Architecture
Glass Ceilings That Prove the Sky's the Limit
Adding natural light, warmth and views, glass ceilings are elevating the elegance of the roof
‘Glass ceiling’ may be the metaphor for the barriers women experience in the workplace, but here, ‘glass ceiling’ is as literal as it gets. These houses all have rooms and spaces with glorious glass ceilings – or is that glass roofs? Glass, as a roofing material, takes advantages of natural sunlight, minimising the need for artificial lighting. It can also help make a room feel more open, offering views of the sky, landscape and surrounding vegetation, while still protecting the interior of the house from external elements. Insulation and double glazing can protect against excessive heat gains, while reflective and conductive insulation can minimise heat loss during winter.
Here are glass ceilings that prove the sky’s the limit when it comes to home design, and some good-to-know tips for installing glass panels.
Here are glass ceilings that prove the sky’s the limit when it comes to home design, and some good-to-know tips for installing glass panels.
Retractable roof
If too much glare proves to be an issue with a glass ceiling, then a retractable awning can help control how much sun shines through. The open-plan living space on the top level of this contemporary home has a glass roof with retractable awning, but when it’s open, the movement of light warms the concrete and brings the architecture to life.
The architects who asked ‘what if?’
If too much glare proves to be an issue with a glass ceiling, then a retractable awning can help control how much sun shines through. The open-plan living space on the top level of this contemporary home has a glass roof with retractable awning, but when it’s open, the movement of light warms the concrete and brings the architecture to life.
The architects who asked ‘what if?’
Window-filled walkway
Here, a glass-enclosed walkway between an existing house and a rear addition provides a connection designed to make the user feel like they’re outdoors, while still protected from the weather or climate. This glass ceiling not only offers views of the trees above, but the glass sliding doors also allow you to become immersed in the courtyard and garden to either side.
Here, a glass-enclosed walkway between an existing house and a rear addition provides a connection designed to make the user feel like they’re outdoors, while still protected from the weather or climate. This glass ceiling not only offers views of the trees above, but the glass sliding doors also allow you to become immersed in the courtyard and garden to either side.
Exposed entry
The entryway of this country home is marked with a glass-roofed space that splices the horizontal volume of the house. The entry has doors for accessing either side of the house, while allowing for plenty of natural light and enhancing its passive design.
The entryway of this country home is marked with a glass-roofed space that splices the horizontal volume of the house. The entry has doors for accessing either side of the house, while allowing for plenty of natural light and enhancing its passive design.
Blissful bathroom
These beautiful bathrooms are designed for the luxury of bathing under an open sky, the stars or in the great outdoors – but without concern for the weather or creepy crawlies. With glass roofs, the bathrooms are light and bright and feel as fresh as the views outside.
Of course privacy plays an important factor when it comes to glass-ceilinged bathrooms, so best to determine sightlines so the neighbours can’t see in.
These beautiful bathrooms are designed for the luxury of bathing under an open sky, the stars or in the great outdoors – but without concern for the weather or creepy crawlies. With glass roofs, the bathrooms are light and bright and feel as fresh as the views outside.
Of course privacy plays an important factor when it comes to glass-ceilinged bathrooms, so best to determine sightlines so the neighbours can’t see in.
Breezy box
It’s a glass top and sides for this box-like extension to a London home. With expansive glass sliding doors and a glass roof, the dining space is airy and light-filled and opens directly onto the deck. High-performance glazing regulates glare and temperature in summer and winter.
Read more renovation stories
It’s a glass top and sides for this box-like extension to a London home. With expansive glass sliding doors and a glass roof, the dining space is airy and light-filled and opens directly onto the deck. High-performance glazing regulates glare and temperature in summer and winter.
Read more renovation stories
See-through space
This glass dining nook is located in a pocket of space that was once a backdoor entryway and shed. Now, however, it’s an airy space that filters into the entire kitchen and living area while offering views and easy access outside.
This glass dining nook is located in a pocket of space that was once a backdoor entryway and shed. Now, however, it’s an airy space that filters into the entire kitchen and living area while offering views and easy access outside.
Lofty living
This Californian house is composed of two volumes linked by a glass-ceilinged living room, which not only unites each end of the house, but also inside and out. With a glass ceiling, the room has spectacular views of the coastal landscape and is designed to conform to the natural contours of the land.
This Californian house is composed of two volumes linked by a glass-ceilinged living room, which not only unites each end of the house, but also inside and out. With a glass ceiling, the room has spectacular views of the coastal landscape and is designed to conform to the natural contours of the land.
Good To Know
While a glass ceiling or roof is a stunning addition to a home or extension, here are some important tips are that good to know.
Size
Glass roofs are typically composed of smaller panels that are combined and reinforced with glass, aluminium or steel to make a whole. They may be prefabricated in set sizes or custom made to fit a specific size, shape and configuration.
While a glass ceiling or roof is a stunning addition to a home or extension, here are some important tips are that good to know.
Size
Glass roofs are typically composed of smaller panels that are combined and reinforced with glass, aluminium or steel to make a whole. They may be prefabricated in set sizes or custom made to fit a specific size, shape and configuration.
Types of glass
For safety reasons, toughened (or tempered) and/or laminated glass panels are typically installed as they usually shatter in small pieces when broken. This is because smaller particles are relatively harmless compared with the sharp splinters that result from breaking annealed glass.
For safety reasons, toughened (or tempered) and/or laminated glass panels are typically installed as they usually shatter in small pieces when broken. This is because smaller particles are relatively harmless compared with the sharp splinters that result from breaking annealed glass.
Double and triple glazing
Double and triple glazing improves the heat and sound insulation, strength and safety of glass panels.
Double and triple glazing improves the heat and sound insulation, strength and safety of glass panels.
Glazing is designed to allow optimal levels of natural light to enter a room while allowing visibility to the outside world. Glazing can also prevent bi-directional heat transfer, preventing heat from leaving an interior in the winter, while keeping it out during the summer. This helps to keep energy bills lower, protects the environment and improves indoor air quality. Double and triple glazing also provide acoustic protection, reducing exterior noise heard inside.
Other glazing options
There are a multitude of different glazing options available that are designed to meet specific needs. For example, tinted and low emission (low-e) glass reduce solar heat gain. Dynamic, self-tinting glass can adjust itself automatically to continuously adapt to the sun and changing environmental conditions.
There are a multitude of different glazing options available that are designed to meet specific needs. For example, tinted and low emission (low-e) glass reduce solar heat gain. Dynamic, self-tinting glass can adjust itself automatically to continuously adapt to the sun and changing environmental conditions.
The energy efficiency of glazed windows can be improved further with the addition of inert gas, such as argon, xenon or krypton, which haver lower thermal conductivity for increased insulation. And self-cleaning glass can reduce maintenance requirements.
Privacy
For extra privacy, the installation of high-tech switchable glass means with one touch a button, a glass roof or panel can change from transparent to opaque.
TELL US
Do you have a glass ceiling? Share a photo with us in the Comments below.
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For extra privacy, the installation of high-tech switchable glass means with one touch a button, a glass roof or panel can change from transparent to opaque.
TELL US
Do you have a glass ceiling? Share a photo with us in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more home design ideas
This two-storey terrace in Sydney’s inner suburbs has had a soaring double-height ceiling added on an extension now housing the kitchen. A glass atrium roof positioned over a small space allows plenty of natural light to flood in, as well as providing a lofty connection between indoors and outdoors.