High Specification Glazing for a Rural Cheshire Property
The conversion at Fodens Farm required glazing that could work across several different building elements, from the new build extension to the wider courtyard and existing agricultural buildings. The architectural approach called for large areas of glass to introduce light, openness and a stronger connection to the surrounding rural landscape, while maintaining a consistent finish across the phased works.
A key challenge was the variation in scale and application. The glazing package included slim sliding door systems, shaped structural glass, double height glazing, a long glazed walkway and garage sliding doors for vehicle access. Each element needed to be designed around different opening sizes, sightline requirements, glass weights and installation conditions, while maintaining a clean and cohesive appearance alongside the traditional style brickwork used throughout the scheme.
“Working with IQ Glass was a genuine collaboration. They delivered a complex glazing package with precision and a clear understanding of how it needed to sit within both the architecture and landscape. The glazing was probably the most demanding part of the build, but IQ never made it feel that way. Their expertise, precision and outstanding tradespeople were exceptional throughout.”
R. Coleman, Homeowner
Gable End Window with Slim Sliding Glass Doors
One of the standout elements of the project is the two storey wrap around glazed gable end to the new build extension. At ground floor level, IQ Glass installed slim sliding door systems to create wide glazed openings with minimal sightlines. The front elevation spanned almost 7m and was designed as a three track system with two sliding panes and one fixed pane.
The glazing continues around the side elevations, creating one fixed glass-to-glass corner while the other side incorporates an open corner arrangement. This approach allowed the lower level of the gable end to open up to the rural landscape while preserving the minimal framing required for the overall design.
Above the sliding doors, Invisio® structural glazing was used to create the upper storey of the gable end. This section comprises fixed panes, including shaped glass units at the top to follow the form of the roof. All glazing was specified as double glazed clear toughened safety glass with low E coating and heat soak testing, helping to reduce the risk of spontaneous glass breakage caused by non-detectable inclusions within the glass.
Double Height Structural Glazing and Glazed Walkway
In addition to the gable end, IQ Glass supplied a large double height structural glazing installation positioned next to the glazed gable elevation. Measuring approximately 5.2m wide by 5.3m high, the glazing was formed from three large panes, each weighing approximately 586kg, with a crane required for installation due to the scale and weight of the glass.
The project also included a substantial structural glass wall to the walkway, measuring approximately 25.2m in length by 2.8m high. Formed from 12 glass panels and joined with black structural silicone, the glazed walkway creates a long, clean glass elevation that maintains views and daylight through the property. The glass specification included laminated interlayers, low E coatings and heat soak testing to support strength, performance and long-term reliability.
Together, these larger structural glass elements show the wider ambition of the conversion and extension, with glazing used throughout the property to modernise key areas, improve visual connections and create a consistent architectural finish across the phased works.
