Ashley Road

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Located on Ashley Road in Walton on Thames, this project involved the complete redevelopment of an outdated rear extension to create a refined glazed extension in Walton on Thames that would elevate both the functionality and architectural quality of the home. Designed by Dyer Grimes Architects, the new scheme replaces a poorly planned two storey addition with a contemporary L shaped extension formed from slim framed sliding glass elevations and a walk on glass roof terrace above. IQ Glass was appointed as the specialist glazing subcontractor, delivering a suite of high-performance glazing systems across three elevations to achieve a bright, modern living environment.

The aim was to create a home that maximised natural light, reorganised internal circulation and established a stronger connection to the rear garden, all wrapped in a restrained architectural palette.

Products Used

Featured In

Home Building and Renovating March 2017

Project Partners

Dyer Grimes Architects

Location

Walton on Thames

Reworking an Inefficient Existing Layout

Prior to redevelopment, the property suffered from a cluttered interior arrangement that did not reflect its scale. The previous double storey rear extension added bulk without offering any real spatial benefit. Its configuration blocked light, restricted views and failed to connect the living areas to the garden. The homeowners sought a more coherent and efficient plan organised around contemporary open plan living, where daylight, transparency and garden access would sit at the heart of everyday use.

Gaining permission to demolish the existing extension and replace it with a new structure required a sensitive approach given the scale of alterations to both the façade and interior. The challenge was to create a confident contemporary language while maintaining harmony with the original house and meeting Elmbridge Borough Council’s requirements. The final design introduces a low, metal clad, single storey extension that sits lightly within the rear garden while dramatically improving internal spatial quality.

A Three Sided Sliding Glass Façade for Full Garden Connection

To bring clarity and openness to the new living spaces, IQ Glass designed a three-elevation glazed façade using a slim framed aluminium sliding system standing 3.2 metres tall. Across all elevations, the glazing uses insulated glass with a low e coating to ensure excellent thermal performance. The glazing follows a distinctive 90 degree zig zag configuration that enhances the architectural geometry of the extension.

The first elevation, measuring 4.2m wide, is formed from two frameless fixed panes meeting the next elevation at a clean 90-degree glass corner. The second elevation is a three panel, three track sliding arrangement spanning 5.5m, meeting the final elevation through a steel post. The third elevation, at 7m wide, is a four panel, four track system that slides in both directions to open the entire façade when required. The result is an exceptionally transparent envelope where nearly all elevations can be fully opened, creating a seamless transition between interior and garden. The frames were finished in RAL 7011 to complement the surrounding metal cladding and unify the architectural aesthetic.

A Glazed Roof Terrace with Walk On Glass Floors and Frameless Balustrades

To maximise the penetration of daylight into the extension, IQ Glass also provided two walk-on glass floor panels integrated into the roof terrace. These structural glass floors measure 5.2m by 1.1m and 3m by 1.1m respectively, and use a triple laminated toughened outer pane with an anti slip ceramic frit pattern to a double glazed unit. They introduce daylight into the living space below while creating a usable terrace surface for the first floor bedrooms.

Around the perimeter of the terrace, IQ Glass installed a frameless glass balustrade with polished edges, standing 1.1m tall and fixed with a hidden clamp base. The balustrade wraps the three external sides of the terrace across a depth of 2.5m by 6 metres wide, ensuring safety without introducing visual bulk. An internal frameless glass balustrade was also installed to a void within the home, echoing the minimalism of the exterior detailing and allowing light to pass unobstructed through the circulation spaces.

Performance, Architecture and Added Value

The extension at Ashley Road demonstrates how contemporary glazing can redefine the character of a suburban home. The slim sliding glass door system used here incorporates 21mm sash profiles, high thermal performance, air permeability class 4, rain resistance class 8A and wind load resistance class C4/B5, providing excellent durability and comfort for long term use. The design’s combination of modern materials, panoramic openings and carefully considered detailing significantly enhances the property’s architectural identity.

Elmbridge remains one of the most desirable residential areas in the country, and projects of this nature often contribute to a measurable uplift in property value. By replacing an inefficient, visually heavy extension with a clean and elegant glazed form, the home’s relationship with its garden has been completely renewed, supporting both daily living and long term investment.

Technical Snippet

Three elevation slim framed aluminium sliding façade constructed using thermally broken aluminium sliding door system, all standing 3.2m tall and a 21mm frame.

Elevation One measured 4.2m wide in two frameless fixed panes. Detail: connected to elevation two via a 90 degree frameless glass corner, maintaining visual continuity.

Elevation Two measured 5.5m wide in a three panel, three track sliding door system.

Elevation Three measured 7m wide in a four panel, four track slider, with all panels sliding in both directions and no fixed panes.

Glazing build‑up:

8 mm toughened outer pane

14 mm argon gas cavity

8 mm inner pane with low e coating.

Frame finish: powder coated to RAL 7011.

Two external walk-on structural glass floors installed at roof terrace level.

Panel 1: 5.2 m long x 1.1 m wide

Panel 2: 3 m long x 1.1 m wide

Glass Specification:

Outer leaf: 3 x 10 mm clear toughened laminated with PVB interlayers, including anti slip dot matrix ceramic frit in black

16 mm argon gas cavity

Inner leaf: 2 x 6 mm clear toughened laminated with PVB and low e coating

Designed for full structural walk on performance with low maintenance surface coating.

External frameless balustrade defining all three sides of the roof terrace, measuring approximately 2.5m by 6m in plan.

Height: 1.1 metres from finished floor level.

Specification: 2 x 10 mm clear toughened laminated glass with Ionoplast interlayer, polished edges, base fixed with a hidden clamp to preserve the minimalist aesthetic.

Internal frameless balustrade to an interior void, measuring 1.8m wide, using 2 x 10 mm clear toughened laminated glass with PVB interlayer, base fixed with concealed clamp detail.

Glazed Extensions in Walton on Thames

For architects, developers and homeowners designing a glazed extension in Walton on Thames or planning a luxury redevelopment within Elmbridge, this project demonstrates how precision engineered glazing can transform the quality of internal space. Ashley Road shows the impact of using slim framed systems, frameless glass detailing and walk on glazing to elevate both daylight and lifestyle within a modern family home.

If you are exploring a similar project or require specialist glazing advice for a contemporary extension, IQ Glass can provide feasibility guidance, performance analysis and bespoke glazing solutions tailored to your architectural vision. Contact our technical team to begin your project.