Loggia is a unique building concept that totally redefines double glazed conservatories. The inspiration for Loggia dates back to the Italian Renaissance period. Filippo Brunelleschi, an architectural visionary, who played a pivotal role in the Italian Renaissance movement, achieved worldwide renown as the creator of the Duomo, a spectacular feat of engineering that today, still dominates the panorama of Florence. Brunelleschi was also credited with significant developments in the design of the Loggia, previously defined as a roofed gallery or recessed room open to the air on one side, supported by ornate columns.

Today in the UK, high quality aluminium and UPVC double glazing systems manufacturers have taken those same guiding architectural principles to create a new building that combines remarkable aesthetics with revolutionary engineering to blend in perfectly with designs of British dwellings.

The modern day Loggia is a unique structure that combines elements of light and sky with the solidity of corner columns possessing real inner core strength, plus has internal plastered walls and ceilings, to create a ‘real room’ feel. (Just like having a new extension, but for substantially less money, with a lot less hassle and in most cases, no red tape!).

High quality Loggia have advanced thermally efficient roof and window glazing possessing excellent U-Values, making them warmer and cosier in the winter (at typically half the cost of heating a conventional conservatory) and cooler in the summer, so you can use them all year round.

The amount of light and sky UK homeowners want to let into their Loggia, is down to them, as Loggias are bespoke double glazed glass extensions which can be tailor-made to dovetail in with existing properties. So, to create the Loggia room of your dreams, internally you can choose from floor to ceiling glazing panels, or windows combined with low walls, the world’s your oyster!

Because of their ingenious construction, Loggia can be built within a much shorter timeframe than you might expect, with no compromise on quality. Recent surveys reveal that double glazed conservatories and extensions are some of the most rewarding home investments UK home owners can make, based on the percentage return on investment.

High quality Loggia if designed, specified and built properly, offer a completely different option than a standard conservatory or orangery, as they not only possesses the strength and solidity of an extension, but also add a stylish new room to any home.

With Loggia, achieving thermal efficiency is effortless. Unlike some poorly built or low spec conservatories, you’ll find them warm and cosy in the winter and reassuringly cool in the summer, so you’ll be able to use your Loggia all year round, just like an extension. The Loggia super insulated columns – with a U-Value of only 0.15W/m2oC – are twice as thermally efficient as a normal cavity insulated wall, and ten times more effective than standard window glazing. Overall a Loggia can use less than 50% of the heat energy of a similar sized conservatory, and with prudent specification choices, require little more energy to heat than an extension that is fully Building Regulation compliant.

Two customised corner heating panels are all it takes to heat a four square metre Loggia, which is much a more cost efficient option than under floor heating (which in winter needs to be left on 24/7 to be effective). Loggia corner panel heaters offer instantaneous heat via a choice of wireless controller and/or on/off switch on an adjacent wall.

Well established independent double glazing manufacturers and installers like Hazlemere Windows specialise in creating safe, durable structures, and their products are not just tried and tested, but trusted to cope with the changeable UK climate. The Loggia is excellent in this regard thanks to its unique high strength structure and additionally bolstered solid steel frame (if the location or design calls for it), which extends right to its foundations to give enhanced rigidity and precision – meaning Loggia can withstand the worst weather in the UK year after year. What’s more, the unique Loggia design reduces the ‘racking’ effect of wind, being four times stiffer than a standard conservatory. And for complete peace of mind, Hazlemere also provides a robust fully comprehensive 10-year guarantee.

What’s more, it’s a room you can live in all year round, thanks to Loggia’s unique optional radiant heating system. Unlike conservatories without insulated bases that rely on expensive under floor heating instead (or unsightly radiators and pipework), Loggia vertical heaters are compact and integrate into the structure. These are available in enamel white or textured black.

In a typical Loggia, all that is required are two optional electric radiant heaters, neatly concealed in the 90 degree columns which run from floor to ceiling. An aesthetically pleasing design feature in themselves, these radiant heaters offer the option of fingertip control via a wireless controller which puts you in charge of your heating costs at all times. They also offer virtually instantaneous heat, so they compare extremely favourably with under floor heating (which can take an age and a bank loan to achieve the desired temperature) and space heaters like traditional radiators.

The way Loggia are designed offers home owners the attractive possibility of achieving a classic look with traditional sash windows, which isn’t usually possible with conservatory design. Because Loggia’s solid columns have a front to back depth of 300mm and can be constructed either side of neo-Georgian window designs, sash windows can be conveniently incorporated, creating a high quality, highly aspirational living environment that is quiet, warm, draught-free and secure.

Through innovative design, Loggia incorporate a plastered ceiling all the way around their perimeter. This ceiling is the perfect place to house spotlights and down lighters, house cables for speakers or telephones, which can quickly and easily be distributed around the Loggia.

Depending on the look you want to achieve, Loggia columns can be full height or sit on a low wall. They’ll are a striking feature on front corners but can also be situated at the rear corners too, against the wall of any home or even in-between frames on each side of door openings. The choice is yours.

The addition of a Cornice is a stunning option that can really add individual style to any Loggia. The elaborate detailing adds height and presence and produces a spectacular impression of design finesse and inherent warmth.

There are number of wall and glazing options. Enjoy a choice of opening in or out French or bi-folding doors, full height glazing or window frames which sit on a cill with masonry underneath and factor in true design  flexibility with frame options in casement style or vertical sliders.

Because of their ingenious construction Loggia can be built within a much shorter timeframe than you might expect, with no compromise on quality: style & solidity in equal measure. By using only the finest quality materials on the internal specification, Loggia will possess an inner strength and solidity which will last for years and years. Loggia full height columns – depending on locality – feature additional structural steelwork and are anchored to the foundations for absolute structural integrity, making it four times stiffer than a conventional conservatory. The columns offer the flexibility of various siting options, integrating glazing and plastering perfectly and creating a well – constructed extension that will add considerable value to your home.

Because – in the majority of cases – there is no requirement for Building Regulations, UK home owners can enjoy a new Loggia lifestyle far sooner than if using brickwork or block work and render to construct the columns and walls for a more traditional orangery style or bespoke conservatory.

Article written by Mark Austin, Managing Director, Hazlemere Windows.