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September 10, 2007
Glass Door in rear wall
Does anyone have any photos of a rear wall in a brownstone that has been totally opened up with floor to ceiling glass windows/doors?
This is a really common architectural improvent in Australian terrace homes but I'm trying to find a photo of this that has been done in New York.
Has anyone on this list done this? or have any builders/architects they would like to reccomend for this project (at least 8 months away from looking to sign a contract though).
tia,
Dean
Comments
Architectural Digest this month and the house is actually in Brooklyn
Posted by: guest at September 10, 2007 1:34 PM
Dean,
We are living in a rental. Its a framehouse, not a brownstone.
But the owners have done this. Its not totally floor to ceiling. More 8 ft of 10 ft.
It looks great, but it leaks during heavy rains, so Im not sure I would want to recommend the contractors.
Post your email and I'll send you a photo.
Posted by: guest at September 10, 2007 1:35 PM
We considered doing this but our building is pretty massive, 20X65, four family. The architect said the load would be too much - we ended up just putting in an extra window which looks great and was much cheaper. We used DesignTech - second time we used them, not sure if I'd recommend them.
Posted by: Brooklynnative at September 10, 2007 1:47 PM
In a traditional townhouse/brownstone most of the "load" is carried by the side party walls. In your basement, you can see that the joists go across and fit into pockets in the side walls. The rear walls support the front and rear windows, the weight of themselves, etc. but not the full weight of the floors or the contenst of your home.
It is expensive but you can run a steel I-beam across a large opening in the back to support the rear wall and to create a "glass rear wall" fairly easily. You need an architect and a structural engineer to do it right. Cost could be $30k or more.
Posted by: Mr Joist at September 10, 2007 5:19 PM
yep, most of the time a pair or steel i beams are used.
As we are the garden apartment for the 3 floors above I'm sure it will have to be beefy but changes the whole dynamics of the rear space.
Brownstones are nice but architecture and lifestyles have change a lot in the last 100 years.
Cheers,
Dea'at'collins'dont'net'dot'pr
Posted by: deanc at September 10, 2007 11:00 PM
We did this - floor to ceiling. Love it, but it's not for everyone. Post your email, and I will send you pictures.
Posted by: guest4 at September 10, 2007 11:01 PM
I have a friend who did this and it is totally stunning.
Posted by: guest at September 11, 2007 1:24 PM
BTW I went out and bought the magazine yesterday.....only to realise that the photos are also available online.
It wasn't exactly what we were thinking of as we only want to open up the rear wall with glass - this is move of a two sided glass box extension to the rear...but so very jealous anyway :)
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/homes/2007/10/1100architect_slideshow?slide=4
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: deanc at September 13, 2007 2:10 PM
I've heard of 1100 Architect. I've also heard they are asses.
Posted by: guest at September 19, 2007 10:38 PM
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