Situated on the edge of the River Glen in Lincolnshire, River house is a unique self-build property that oozes contemporary style. Built using sustainable materials with a keen eye on thermal and weather performance, the A rated building is situated on a 1920s plot of timber houses traditionally used by local business people as summertime beach houses. Over the years the old properties have been demolished and new ones developed to create an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary properties, each with their own unique style.
The River House’s contemporary feel is enhanced by its open plan living area with high ceilings, large sliding patio doors offering uninterrupted views of the river and lots of plants to create a calming space.
The house faces south and enjoys beautiful sunrises during the winter, the big sliding doors allow a nice reflection of the ripples on the water into the main living space. Concern for the environment featured strongly in Chris’ discussions with his architect and the property has been built to incorporate solar panels, pv panels, water panels, underfloor hearing, extra thick insulation and George Barnsdale high performance timber windows and doors.
Asked why he chose timber rather than uPVC or aluminium, Chris reiterated his commitment to the environment.
“It made sense to go for timber with it being a timber framed eco building. Timber windows last well and can always be fixed in years to come and George Barnsdale offered a really wide range of furniture options and colours. In the end, I went for pale green which really makes the house stand out along the river bank.”
Chris chose to make his main entrance door a Grandis hardwood sliding patio door with stormproof casement top lights. A further two sets of sliding doors were chosen for the dining and kitchen areas creating a vast expanse of glass across the riverside elevation of the property. Pale green paint and satin chrome hardware complete the modern aesthetic. High performance double glazing ensures the home stays warm in winter and cool in the summer.
Chris says he chose George Barnsdale because he knew how great the products were from his previous project next door. He also cited friendly local staff and an installation service highlighting the fact that,
“Timber windows are very different to uPVC and aluminium and require a different technique when fitting. Not everyone is trained to do that and I didn’t want to risk undermining performance.”
The property received the highest energy performance certificate which makes it great for low energy consumption but also means it emits zero carbon compared with average properties that are estimated to produce 6 tonnes CO2. Alongside the other measures like wall and roof insulation, George Barnsdale’s timber windows and doors contributed to the excellent rating.