High-Performance Coastal Glazing for a Cliffside Home in Salcombe
Orestone End is a five-storey private residence positioned above the shoreline on Cliff Road in Salcombe, Devon. As part of a comprehensive renovation led by Harrison Sutton Partnership, IQ Glass designed and installed a package of 26 bespoke architectural glazing elements across the property.
The design brief centred on maximising panoramic views of the South Devon coastline while ensuring that the glazing could withstand the demanding conditions of an exposed marine location. Minimal sliding doors, frameless structural glazing, casement windows and bespoke circular windows were selected to provide clear sightlines, natural light and access to coastal terraces.
The glazing package combines large expanses of glass with antique bronze anodised aluminium framing, allowing the new systems to complement the architecture while delivering the durability required for a cliffside home.
Designing for an Exposed Coastal Location
The elevated position of Orestone End provides extensive views over the Salcombe coastline, but it also exposes the building to strong winds, salt-laden air and high levels of sunlight. The glazing specification therefore needed to balance visual clarity with solar control, structural performance and resistance to the coastal environment.
Systems across all five floors were designed for wind loads of 1.81kN/m². Heat-soaked, toughened low-iron glass was specified to provide enhanced safety, durability and optical clarity, while Guardian SN70/35 solar control coatings help limit solar gain without obscuring the outlook.
C32 Antique Bronze anodised aluminium was selected for the framing and coordinated architectural hardware. The finish complements the coastal material palette while providing a durable surface suited to the exposed setting.
Minimal Sliding Doors Framing Panoramic Sea Views
Large-format slim sliding doors were installed across multiple levels to connect the principal living spaces with external terraces overlooking the sea. The largest sliding arrangements measure up to 3980mm wide and 2684mm high, maximising the glazed area and providing broad views of the coastline.
Both two-track and three-track configurations were used to respond to different opening widths and spatial requirements throughout the home. Minimal aluminium profiles reduce interruptions across the elevations, allowing the glass and coastal setting to remain visually dominant.
The sliding panels create generous openings between the interior and terraces, strengthening the relationship between the house and its waterfront location. Integrated locking systems and coordinated bronze hardware maintain a consistent finish throughout the installation.
Frameless Structural Glazing and Double-Height Openings
Invisio structural glazing was used to form frameless glass elements where uninterrupted sightlines were central to the architectural design. By concealing the structural glazing profiles within the surrounding construction, the system allows the glass to appear visually frameless and increases the sense of openness across the property.
A double-height corner arrangement incorporates a fixed Sieger HD window measuring 1200mm wide by 3447mm high. Extending across two floors, the glazing increases daylight within the interior and creates a strong vertical view towards the coastline.
The combination of structural glazing and large fixed panels allows the building envelope to remain visually light despite the scale and performance requirements of the glass. These elements work alongside the sliding doors to establish a consistent connection with the landscape across all levels of the home.
Bespoke Aluminium Windows for Ventilation
A coordinated range of Sieger aluminium window systems was specified throughout Orestone End, including Sieger SD Slim Casement Windows, Sieger HD Casement Windows and Sieger 70 Casement Windows.
Opening casements provide controlled ventilation while maintaining the slender framing language established by the larger glazed elevations. Concealed hinges, integrated handles and colour-matched hardware create a refined appearance, with the C32 Antique Bronze anodised finish continuing across fixed and opening elements.
Bespoke circular aluminium windows introduce distinctive architectural details within the façade. These feature windows contrast with the rectilinear sliding doors and structural glazing while retaining the same coordinated material finish.
Glass Specification and Environmental Performance
The glazing specification was developed to manage the combined effects of solar exposure, coastal weather and large glazed areas. Guardian SN70/35 solar control coatings reduce solar gain while maintaining high levels of visible light transmission, helping the interior benefit from daylight without compromising views.
Low-iron glass was selected for greater visual clarity, particularly across large-format sliding doors and fixed windows where the colour and quality of the coastal outlook were central to the design intent. Heat-soak testing was applied to the toughened panes to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage and improve confidence in the specification.
While the project is primarily a glazing refurbishment rather than a defined low-carbon scheme, retaining and upgrading the existing five-storey residence avoids the need to replace the building. The new glazing contributes to the renovation by improving solar management, weather resistance and the usability of spaces connected to the terraces.
Technical Summary and Project Team
IQ Glass delivered 26 bespoke glazing installations across the five-storey residence, including two-track and three-track slim sliding doors, frameless Invisio structural glazing, Sieger aluminium casement windows and bespoke circular windows.
Large-format sliding doors measure up to 3980mm wide by 2684mm high, while the double-height fixed Sieger HD window measures 1200mm wide by 3447mm high. The glazing was engineered for wind loads of 1.81kN/m² and specified with heat-soaked, toughened low-iron glass and Guardian SN70/35 solar control coatings.
Together, the systems demonstrate how high-performance coastal glazing can preserve panoramic views while responding to wind, solar exposure and marine conditions.
Project: Orestone End
Architect: Harrison Sutton Partnership
Location: Salcombe, Devon, United Kingdom
Products used: Sieger slim sliding doors, Sieger SD Slim Casement Windows, Sieger HD Casement Windows, Sieger 70 Casement Windows, Invisio structural glazing, frameless fixed glazing and bespoke circular aluminium windows.
