Glass Structure Placement Guide


by | Dec 10, 2024 | Planning

As regional leaders in custom glass construction, we occasionally encounter questions like “Where is the best spot on my property to build a greenhouse?” or “Where should I build a sunroom?” in the course of doing business. It is crucial to pick the best location when introducing a glass structural element to your property. But “best” is relative, and the optimal placement will usually be determined by your intended use of the glass enclosure or roof element. The best location for a skylight depends on where you want the sun to shine!

The Sunspace Design construction team has experience building New England glass enclosures and skylights of all kinds, so it will be crucial during the planning phase to inform us of your goals. Our time-tested design-build construction process will ensure that you have ample opportunity to provide feedback and insight during the planning phase.

But if you’re in the early stages of conceptualizing your intended home renovation or addition, it will be useful to plan ahead. We’ve been assembling a series of articles in the planning subcategory of our blog to help, and we invite you to check them out. Of particular interest is our glass structure planning guide. Today we’ll be discussing another key aspect of glass structure and glass roof planning: placement.

 

Glass Structure Sunlight, Directionality, and Timing Considerations

 

The amount of sunlight your skylight, glass roof, conservatory, or greenhouse will receive is partly determined by its location on your property. The rise and fall of the sun will also play a role, with east-facing structures receiving more sunlight during the morning and less at night. Because glass structures and skylights also serve as passive solar heat sources for the home, you can expect your decision to have an impact on the interior climate.

In the early days of planning, it’s useful to think about the intended use of your new space. If you’re simply trying to introduce more light to a preexisting living area via the introduction of a skylight or roof lantern, then the architecture of the space is likely to be the primary factor constraining the construction cost. But if you’re increasing the footprint of your home via an addition or reshaping the footprint of your home via a renovation, you may have more flexibility with respect to placement. In these cases, it’s more important to understand exactly how much sunlight the space will receive before committing to a location.

 

A photo of a Sunspace Design orangery-style double hip skylight element located beside an open concept kitchen than connects to a large entertainment area

Interested in adding a glass roof element or glass skylight to a specific room in your home?
The existing architecture of your home will help determine the best position!
This gorgeous orangery-style double hip skylight transformed the client’s open concept kitchen.

 

Greenhouse Placement and Growing Considerations

 

Lower light levels will result in slower photosynthesis and reduced yields. Is your intention to maximize your growing season by positioning your greenhouse to receive optimal levels of sunlight throughout the year? If so, then the ridged glass roof of your greenhouse should run from west to east. This will help optimize the amount of sunlight the interior receives during the darker autumn and winter seasons while protecting your delicate plants from the harsh midday sun. If your planned greenhouse is a lean-to, you should consider having it face south with a northern wall. A south-facing placement with a slightly sloped roof will optimize solar gain and facilitate proper drainage.

Whatever your limitations might be, your greenhouse should be positioned to maximize the solar radiation your plants receive during the specific growing period you wish to target. Greenhouses intended for operation specifically in the spring and summer months will have different optimal placements than greenhouses intended for year-round growth.

 

Glass Structure Obstructions and Privacy

 

Surrounding obstructions will have an influence on the light levels your new space receives, and this can be good or bad depending on your goals. Are your goals horticultural? Then it’s unlikely that you’ll want it to be located beneath tall, light-blocking trees of any sort. But if your space is going to be used for rest and relaxation then some degree of sunlight occlusion may be beneficial.

In most cases you’ll want to avoid building a structure or placing a glass roof directly beneath a tree. Doing so will result in glass that gets dirtier faster as a result of falling leaves or pine needles. But strategically placed trees located nearby can offer the right degree of shade to even the most fully exposed structures and additions. This can be especially beneficial for pool enclosures where the perfect balance of sunshine and shade ensures a comfortable environment for swimming and relaxation.

A well-placed glass structure can provide stunning views of your surroundings while maintaining a sense of privacy. It’s often desirable to position your structure to face scenic views while minimizing exposure to neighboring properties or busy streets. Strategically placed trees, shrubs, and trellises can screen unwanted views while framing desirable ones. Our team can help you incorporate adjustable window treatments, such as blinds, shades, or curtains, to further control light levels and offer privacy as needed.

 

Potted plants sit on a workshelf located inside a multi-room Sunspace Design custom glass structure

The best location for your greenhouse will be determined by your goals.
Desired light levels and optimal growing season must be considered at the outset.

