Velfac UK - Case study: Yew Trees

VELFAC windows were the perfect choice for the renovation of this unusual, architect-designed Lake District home. Built in 1971, Yew Trees has been sympathetically renovated to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability, while maintaining all its retro charm

When Amy Law and her husband Sam bought Yew Trees, their intention was simply to redecorate before letting it as a holiday rental. However, after falling in love with the property, they fully embraced their architect’s vision for the house.

Yew Trees is an unusual property for the Lake District. Built in 1971, this architect-designed wooden bungalow sits on brick stilts and has a shingle roof, giving it strong ski chalet vibes. It’s perhaps more akin to something you might find in the mountains in Scandinavia, which is perhaps why VELFAC windows were such an obvious choice.

A sympathetic eco renovation

“We loved the retro feel of the place – even the crazy-paving floor throughout the living areas!” says Amy, “But we knew we wanted to bring it up to modern eco standards, so it was important for us to work with an architect who understood what we wanted to achieve.”

Amy contacted Manchester-based architects Hesketh Hayden who specialise in sustainable architecture, including Passivhaus design. By coincidence, the architects were already familiar with Amy’s bungalow as they had built their own Passivhaus home in Watermillock some years before.

Eschewing her original idea of a quick makeover Amy worked with Hesketh Hayden and an exceptional local builder and joiner to extend the property and do a full retrofit renovation. This included fitting an air source heat pump and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system, super-insulating the property, and replacing most of the existing windows as well as adding some new ones to bring more light into the home.

Choosing windows that hit the brief for Passivhaus, durability, and contemporary-retro styling

On the architect’s recommendation, Amy opted for VELFAC triple-glazed windows throughout to improve the thermal performance and airtightness of the property. The composite frames with external aluminium and internal wood will also easily withstand the harshest weather Lake District winters can throw at them.

All but three of the bungalow’s windows were replaced. Three large picture windows at the front of the house were still in good condition and so were left in place. Original to the house, they are over 50 years old and still going strong. The VELFAC window system is equally durable and has been independently tested to ensure a lifespan of at least 40 years, with reports of them lasting 60 years or more.

Maximising views with picture windows

In its original  incarnation , Yew Trees had just two bedrooms and featured a cantilevered terrace providing spectacular views over the surrounding landscape. At some point in its history, however, a bedroom was built onto the terrace, closing off the view from the main living area.

“Our original plan was to build a new bedroom to the rear of the property so we could reinstate the open terrace”, explains Amy, “But when it came to demolishing the existing structure, it became clear how good the view from the terrace was, and so Hesketh Hayden reworked the plans to turn the space into a dining room taking full advantage of the outlook. “We got back in touch with VELFAC to order a huge picture window for the new dining room – the slim frames mean we can really make the most of the view. We still wanted a terrace, and so we added a new one, and it’s now the most fabulous space,” says Amy.

But Amy’s favourite spot in the bungalow is sitting on the window seat in the main bedroom, looking out through the large picture window. “As anyone who knows the Lake District will tell you, the weather changes all the time; the view is never the same. In the winter, when the trees have lost their leaves, we can see Ullswater.”

The views are part of the reason why Amy and her husband fell in love with the property. “’Bringing the outside in’ is a bit of a cliché, but that’s exactly what our new VELFAC windows and doors allow us to do,” says Amy, “For us, connecting to the outdoors in this way is hugely important, especially in a location like this. It brings a closeness to nature that otherwise isn’t possible. The big windows mean we can be incredibly close to the red squirrels that run through the trees surrounding the terrace – it’s like being in the treetops with them.”

For now, though, it’s holidaymakers and visitors to the Lakes who will get to enjoy the views and the tranquil atmosphere of this beautifully renovated eco house. Amy and her family can enjoy owning it, knowing that one day they can make it their home when the pull of the Lakes becomes too strong to resist.