CASE STUDY
Dry House
Products used
Sieger Slim Sliding Door
Slim Casement Windows
Structural Glazing
Location
Oakham
Completion date
Project Overview
Dry House is a Grade II listed home extended through a contemporary rear addition connected to the original building by a structural glass link in Oakham. The fully glazed connection creates a clear distinction between the historic house and the new extension, allowing the original architecture to remain legible while increasing the available living space.
The glazing package combines bespoke structural glass, Sieger Slim Sliding Doors and slim aluminium casement windows. A consistent grey finish coordinates the different systems, while thermally broken framing and solar control glazing support year-round comfort within the enlarged living areas.
Project Challenges
Structural glass link in Oakham for a listed building extension
The principal challenge was to increase the living space without obscuring the character of the Grade II listed house. A conventional solid connection would have visually merged the old and new construction, reducing the architectural distinction required for a sensitive heritage extension.
The link also had to respond precisely to the geometry and external finishes of the existing building. Each glass pane required a bespoke shape, and the interfaces needed to be coordinated around the original fabric before installation.
Within the new extension, the glazing needed to maximise daylight and provide flexible garden access. However, selected south-facing windows introduced a risk of excessive solar gain, so the specification also had to address overheating without reducing transparency.
Project Solutions
Bespoke structural glass link with flexible sliding openings
Sieger Systems developed a fully glazed connection formed from bespoke panes cut to suit the junction between the listed house and the contemporary extension. The external finishes and heritage interfaces were mapped during the design process, allowing the structural glass link to meet the existing building with minimal visual disruption.
Sieger Slim Sliding Doors were specified in two- and three-pane configurations. The sliding leaves operate independently, allowing the occupants to vary the size and position of the opening according to how the extension and garden are being used. The large glazed areas provide direct views and access while maintaining minimal aluminium framing.
Slim aluminium casement windows complete the wider glazing package and share the same grey finish as the sliding doors. Solar control coatings were specified to selected south-facing windows to reduce the risk of overheating, while thermally broken framing was used throughout the new glazing.
Project Highlight
The individually shaped structural glass panes and carefully mapped heritage interfaces allow the new extension to connect to Dry House without concealing the original building line. The transparent link establishes a precise architectural separation between the Grade II listed home and the contemporary addition.
End Result
Performance considerations
The new glazing combines minimal framing with the thermal, weather and security performance required for a modern residential extension. The sliding doors use thermally broken aluminium framing and a 20mm vertical junction, maintaining clear views while providing tested resistance to air infiltration, driving rain and wind loading.
Solar control coatings to the south-facing glazing help manage heat gain during warmer periods. The remaining casement windows provide controlled natural ventilation, while the large sliding openings allow the extension to be opened directly to the garden when conditions permit.
The consistent grey finish across the sliding doors and casement windows creates a unified external appearance. Together with the structural glass link, this allows the contemporary extension to remain clearly identifiable without competing with the listed house.
Sieger’s conclusion
Dry House demonstrates how a structural glass link in Oakham can provide a sensitive connection between a listed building and a contemporary rear extension. This approach is well suited to architects, designers and homeowners who need to increase floor area while preserving the form, materials and architectural identity of an existing heritage property.
To discuss glazing for a listed building extension, contact Sieger Systems for technical advice on structural glass links, slim sliding doors, casement windows and solar control specification.
Clear architectural separation between old and new
Flexible two- and three-pane garden openings
Solar control to south-facing glazing
Consistent grey aluminium finish throughout
Technical specifications
| Sieger Slim Sliding Door | 20mm vertical junction sightline, glass thickness up to 30mm, sliding panes up to 2500mm wide × 3000mm high, pane weights up to 320kg and typical Uw value of 1.3 W/m²K. |
| Sliding Door Performance | Air permeability Class 4, water tightness Class 7A, wind resistance Class C5, acoustic reduction up to 41dB and locking at up to four points, depending on height. |
| Project Sliding Configurations | Two- and three-pane sliding systems with independently operating leaves, allowing the opening arrangement to be adjusted for access, ventilation and garden use. |
| Structural Glass Link | Fully glazed connection formed from individually shaped panes, with external finishes and interfaces mapped to suit the Grade II listed building. |
| Aluminium Casement Windows | Thermally broken casement windows in a matching grey finish, used to increase daylight and provide controlled natural ventilation throughout the extension. |
| Solar Control Specification | Solar control coatings applied to selected south-facing windows to reduce heat gain and support comfortable internal temperatures. |
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