Issue 44 winter 24 - Journal - Page 47
Ion Glass MD Peter Hazeldean comments, ‘This was an
interesting installation, involving a significant number of
fully bespoke double-glazed panels. Each vertical panel of
the glass link had to fit perfectly around the carved
stonework of the building: we use sophisticated digital
measuring techniques to ensure accurate measurements
around every surface including carved stonework and out
of true walls.
The rooflights were designed to interface seamlessly with
the link whilst including a slight angle to allow for adequate run off of rainwater. All our rooflights meet snow
loading requirements as well…and of course, the use of
double-glazed panels throughout ensures the glass meets
all heat loss and structural requirements.
Another challenge was the height of the building and the
necessity to deploy a mini-spider crane to manoeuvre the
glass panels into place across the top of the roof - but our
teams are used to working in many different and sensitive
environments and managing all the associated logistics.
It’s not just churches and public buildings that can be
improved, developed or extended with glass structures.
Many individual home owners have commissioned Ion
Glass to design and install some bold glass structures to
enhance their properties.
Above, Manthorpe internal link & rooflight
Below, Manthorpe church, glass cut out around stone wall
The owners of this Tudor-framed house engaged the
services of Ion Glass to install a frameless structural glass
extension to enclose a stairwell that forms part of a new
rear extension. Deceptively simple, the entire structure
is created from just three over-sized, fully bespoke
double-glazed panels. Fully frameless for a minimal
aesthetic, a single panel of glass is an impressive two
storeys high, whilst the glass roof panel over the entire
structure perfectly matches the pitch of the original tiled
roof. This ultra-modern addition to a very traditional
home meets all building regulations and structural
requirements.
Owners of a barn conversion near Reading transformed
a traditional farm building with the addition of a very
contemporary glass porch, created entirely from frameless
structural glass. ‘This porch truly pushes the boundaries
in structural glass,’ says Peter Hazeldean. ‘Fully frameless,
even the structural beams and fins are made from glass,
with the glass side and front panels set into fully concealed
floor channels. The slope of the structure is angled to
match the steep slope of the barn roof and is created from
just four huge panels of laminated and toughened glass.
A fully secure frameless glass door is set into the front
end of the porch, making this installation a practical
and functional addition to the barn - as well as a truly
impressive style statement!’
Offering a fully bespoke product means that Ion Glass can
work with each individual client to achieve a result
that meets all the requirements, ensuring the new glass
structure takes into account all the nuances of the original
Above, Manthorpe church from above, showing the glass rooflight’
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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