When it comes to owning their own home, many people in the UK are opting to self-build. It is thought that around 12,000 new UK homes each year are self-built which shows the rising demand within the sector for this type of housing. When you consider the benefits of building your own home, it is easy to see why it is so popular. An individual that self-builds gets a unique home that is designed to satisfy personal tastes and needs, to the last detail, and at a lower cost. In addition, you can load it with as much of the latest tech as you like, and they are very often much more eco-friendly due to the materials used.
One of the barriers that many people face when considering a self-build is that a high level of expertise will be needed to do it. That is not true! Of course, there are many jobs that need doing to the right standards and legal requirements, but you do not need to do everything yourself. Many self-builders will in effect project manage their build, while allowing professionals to handle jobs they don’t fancy or are not qualified to complete. It must be said though that many self-build tasks do not require a high level of DIY skill and can be successfully completed by people that are physically able.
One such job that you may want to try is installing a glass wall in your new home.
Installing a glass wall on your next building project
If you are thinking of installing a stylish glass wall in your next building project, then here are a few pointers to help you:
- Prep is key – one really important aspect in handling the installation process with glass walls is to do it when the build site is free of wet or dusty tasks. When that is the case, then you need to ensure the area that the glass wall will fit into is free of any dust or loose particles. Also, remember to have factored in any load bearing concerns that may be necessary for the area in the new building where the glass wall is to be sited.
- Install profiles and frames – next you need to fit the track profiles that the glass walls will sit on and the frames they will fit into in the desired area. Take your time here to make sure these are all level and in the correct positions. If needed use packers for the track profiles to help get the right fit.
- Install glazing – once you have the frames and profiles in place, then you can install the glazing itself. Naturally the glass should be handled with the greatest of care to avoid any chips or cracks. Once you are happy that the glass is in position then use the correct materials to fix it in place. After installation, for safety reasons, check again that it is secure and is level.
Keep it stylish
While the actual practicalities of installing a glass wall in your new home are key, you should also consider the design elements. After all, you want it to look great as well as being structurally sound.
When it comes to home design, glass walls are popular for a few reasons. Firstly, they are superb for letting extra light into rooms. They can very often open up a room that would not be very functional into one you can spend time in. Glass walls are also very handy for rooms with low ceilings which can feel claustrophobic otherwise. The additional light the glass wall creates is great for making the space appear larger than it actually is.
If your next project is a small property with just one room for the kitchen and living area, a glass wall can really help. The wall will help divide up the space into two distinct sections without being obtrusive in any way.
Of course, there are many stylish ways to build your new glass wall. You can use coloured glass to give a particular effect or leave it as a full wall of standard glass for maximum aesthetic appeal. Many people also use them to connect the inside of their homes with the outside, thereby improving the view onto a garden.
Safety for glass walls
Of course, when installing your new glass wall, you need to think about the safety aspect. That is a major concern and is something you need to be aware and on top of. Firstly, you need to think about the glass itself that you will use. Many people use fire resistant glass in their glass walls for the superb safety features it provides. That sort of glass gives superior protection if fire breaks out in your home. Along with the standard properties found in normal glass, it really is a recommended security measure against fire. If you opt to use other than special fire-resistant glass, you would still need to use the correct type of safety glass required by UK building regulations.
As with all building projects, the best advice is to check the relevant building regulations to make sure everything is completed in compliance with the rules. It is not worth taking any chances and then having to redo all your hard work when you find out something has not been done correctly.
Glass wall installation made simple
As you can see from the above guide, installing a glass wall into your next building project need not be a major problem. As long as you are confident in what you are doing, have checked the relevant building regs and take your time, you should end up with an attractive finished wall. It will really give you a great sense of satisfaction, especially when you finally move into your new self-build home. The extra light and feeling of space it brings to a home is a great feature that you will be sure to love.