Velfac UK - Case study: Homestead, Suffolk

 Built to Passivhaus principles, Homestead is a modern family home with a distinctly Scandinavian feel, thanks in no small part to the use of VELFAC windows and doors throughout. 

 After raising her family in a Victorian townhouse in Ipswich, Fiona had a hankering for a move to the countryside and to build her own home. She and her husband, William, were fortunate to find a third-of-an-acre plot in a village, just a 15-minute drive from Ipswich where their business is located. 

“We have several friends who work in the building industry and they all recommended VELFAC to us,” says the homeowner, Fiona Coe.

Inspired by Scandinavian design

With a love of Scandinavian design, Fiona’s brief to her architect was clear: she wanted a modern but classic looking house – something that wouldn’t date and that wouldn’t look out-of-place alongside the neighbouring, traditional village homes.

“We wanted something very liveable, with space for our children to come home and stay, but not so big that we’d be rattling around in it,” explains Fiona.

Double-height glazing

The ground floor of this four-bedroomed house has a large, open-plan kitchen/dining/living/hall.

The double-height library wall in the hall area is one of the property’s many striking features. And it’s made even more dramatic by the double-height glazing that lets light flood in.

The upper part of the glazing features a large VELFAC 200 ENERGY, triple glazed, fixed casement window, almost three metres wide and two metres high. Weighing 294kg, it was lifted into place by VELFAC distributor okoHaus using a Smartlift glazing robot. The lower part is formed of a casement door and fixed casement, almost three by two and a half metres in size.

“The slim frames and size of the windows and openings available from VELFAC is another reason we chose them,” comments Fiona.

A chair by the double-height library wall, has become Fiona’s favourite place to sit: “Looking through the expanse of glass onto the garden is incredibly calming. It’s also where I get a real sense of the beauty of our new home”.

Frameless corner window

The ground floor also features a corner window offering unobstructed views of the front garden. Don Anderson, of main contractor DBA Building, was impressed with what could be achieved with VELFAC windows and has recommended them to a new client: “This project was the first time we had used VELFAC windows and doors, and they are absolutely fantastic – the design possibilities are incredible! We’ll certainly recommend them whenever we can.”

Colour-matched exterior

For the powder coating of the exterior aluminium frames, Fiona chose RAL 7021, a rich grey-black that matches the zinc used on a central band around the house and on a window that projects from the lounge.

Warm wooden frames

For the interior frames, Fiona opted to have the FSC-certified pine finished in a clear lacquer to complement the wood used throughout the house.

“We loved that the composite window construction meant we could have different materials inside and out. The external aluminium frame looks great while the internal wood finish works beautifully with our interiors.

First floor views

Large sliding doors lead from the primary bedroom onto a balcony overlooking the south-facing garden and extensive countryside views. A Juliet balcony to the second bedroom also looks onto the garden, while letting light and fresh air spill into the room. The slim sash profile on both fixed and opening functions maximises the light and the views.

Energy efficiency

As well as being stylish and sophisticated the VELFAC 200 ENERGY system, featuring triple glazing, can achieve Uw values as low as 0.8 W/m²K, making it suitable for Passivhaus developments.

After living in a high-maintenance, energy-inefficient Victorian home, the Coes love living in their new, draft-free, energy-efficient home.