Glovers Barn

Glass extension to a listed barn

Glovers Barn is a glass extension to a listed barn, designed by Stamos Yeoh Architects to transform a derelict 15th-century building into a sustainable contemporary home. The Grade II listed barn was included on the Historic Buildings at Risk Register and required a sensitive renovation that could introduce daylight and usable living space without compromising its historic character.

IQ supplied the architectural glazing package, including slim framed sliding glass doors, aluminium windows and recessed structural roof glazing. These elements were coordinated with the existing timber structure to frame garden views, expose the original rafters and create a stronger relationship between the internal living spaces and the surrounding landscape.

The completed renovation preserves the historic fabric of the barn while introducing a light-filled extension designed around modern family life and home working.

Products Used

Featured In

The Sunday Times

Project Partners

Architects: Stamos Yeoh Architects

Location

Harlow

Glass extension to a listed barn with sensitive contemporary detailing

The principal challenge was to convert a dark and constrained Grade II listed barn into a comfortable home while retaining the structure and character that defined the original agricultural building.

The south-west-facing extension replaced a former 67m² wrap-around lean-to and outshot structure, extending a further 1915mm towards the garden. A flat roof and glazed rear façade were used to introduce daylight and views without creating an imposing addition to the historic barn.

The glazing was treated as a contemporary intervention rather than an imitation of the original architecture. Slim aluminium profiles, recessed roof glazing and muted finishes allow the new elements to remain visually distinct while responding sensitively to the existing timber, masonry and exposed structural features.

This approach allows the glass extension to a listed barn to support modern requirements without overwhelming the scale or material character of the original building.

Slim sliding doors aligned with the barn structure

Slim framed sliding glass doors define the rear elevation, opening the kitchen and family spaces towards the mature garden. Flush threshold detailing creates level access between the interior and exterior living areas while maintaining a controlled junction at the base of the glazed façade.

The 3m-high sliding door profiles were globally aligned with the joists and supporting structural beams. This creates a consistent vertical rhythm across the elevation and ensures the minimal frames appear integrated with the barn structure rather than applied independently.

The sliding doors maximise daylight and garden views while providing the large opening required for contemporary family living.

Recessed roof glazing between exposed rafters

A recessed structural roof glazing unit was installed within the extension to expose the original barn rafters and bring daylight into the centre of the living space.

Positioning the glass between the existing structural elements allows the historic timberwork to remain visible while introducing a clear distinction between the original building and the contemporary intervention.

The exposed lattice steel diagrid roof complements the retained barn structure, bringing traditional and contemporary construction together without concealing the character of either.

Performance considerations

Performance requirements at Glovers Barn focused on improving daylight, thermal efficiency and internal comfort while protecting the architectural character of the Grade II listed building.

The south-west-facing glass elevation increases natural light throughout the home, reducing reliance on artificial lighting during the day. Thermally broken aluminium frames improve insulation across the windows and doors, while specialist coated glass helps control solar gain and reduce heat transfer through the glazed elevations.

The recessed structural roof glazing brings additional daylight into the deeper areas of the plan without obscuring the original rafters. Large aluminium windows were also positioned throughout the ground floor to distribute daylight and frame views from the principal living spaces.

Together, these elements allow the glass extension to a listed barn to provide the thermal performance and comfort required for a contemporary home while remaining a controlled and visually lightweight addition to the historic structure.

Technical details

  • Slim framed sliding doors: 21mm sightline; max tested sliding pane 8.5m² up to 4m high and 500kg; glass thickness 26–32mm; typical Uw >1.1 W/m²K; Air Class 4 / Driving Rain Class 7A / Wind Class C4/B5; sound insulation up to 39dB; PAS 24 security; project used 3m-high doors globally aligned with the structural joists and beams
  • Structural roof glazing: thermally broken fixing section; max glass thickness 37.5mm; expected Uw 1.2 W/m²K; 95mm profile height; 150mm minimum upstand; recessed within the roof to expose the original barn rafters and introduce daylight
  • Aluminium windows: thermally broken aluminium frames with specialist coated glass to improve insulation, reduce solar gain and maximise daylight across the ground-floor living spaces
  • Flush threshold detail: level transition between the kitchen and external living areas, connecting the new extension with the mature gardens
  • Extension configuration: replaces a former 67m² wrap-around lean-to and outshot structure; new extension projects a further 1915mm towards the garden

Architectural glazing for listed barn renovations

Glovers Barn demonstrates how contemporary glazing can be integrated into a historic agricultural building without concealing or competing with its original structure.

This approach is suited to architects and specifiers working on listed barns and heritage renovations where slim sliding doors, structural roof glazing and high-performance aluminium windows must be coordinated with retained timber and masonry.

Planning a glass extension to a listed barn? Contact IQ Glass for technical advice on heritage glazing, slim sliding door configurations, structural roof glazing and sensitive interfaces with historic building fabric.

Associated Products

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Slim Framed Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding doors with ultra-slim sightlines, offering only the highest levels of performance and durability.
Aluminium windows

Aluminium Windows

Aluminium windows are versatile and durable, with applications in residential and commercial buildings. They are energy efficient, low maintenance, and available in a range of colours and styles.
a large glass roof over a side infill extension with white walls

Structural Glass Roofs

Frameless structural glass roofs for contemporary homes. UK design, manufacture and installation.

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