold doors are the most popular choice due to their adaptability, being able to fold in on themselves to create a compact unit out of the way of the user. This allows you to completely open the back of your extension into your garden space, with no glass panels in the way. A sliding door will always have 50% of the glass locked in place, and a French patio door is the most reserved option.
By having bifold doors, you can bring in the most amount of air and ventilate your extension thoroughly. However, even by choosing French patio doors, which bring in the least amount of air, you can still increase the amount of ventilation in your garden room with windows. Depending on your type of extension, you can have casement windows and sash windows on vertical walls. These are a popular option for side return extensions and for semi or fully detached houses.
To supplement these options, you can also have skylights. These are one of the best ways to release heat from your extension in the summer, as they release the hot air which naturally rises to the ceiling of your extension. You can have VELUX skylights which open, with different coloured frames to suit the décor of your extension. You can typically choose from wooden or aluminium frames for your skylights. If you want to keep your extension cool in the summer, it is wise to think about the type of skylights you want. If you have fixed panel glazing or roof lights, these cannot be opened and will trap the heat inside your extension. Whilst the natural light can be beautiful in the summer, it can make your extension hotter!
Of course, if you have chosen to have a glass extension, you can supplement any windows or doors you have with an air conditioning unit. These tend to have expensive running costs, but you can always rely on them to cool down your extension. For most extensions however, you will not need an air conditioning unit, with a well-insulated extension that has appropriate glazing to cool your extension in the summer.
If you are considering having an extension on your property in London or the West Midlands, call the Simply Extend team today on 0800 917 7571!
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