A Hip Style Glass-Roofed Sunroom in Long Island, NY
A client’s goals often grow after their home renovation project begins. Today’s build journal looks at a sunroom recently completed for such clients in Long Island, New York. Envisioning a space flooded with natural light while in the midst of planning their changes, the homeowner decided that their original architectural blueprint needed reworking! The initial design called for a solid, conventional roof. After recognizing the incredible potential of their new space to let in the sun, the search began for glass roof specialists.
The project’s architect, Louise A. Agnes of Northport, NY, laid out the original plans for a conventional solid roof. After deciding on the upgrade to glass, the homeowners contacted Sunspace, and we worked with their general contractor, Custom Works Carpentry of Melville, NY. Working from the architect’s original drawings, our partnership with the GC resulted in the planned engineering and development of a spectacular 18’2″ x 15’10” custom offset hip style glass roof system. Sunspace Design handled the complete scope of the specialty roof from its initial design, to shop drawings, to product fabrication, and finally to field installation.
The materials chosen for this project are robust and elegant. Because of the large span, the structural hip of the roof is engineered from a heavy-duty steel tube. The steel was seamlessly veneered in mahogany to maintain a warm, cohesive interior aesthetic. The timber framing itself is crafted from solid utile mahogany, a premium African hardwood. Utile is prized for its high density, dimensional stability, and exceptional resistance to rot and decay.
To ensure the space remains comfortable in every season, we glazed the massive structure with Solarban 70 low-e argon-filled insulated units. Utilizing tempered safety glass throughout allowed for maximum durability and thermal performance. Finally, the exterior was capped with custom cold-rolled copper flashing. This external layer not only provides superior weatherproofing but will develop a rich, timeless patina over the years. Let’s look at the process.
A look at Sunspace Design’s plan for the glass roof.
A drawing of the space provided by the architect.
Fabrication begins: The perimeter layout of the large 18’2″ x 15’10” glass roof system frame is set up on our woodworking shop floor.
The Utile mahogany hip rafter and jack rafters are positioned and test-fitted in the shop to ensure absolute precision.
On-site in New York, Custom Works Carpentry has the structural frame of the new room prepped and ready for the glass roof installation.
The heavy-duty steel tube hip rafter is hoisted and set into place, providing the structural backbone for the expansive glass roof.
A mahogany veneer is applied to conceal the steel structure, and the first mahogany jack rafters are securely installed.
Solid mahogany purlins are set into the frame.
This creates the grid that will support the insulated glass panels.
The mahogany frame, coated in a protective white primer, rapidly takes shape.
A view from above showcases the sheer size and architectural complexity of the custom offset hip style roof system.
The high-performance, argon-filled Solarban 70 low-e tempered safety glass is carefully installed into the frame.
As a final exterior step, durable cold-rolled copper cladding is installed to ensure a watertight, maintenance-free seal.
A look at the nearly completed interior of the new sunroom, where the custom glass roof system floods the space with natural daylight.
A completed exterior view highlighting the elegant copper capping and the striking profile of the offset hip roof.
A second exterior perspective shows how the new sunroom seamlessly integrates with the home’s existing architecture.
This Long Island-area project perfectly illustrates the flexibility and beauty of custom glass architecture. By pivoting from a conventional solid roof to a high-performance mahogany-framed glass roof, the homeowners ambitiously enhanced an already-solid addition project into a vision of a breathtaking, light-filled sanctuary. The use of premium materials like Solarban glass and cold-rolled copper guarantees that this space will remain a comfortable, low-maintenance showstopper for decades to come.
Whether you are looking to modify an existing design or start entirely from scratch, Sunspace Design has the expertise to bring your vision to life. Ready to explore the possibilities for your own home? Reach out to us via our website’s contact form, email us at info@sunspacedesign.com, or give us a call at 1-800-530-2505 to get the ball rolling.