SPONSORED FEATURE
Light-Filled Contemporary Retreat
O
verlooking the rolling valley towards Hemploe Hill, near the Leicestershire-
Northamptonshire border, this home has been a delight to live in, according to Alec. He describes how “even on dull days, the house fl oods with light, lifting your mood.” With its stunning views and carefully designed features, the home showcases a perfect blend of contemporary style and energy effi ciency.
PROJECT INFORMATION Sector: New Build Architect: Roderick James Homeowners: Alec and Stephanie Wilson peci ed for Slim Profi le Uniform Sightlines Large Sizes Thermal Performance Photographer: Simon Maxwell
CHOOSING VELFAC FOR A SECOND TIME For retired builder Alec, this is the second home he has built for his family, and ust like the fi rst, he opted for VELFAC windows. ’d used LX roofl ights in many building projects over the years, but I hadn’t used VELFAC vertical glazing until built my fi rst self-build in . Back then, the windows were made entirely of wood, both internally and externally. They were great, but when I discovered that the newer versions feature a composite construction with an aluminium external frame, I didn’t hesitate for a moment in choosing VELFAC again.” The Wilsons had lived in their
previous self-build family home for a decade. It was a large, oak-framed house featuring extensive glazing at the rear to maximise the views. However, retirement prompted Alec and Stephanie to take on another self- build project. This time, they wanted a smaller, more contemporary home that would be highly energy-effi cient and cost-effective to maintain.
MAXIMISING LIGHT AND VIEWS Wanting to stay in Leicestershire, they found a plot that already had a s bungalow on site. While the location was ideal, the bungalow itself was surrounded by tall Leylandii trees, and its positioning did not make the most of the sweeping countryside views. Fortunately, they obtained planning permission to demolish the existing structure and start fresh. This gave them the opportunity to design a new home that was perfectly positioned to maximise both natural light and the surrounding landscape. The ouglas fi r-framed home consists of two sections—one single-storey and one two-storey—angled strategically to create privacy. A fully glazed, single- storey entrance connects the two parts, creating a bright and welcoming space. The two-storey section houses the
bedrooms. The primary bedroom suite, located on the fi rst fl oor, includes a spacious living area that opens onto a balcony via a huge 3.5m VELFAC sliding door with fi xed lights on either side. This setup offers uninterrupted views across the valley and fl oods the space with natural light.
Meanwhile, the main living, dining, and kitchen area is situated within the single-storey part of the home. A large, electrically operated roof lantern above the dining table ensures an abundance of daylight while also providing ventilation in the summer months. The entire south-facing wall is glazed to take full advantage of the garden and the picturesque countryside beyond.
MANAGING SOLAR GAIN To manage solar gain effectively, a verandah spans the full length of the building. Four VELFAC sliding doors
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open onto the verandah, with fi xed lights positioned between each door. This confi guration provides the ideal balance between easy outdoor access and protection from strong winds that could send papers fl ying inside. Alec describes this as his favourite part of the house: “There are no windowsills or blinds to obstruct the view. I love it when the weather outside is wild, and we’re sitting indoors, all cosy, watching it unfold.”
TRIPLE GLAZING FOR THE PERFECTIONIST nergy effi ciency and low-maintenance living were top priorities for Alec and Stephanie. In addition to the high thermal performance of VELFAC double-glaed windows and doors, the house benefi ts from a range of sustainable features, including a ground source heat pump, solar thermal panels, and a rainwater harvesting system. However, Alec has one minor regret: “I wish I had opted for triple glazing instead of double glazing. Don’t get me wrong—the VELFAC double glazing performs beautifully, but there’s a part of me that wishes I had gone the extra mile in terms of energy effi ciency. Triple glaing would have truly satisfi ed the perfectionist in me.”
Despite this, the home is everything Alec and Stephanie envisioned—a contemporary, light-fi lled, and energy- effi cient retreat that blends seamlessly into its beautiful surroundings. By incorporating VELFAC windows and doors, they have created a home that not only maximises natural light and stunning views but is also designed for long-term sustainability and comfort.
01480 10 elfaccouk
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