When a kitchen extension is created for George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds on Channel 4, the design process is deliberate from the outset. The programme follows projects shaped by considered architectural thinking, where layout, materials and detailing are resolved carefully on screen.
For this home, the ambition centred on openness. Expansive bifold doors and a bifold kitchen window were introduced to create a strong visual and physical connection to the garden. The intention was to maximise light, improve natural ventilation and allow the sounds and atmosphere of the garden to flow into the kitchen-diner during warmer months.
However, opening an entire elevation of a home introduces practical considerations.
Fresh air improves comfort and indoor air quality, but fully opening an elevation also introduces insects, airborne debris, glare and potential overheating – particularly during evening use when interior lighting attracts insects.
The homeowner was clear that this needed to be addressed properly.
Having researched screening options independently, they contacted Phantom Screens directly before the television production team became involved. The retractable screens were not an afterthought – they formed part of the functional design brief from the beginning.
quick project info
Project
Kitchen-diner extension designed for George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds
Concern
Natural ventilation without insects, dust or glare
Products
Standard insect mesh
Mesh
Mix of solar and privacy mesh
Colour
Black
THE DESIGN CHALLENGE
Openness without compromise
The success of the extension depended on uninterrupted glazing and clean sightlines. Any visible framing or fixed screening would have compromised the architectural clarity of the bifold system.
The solution needed to:
- Allow natural ventilation through bifold doors and windows
- Prevent insects and external debris entering the space
- Soften glare and help manage solar gain
- Preserve views to the garden
- Integrate seamlessly with a carefully considered architectural scheme
Temporary or surface-mounted options would not have reflected the quality or permanence of the build. A retractable, made-to-measure system was essential.
The specified solution
Distinction XL retractable screens for bifold doors and windows
Distinction XL retractable screens were specified for both the bifold doors and the bifold kitchen window.
Engineered for larger spans, the pleated mesh system allows smooth, controlled operation across wide openings while maintaining a refined visual profile. The low-profile threshold integrates neatly within the doorway, minimising visual interruption and preserving accessibility.
When extended, the screens:
- Support natural cross-ventilation
- Prevent insects from entering
- Reduce airborne debris and dust
- Soften harsh sunlight and reduce glare
- Help moderate internal heat build-up
When not required, they retract fully into a discreet housing, preserving the uninterrupted glazing that defines the extension’s design.
Integrated from the outset, the screens support how the kitchen performs daily – not only how it appears on screen.
The homeowner’s experience
Why Phantom Screens
Before filming began, the homeowner had already researched screening solutions independently. Having previously lived by a river and dealt with constant moths, they were clear they did not want to repeat that experience in their new kitchen extension. Time spent living in Europe had also shaped their expectations.
“When I lived in Europe, well-designed, sturdy screens were pretty common. After investing in large bifold doors and a bifold window, I wanted to be able to enjoy them fully without worrying about the kitchen-diner filling with bugs.”
They had followed Phantom Screens on social media for some time and compared alternative options before making contact.
“I did look at some cheaper alternatives, but they either seemed flimsy or looked a bit gaudy. We’d invested so much in the bifolds that it didn’t make sense to compromise on the finishing detail. Phantom Screens felt like a more considered solution – discreet, well-engineered and designed to retract fully out of sight.”
Managing a major build meant reliability and communication were equally important.
“Having been through a significant build, there are so many suppliers you have to chase time and time again. The team at Phantom were refreshingly proactive. They were communicative, reliable, and turned up exactly when they said they would. Everything felt organised and professional from the start.”
From consultation through to installation, the experience reinforced that early confidence:
“The screens are really smooth, blend seamlessly with the windows and doors, and are exactly what I’d hoped for. They’re more transparent than I expected, which was a lovely surprise – I can still see the garden clearly, but they’re visible enough for the dog to realise they’re closed and stop.”
For a build of this scale, reliability was as important as engineering. In a complex build environment, calm, organised delivery should be part of the specification.
The final result
Supporting design on screen – and in real life
While the extension was designed for national broadcast, its long-term success depends on everyday usability.
By integrating retractable screens from the outset, the homeowner ensured the kitchen could remain open to fresh air without compromising comfort, cleanliness or architectural clarity.
The result is a kitchen extension that:
- Feels open and connected in summer
- Remains comfortable during bright conditions
- Allows the space to remain open and connected even on rainy days or warm evenings with interior lights on
- Maintains clean sightlines when screens are not in use
- Functions as confidently in daily life as it does on television
Phantom Screens were not included because the project was being filmed. They were specified because the architecture required a solution that performs without compromising visual integrity. The outcome is a home that performs as beautifully as it appears – on screen and beyond.
