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Projects
Luxury Homes
Water End House

Located in Hertfordshire, Water End House is a contemporary renovation and extension designed by Kirkland Fraser Moor Architects that uses extensive structural glazing to connect the home with its surrounding landscape.

Working alongside Frithsden Construction, IQ delivered a comprehensive glazing package featuring oversized Minimal Windows sliding doors, frameless structural glass elevations, walk-on glazing, rooflights and internal glass features. Together, these systems create a bright and open family home where natural light becomes a defining architectural element.

Products Used

Project Partners

Quintin Lake

Kirkland Fraser Moor

Location

Berkhamsted

new build house in hertfordshire country

Water End House external sliding door system

Maximising Views with Minimal Windows Sliding Doors

Large expanses of glazing were central to the architectural vision for Water End House. To achieve uninterrupted views across the gardens, oversized Minimal Windows sliding doors were specified throughout the new extension.

The largest installation spans over 10 metres wide and features a two-track configuration with central bi-parting opening panels and fixed outer panes. Using Minimal Windows allowed the glazing to be supported with exceptionally slim profiles, including a 95mm meeting stile, placing the focus firmly on the surrounding views rather than the framing.

A second large-scale sliding door system measuring 7.3 metres wide continues this transparent aesthetic, opening the living spaces directly onto external terraces and creating a seamless flow between inside and outside.

The result is a series of living spaces that feel intrinsically connected to the landscape throughout the year.

Frameless Structural Glazing Throughout the Extension

Alongside the sliding glass doors, several elevations were constructed using frameless-effect structural glazing.

Large fixed glass walls up to 8.1 metres wide provide uninterrupted sightlines and maximise daylight penetration into the property. Silicone-jointed glass panels eliminate the need for bulky framing systems, allowing entire elevations to be read as single glazed surfaces.

These structural glass installations work alongside the Minimal Windows systems to create a consistent architectural language across the extension, balancing transparency with high performance.

By minimising visible structure, the glazing allows the surrounding gardens and mature landscape to become an integral part of the interior design.

Bringing Daylight Deep Into the Home

Natural daylight was an important consideration throughout the design of Water End House.

To illuminate the centre of the property, a large internal walk-on glass floor was installed above a lightwell. Measuring 3.4m x 2m, the structural glass floor allows daylight to pass between levels while maintaining a usable circulation space above.

The walk-on glazing features a sandblasted anti-slip finish, providing both privacy and practicality without restricting light transmission.

While the large sliding doors and structural glass elevations create the most dramatic architectural statements, a series of high-performance aluminium casement windows and doors were also incorporated throughout Water End House.

bespoke structural glass rooflights positioned throughout the extension. These include frameless fixed rooflights and an automated opening rooflight that provides both natural ventilation and overhead daylight.

Together, these glazing elements create bright internal spaces that remain naturally illuminated throughout the day.

Contemporary Internal Glass Features

Inside the home, frameless glass elements maintain the open-plan character of the architecture.

A frameless glass balustrade surrounds an internal bridge, preserving clear sightlines across the interior and allowing natural light to travel freely through the building. Low-iron glass was specified to ensure maximum clarity and minimise the visual presence of the balustrade.

A bespoke internal sliding glass screen was also incorporated to divide spaces when required without compromising the sense of openness that defines the project.

These internal features complement the extensive external glazing and reinforce the minimalist design approach adopted throughout the house.

Technical Details

10.2m Wide Minimal Windows Sliding Door System
A two-track Minimal Windows installation measuring 10.2m wide x 2.8m high. The system features two central bi-parting sliding panels with fixed outer panes, creating a vast glazed opening with a slim 95mm meeting stile and oversized glass panels for uninterrupted views across the garden.
7.3m Wide Minimal Windows Sliding Door System
A second oversized sliding glass door measuring 7.3m wide x 2.9m high. Configured with central bi-parting sliding panels and fixed outer panes, the system provides seamless access to the external terrace while maintaining the minimalist aesthetic throughout the extension.
Large-Scale Structural Glass Elevations
Multiple frameless-effect structural glass screens were installed throughout the project, including elevations up to 8.1m wide and 2.8m high. Silicone-jointed glazing eliminates bulky framing, allowing entire façades to appear as continuous sheets of glass with uninterrupted views and maximum daylight transmission.
Walk-On Structural Glass Floorlight
A bespoke walk-on glass floor measuring 3.4m x 2.0m was installed above an internal lightwell. Constructed from four structurally glazed panels with an anti-slip sandblasted finish, the floorlight allows natural light to pass between levels while maintaining privacy and safe circulation.

14.9m Frameless Glass Balustrade
Low-iron frameless glass balustrades surround an internal bridge at ground floor level. The 14.9m long installation is base-fixed within a concealed channel system, maintaining open views through the building and reinforcing the minimalist interior design.
High-Specification Aluminium Casement Windows and Doors
A range of side-hung, tilt-and-turn and fixed aluminium casement units were installed throughout the property, providing ventilation, privacy and secondary access points whilst maintaining a consistent contemporary aesthetic across the glazing package.
Architectural Finish
All aluminium framing was finished in RAL 7021 Anthracite Grey, providing a contemporary appearance that complements both the structural glazing and the material palette of the extension.

Whether you're planning a contemporary extension, a complete new-build home or a large-scale renovation, Water End House demonstrates how specialist glazing can transform the quality of a living space. From oversized Minimal Windows sliding doors and structural glass elevations to bespoke rooflights and walk-on glazing, every element was designed to maximise natural light, enhance views and create a stronger connection to the surrounding landscape.

If you're looking to incorporate architectural glazing into your next residential project, contact the IQ Glass team to discuss bespoke glass solutions tailored to your design.

Associated Products

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.