The Boat House

Riverfront property in Devon

The Boat House is a renovated riverfront property in Devon, positioned on the banks of the River Dart at the junction between the main river and Mill Pool. Carved into the steep riverbank, the property overlooks the historic Stoke Gabriel Mill Pool Dam and required a glazing package that could modernise the building while preserving its riverside character.

IQ Glass provided the architectural glazing package, combining slim sliding glass doors, slim pivot doors, bespoke aluminium windows and solar control glass within the retained red brick exterior. The glazing was designed to replace heavier historic openings with minimal framed systems that improve daylight, expand river views and support the renewed use of the building as a luxury two-bedroom home.

The result is a carefully detailed renovation where slim aluminium framing, high-performance glass and dual-colour finishes improve the connection to the river without compromising the material identity of the late 19th-century building.

Products Used

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Location

Saint Gabriel, Devon
silver patio door in riverfront property in Devon
flush threshold door on riverfront property in Devon overlooking the river

Riverfront property in Devon

Set on the river's edge, this late 19th-century building has been sensitively modernised while retaining the character of its red brick envelope. Originally used as a boathouse, with the upper floor once serving as the shipwright's accommodation, the building was later converted into a two-storey home.

The existing large-framed timber doors overlooking the river were replaced with slim framed aluminium sliding doors. This allowed the river-facing elevation to achieve a more open glazed appearance while keeping the intervention visually controlled against the original brickwork.

This riverfront property in Devon sits within a sensitive waterside setting, the frame finish was carefully considered. The aluminium systems use a dual-colour design, with natural silver anodising internally and a specialist red-brown anodised finish externally. This allows the glazing to support a contemporary interior while externally referencing the darker timber window and door frames seen locally.

Slim sliding glass doors for riverside views

IQ Glass installed slim framed sliding glass doors to replace the heavier timber doors on the river-facing elevation. The thermally broken aluminium framing and insulated glass units create an almost frameless glass elevation, allowing views across the River Dart and Mill Pool to become the focus of the internal spaces.

A combination of linear sliding doors, pocket sliding doors and slim pivot doors was used across the renovation. This allowed the glazing package to respond to different openings and access requirements while maintaining a consistent slim aluminium language across the property.

Bespoke aluminium bay glazing with dual-colour frames

One of the strongest views from the property is from the upper floor, where the original timber bay window was replaced with a bespoke arrangement of aluminium framing and clear glass.

The new bay window maximises views across the river and Stoke Gabriel Mill Pool Dam while supporting the more contemporary internal design of the home. Like the sliding door systems, the bay glazing uses a dual-colour frame finish, with natural silver anodising internally and a red-brown anodised exterior finish to sit more comfortably within the retained red brick façade.

This detail allows the glazing to improve transparency and view quality without disconnecting the renovated building from its riverside context.

slim sliding doors riverfront property in Devon
bespoke glazing designs to the riverfront property in Devon

Performance considerations

Performance requirements for The Boat House were shaped by the riverside location, the need for minimal sightlines and the requirement to control solar gain while maintaining clear views across the River Dart.

All glass within the sliding doors and window elements was heat soak tested and specified with a neutral solar control coating. The coating provides 70% light transmission with a solar factor, or g-value, of 35%, allowing high levels of daylight into the interior while filtering infrared solar radiation to help reduce overheating.

The slim sliding door systems use thermally broken aluminium framing with insulated glass units, supporting thermal performance while maintaining the minimal appearance required for the river-facing elevation. The use of solar control glass was particularly important for this riverfront property in Devon, where large glazed openings were needed to frame the water without creating excessive internal heat gain.

The combination of slim sliding doors, pivot doors, bespoke aluminium windows and high-performance glass allowed the renovation to improve comfort, daylight and views while retaining the controlled detailing required for a historic riverside building.

Technical details

  • Slim framed sliding doors: 21mm sightline; max tested sliding pane 8.5m² up to 4.0m 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 linear and pocket sliding configurations to suit different riverside openings
  • Structural glazing: thermally broken fixing system; 63mm profile depth; max glass thickness 41.5mm; expected Uw 1.1 W/m²K; minimum fixing setback 55mm; profile height 60mm; structure deflection allowance 5mm; used as part of the wider riverside glazing package where frameless glass was required
  • Solar control glass: heat soak tested glass units used within the sliding doors and window elements; neutral solar control coating with 70% light transmission and 35% g-value to reduce solar radiation while maintaining clear views across the River Dart
  • Bespoke aluminium windows: dual-colour anodised finish with natural silver anodising internally and red-brown anodising externally; upper floor bay glazing designed to replace the original timber bay window and maximise views across the river and Mill Pool Dam
  • Slim pivot doors: slim aluminium pivot door configurations incorporated within the wider glazing package to provide access while maintaining consistent frame finishes and minimal sightlines

Riverside glazing for heritage renovation projects

The Boat House shows how a historic riverside building can be upgraded with slim architectural glazing while retaining the character of its original material envelope.

This approach is well suited to architects and specifiers working on heritage renovations where slim sliding doors, pivot doors, bespoke aluminium windows and solar control glass need to be coordinated with retained masonry and sensitive waterside views.

Interested in a similar glazing package for a riverfront property? Get in touch with us for technical advice.

Associated Products

luxury new build home with minimal glass facade

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.
large pivot door to london extension

Slim Pivot Doors

Slim pivot doors feature a minimalistic design and operate on a pivot system. They are ideal for modern homes and offer a sleek and elegant aesthetic while maximising space.

Solar Control Glass

Solar control glass is used in buildings to reduce heat gain and glare from the sun. It can also help to conserve energy and improve occupant comfort and productivity.

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