West Yorkshire barn conversion

When our clients Jonathan and Kirstie approached us to assist with their ambitious barn conversion in West Yorkshire, their goal was clear: to create a stunning, sustainable home.

With many years of experience supplying high-performance products and services, we embraced the challenge of working within the unique constraints of the project – balancing innovative design with cutting-edge technology to help the clients achieve a healthier, more environmentally conscious way of living.

The challenge

Jonathan and Kirstie aimed to convert three barns into a unique, 4,300 sq ft habitable dwelling. Several challenges emerged during planning, including restrictions due to the proximity of a listed building and the barns' orientation. The build also had to adhere to height limitations, leading to the decision to create a large single-storey dwelling with an internal courtyard to maximise natural light.

Our solution

We collaborated closely with the clients to meet their energy-efficiency goals while considering the design constraints. The team recommended the installation of GBS78 timber windows and entrance doors, as well as Lacuna bi-fold doors. These were specified after the client discussed options with us at the Harrogate Homebuilding & Renovating Show. The windows and the range of colours and opening functions on display at Harrogate caught the clients’ attention, which is why we always recommend visiting us in one of our showrooms. This allows us to talk through the benefits of our products and services, all of which are key when choosing windows and doors for your project.

After explaining the differences between our products and ranges, the client chose inward-opening windows. These allow for larger, mostly single-opening units that maximise the glazed area, while also benefiting from a useful tilt function for increased purge ventilation if required. Our GBS78 triple-glazed windows have low U values, contributing to the home’s high insulation thanks to the timber construction, triple-glazed units, and dual compression seals. These also offer the added bonus of noise reduction.

The clients wanted a door solution to link the inside open-plan living area with the outside paved seating areas for warmer days. Our Lacuna bi-fold doors were installed by our in-house fitting team, achieving a fully openable 4.8m span with our six-door system. Lacuna doors are a specialist market-leading bi-fold system, combining slim frames, thermal performance, and long-term functionality. They’re triple glazed and feature multiple compression seals, ensuring the highest level of airtightness (class 4).

The design, led by Northern Design Partnership, achieved the desired energy goals without compromising on architectural beauty. The combination of high-quality materials, precise planning, and modern technology, such as the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system, allowed Jonathan and Kirstie to achieve their sustainability targets.

Our windows design team collaborated with the clients’ design team to create thermally broken threshold details using CompacFoam. We also created detailed drawings to perfectly align the mullions of the large high-level shaped fixed units with the sashes on the Lacuna doors. The large fixed unit was made and supplied as one unit to minimise mullion thickness, and was then glazed onsite by our install team. Although the large units were heavy and difficult to handle, our in-house installation team, with years of experience, had the frames installed in just a few days

Finally, we supplied all glazing for the inner courtyard to ensure continuity of the thermal envelope. This included a mixture of floor-to-ceiling fixed screens, an entrance door providing access from the master bedroom to the courtyard, and high-level shaped glazing to bring extra light into the living area and master bedroom. The main windows and entrance doors were finished in RAL 7016 externally, and RAL 9016 internally, while the Lacuna bi-fold doors, high-level screens, and courtyard screens were finished in RAL 7016 internally and externally.

The results

The project exceeded expectations, delivering a stunning, energy-efficient home. The GBS78 windows provided exceptional thermal performance and noise reduction, greatly enhancing the home’s living environment. Jonathan and Kirstie reported significant improvements in insulation and air quality, leading to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Jonathan and Kirstie’s barn conversion project is a testament to our commitment to combining expertise with high-quality, energy-efficient solutions. By carefully selecting the right materials and technologies, and maintaining close collaboration throughout, we were able to deliver a home that meets the highest standards of sustainability and comfort. Our work doesn’t just stop at meeting targets; it’s about building lasting partnerships and homes that improve quality of life. 

Whether you’re embarking on a similar project or looking to improve your existing home’s efficiency, get in touch.