Location: Wargrave, Reading
Beautifully engineered Frameless Eaves Rooflight takes centre stage in this striking single-storey gable end extension in Wargrave, Berkshire. Designed to transform a traditional semi-detached period home into a light-filled contemporary family space, the project demonstrates how advanced glazing vision and carefully considered architectural detailing can redefine the way a home connects with its surroundings.
Located in the picturesque village of Wargrave near Reading, this charming semi-detached property, originally constructed between 1950 and 1966, enjoys a peaceful countryside setting. While rich in character, the original layout lacked the open-plan living environment the homeowners desired for modern family life.
The homeowner’s brief to the architect was clear: remove the dated conservatory, extend the ground-floor footprint, and create two contemporary single-storey extensions that would introduce generous amounts of natural light while respecting the heritage of the existing home.
Planning permission had already been secured when Thames Valley Windows was invited to deliver a bespoke architectural glazing solution. Working in collaboration with Absolute Architects and Lindum Construction Services, we designed a made-to-measure solution that combined cutting-edge glass rooflights, slimline aluminium glazing, and heritage-inspired replacement windows.
The side extension was designed as a bold gable-end structure clad in black composite timber, referencing the agricultural forms of traditional Berkshire farm buildings. The dark vertical cladding provides a refined contrast against the warm red brick of the original property, achieving a sophisticated balance between old and new.
A key architectural aspiration was to create a strong visual link between two buildings, the original house and the new extensions, while maintaining a sense of cohesion. The use of expansive glazed sections ensures continuity, allowing the extension to feel fully integrated rather than added.
At the heart of the project is the innovative frameless eaves rooflight, an innovative structural glazing solution that unites vertical and horizontal glass planes into a single uninterrupted architectural feature.
Unlike glass rooflights used on flat roofs, this design integrates seamlessly at the junction between the wall and the pitched roof. Installed at a 35-degree pitch, the frameless eaves rooflights comprise two glazed sections, one vertical and one horizontal, bonded together using a structural silicone seal. This specialist structural silicone seal ensures long-term weather performance while maintaining a virtually invisible internal finish.
The result is a 90-degree arc of uninterrupted natural light that dissolves the boundary between wall and roof, creating a continuous glazing vision from floor level to ceiling.
Precision engineering strengthens the performance of this bespoke rooflight. The fixed eaves rooflight measures an impressive 3460mm (span) x 1970mm (width) x 1730mm (height), forming a dramatic glazed corner that frames panoramic views of the landscaped garden.
Key technical specifications include:
The thermally broken extruded aluminium frame ensures excellent insulation, while the glazing composition reduces solar gain and heat loss. Each unit is heat soak tested to minimise the risk of spontaneous breakage, providing peace of mind alongside exceptional clarity.
Internally, the frameless design allows the glass to meet the plaster line with only minimal visible framework, achieved using elements from our structural glazing range. This refined detailing gives the impression that the glass flows directly into the architecture.
The frameless eaves rooflights dramatically increase the amount of natural light entering the extension. By combining vertical glazing with overhead roof glazing, the living space benefits from daylight throughout the day, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
The expansive gable glazing further enhances this effect. Ultra-slim aluminium profiles, just 20mm wide, separate three large glass panels that stretch from floor to ridge, forming a spectacular picture window.
Together with the frameless eaves rooflight, this glazed elevation transforms the extension into a bright, airy space with uninterrupted views of the mature garden and surrounding countryside.
To achieve a cohesive aesthetic, our designer Liam specified a suite of contemporary aluminium systems:
Vision20 Sliding Doors
Featuring minimal 20mm sightlines, these sliding doors create a near frameless appearance. The panels glide effortlessly and can be concealed within wall pockets to enhance the minimalist design. Installed flush with the internal floor level, they provide a seamless threshold to the patio.
Aluk58BW Aluminium Windows
These powder-coated aluminium windows incorporate advanced polyamide thermal break technology, improving energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer. The system also meets PAS24 security standards, ensuring enhanced protection.
All aluminium elements were finished in black matt RAL 9005 internally and externally, aligning perfectly with the composite timber cladding.
Additionally, timber-alternative Halo flush windows were installed within the original property to preserve its period character, along with a new timber entrance door for the porch extension.
The slimline sliding doors create a powerful visual and physical connection to the garden. When the sliding doors are open, the interior living space flows effortlessly onto the patio. Even when closed, floor-to-ceiling glass maintains unobstructed views of the Berkshire landscape.
A secondary flat roof light installed within the rear extension further enhances daylight penetration and greater transparency across the open-plan layout, ensuring consistent brightness throughout both extensions.
The combined effect of these bespoke glass rooflights and sliding door systems is transformative, adding a beautiful ambience to the living spaces. The once dark and compartmentalised ground floor now feels expansive and sociable, ideal for both everyday family living and larger gatherings.
The frameless eaves rooflight draws upon advanced structural glazing principles. By bonding the glass junction with a specialist structural silicone seal, we eliminate bulky corner frames typically associated with glazed link details.
This method creates a clean internal finish and a crisp external appearance, reinforcing the architectural intent. The design also performs exceptionally well in terms of airtightness and thermal efficiency, demonstrating that aesthetic minimalism need not compromise performance.
While lead times for bespoke frameless eaves rooflights can vary depending on size and complexity, early coordination with architects and contractors ensured smooth integration within the build programme.
Inside, the vaulted ceiling enhances the sense of volume, while a centrally positioned log burner provides year-round warmth and comfort. Light wooden flooring and crisp white finishes reflect daylight around the room, amplifying the sense of openness.
The black timber cladding externally complements the refined glazing, giving the extension a bold yet timeless presence. The design respects the original building’s proportions while clearly expressing its modern addition.
This stunning Wargrave renovation exemplifies how innovative rooflights feature prominently in contemporary extension design. The frameless eaves rooflights not only elevate the architecture but also enrich daily living by strengthening the relationship between interior space and the natural environment.
By combining technical expertise, precise detailing, and a clear glazing vision, Thames Valley Windows delivered a bespoke glazing solution that is both high-performing and visually striking.
The completed project proves that a period property can evolve gracefully. Through the integration of frameless eaves rooflights, slimline sliding doors, and thermally efficient aluminium windows, the home now offers a light-filled, energy-efficient environment tailored to modern family life, without compromising its heritage charm.
Our glass rooflights are designed with durability, aesthetics, and performance at their core. Whether incorporated into pitched roofs, flat roofs, or complex glazed link structures, each installation is engineered to deliver exceptional results.
This Wargrave extension stands as a testament to thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship, a home transformed through light, innovation, and architectural precision.
You may also be interested in reading the following blogs: Why Choose Slimline Aluminium Windows For a Berkshire Property? or‘How To Use Frameless Glazing In Design?‘
Suppliers:
Architectural Designer: Liam Griffin
Architect: Absolute Architecture
Builder: Lidum Construction
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Thames Valley Window Company
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