 

Heating and Cooling Your Glass Structure

 

If you plan to have a four-season conservatory, orangery, sunroom, or other custom structure on your property, the levels of sunlight it receives will influence its warmth. This is especially important in the winter. New England temperatures are frequently sub-freezing for a large portion of the year, and that’s an argument for maximizing solar levels! For example, a south-facing conservatory or orangery will maximize sunlight exposure and passive solar heating during the colder months.

If you have to place a structure in a location that receives less sun due to personal preference, existing architecture, or the land itself, you can offset the chill by installing a heating solution like a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Other options include extending your existing heating system into the new space or split system heat pumps which provide both air conditioning and heating. Our company has years of experience regulating the thermal performance of the glass structures we design and build, so rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.

Cooling is just as important. Incorporating shading elements like overhangs, awnings, or strategically placed trees can help reduce cooling costs. Proper ventilation can help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduce the need for artificial cooling.

 

Glass Structure Foundations and Site Preparation

 

Don’t overlook the importance of proper site preparation and foundation design for glass structures. The foundation type used for your glass structure will have important implications for its placement on your property. Concrete slabs provide a stable and level base for conservatories, orangeries, and other permanent structures. Pier foundations are suitable for smaller structures or uneven terrain by elevating the structure and allowing for proper drainage. Perimeter walls can be used to create a raised foundation and provide additional support for larger or more complex structures.

 

Landscaping and Outdoor Living Integration

 

A major contributor to your new structure’s aesthetic appeal will be its placement on your land and its relationship to outdoor elements like gardens and porches. Pathways, patios, and decks can connect the glass structure seamlessly to other outdoor areas. Strategically placed plants, trees, and other landscaping elements will frame desirable views. If you design outdoor living areas that complement the glass structure, you’ll be providing family and friends with additional space for entertaining or relaxation.

 

Potted plants sit on a workshelf located inside a multi-room Sunspace Design custom glass structure

A glass structure’s relationship to its surrounding outdoor elements is of paramount importance.

 

Microclimate, Slope, Stability, and Drainage

 

You probably learned when you were young that hot air rises and cold air sinks. This has implications for glass structure placement! The bottom of a slope is going to retain frost and humidity for a longer period of time than higher ground will. If the slope is particularly severe you may also face accumulating surface water, persistent dampness, and poor drainage. Whether or not this matters will depend on your structure’s foundation type; greenhouses without foundations will be particularly vulnerable. It’s generally best to build your structure on solid, level ground that is unlikely to shift, but our team can work around almost any limitation via proper planning.

 

Glass Structure Accessibility

 

Accessibility and functionality are crucial considerations when planning the placement of your glass structure. Ensure that your new space is both accessible and functional for all potential users. Choose a location that allows for convenient and accessible entryways, thinking ahead about crucial factors like stairs, ramps, and pathways. This is doubly important if anyone in your household has special accessibility needs. In these cases, it’s extra important to ensure clear and accessible pathways leading to and around your glass structure, accommodating wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. Designing for accessibility extends to the interior as well: a sensible layout can facilitate easy movement and access to all areas, so it’s best to spend time envisioning the optimal furniture placement and traffic flow within your new glass structure before you commit to a project.

 

Building Codes and Regulations

 

Before finalizing the placement of your glass structure, it’s essential to ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations. These codes may dictate setbacks, height restrictions, and other requirements that can influence your structure’s location. If you’re planning on your own, be sure to contact your local building department or planning office to obtain information about specific regulations in your area. If you’re working with Sunspace Design, we can handle this step for you to ensure your plans meet all applicable codes and standards.

Many communities have Homeowners Associations with specific rules and regulations regarding home modifications. We work with such owners to carefully review their HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) before planning a glass structure. Common HOA restrictions related to glass structures include size limitations, design aesthetics, and placement guidelines.

 

Conclusion

 

At the end of the day, our company can surmount virtually any hurdle standing between you and the realization of your glass construction dreams. We hope that this guide will provide you with some insight as you work through the earliest stages of conceptualizing your glass construction project. Once you’ve formulated a general idea of what you’d like to accomplish, reach out to us via our company email at info@sunspacedesign.com, by calling us at 1-800-530-2505, or by submitting your information through our online contact form. A Sunspace representative will get back to you shortly, and before you know it we’ll be hard at work letting the beauty of nature’s sunlight into the space you call home.

Original Post Date: 2018-07-16
Last Updated: 2024-12-10

 

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