The benefits of daylight to the building environment should not be under estimated. Research by the De Montfort University shows that natural light improves mood, concentration and creativity in people whether at work, home or involved in recreational activities or education. Plus, interior designers often favour natural light due to its ability to make a room feel more open and inviting.
Vertical windows have their place, but light can only travel inside the building up to 6 metres or so whereas a well designed roof light system will capture light throughout the day regardless of the sun’s position and improve peoples’ well being and reduce energy costs.
The type of glass used in skylights can control the building environment. Solar control glass can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% in the summer and low-emissivity coatings retain heat in winter, thus saving heating and cooling costs throughout the year.
Natural daylight is proven to enhance performance in pupils at school, reduce absenteeism in the work place and improve recovery of patience in hospitals. Many care homes are now building facilities for the elderly featuring a central atrium rooflight ensuring a healthy environment for less able elderly who may otherwise rarely venture out of doors.
So what options for roof lights are available to designers?
Whether you’re looking for traditional or contemporary design, we’ve got the roof light solution to suit your project style.
Discover our range of roof lights
We manufacture a broad range of roof windows which offer easy installation and are suited to a variety of different roof types. Our roof lights fully comply with building regulations and can be created using triple or double glazed glass.
Walk-On Roof Lights
Extra strong glass can be specified suitable for walk-on skylights. These can be small single pane rooflights or larger multi-pane roof lights featuring reinforced intermediate glazing bars to support the very heavy glass and pedestrian traffic. Most walk-on roof lights available as standard are only suitable for domestic use, so if the rooflight is in a public area where foot traffic is higher, then calculations should be carried out by a structural engineer to ensure the correct glass is specified to cope with the higher load.
Roof Lanterns
Roof lanterns and skylights feature integral ridge and hip members and a cill section or ring beam for fixing to a curb or upstand on flat roofs. Various shapes and sizes are available including hipped, gable ended, octagonal, faceted or pyramid roof lights. Some feature glazing bars at regular intervals and some may be described as ‘frameless’ roof lights as larger glass panels are used and bonded with silicone rather than a conventional rafter section and capping. Some systems permit the addition of opening ventilators which may be manual or electrically operated and include control panels for remote or thermostatic control.
Atrium Roof Lights
Large area glazing may still be referred to as a rooflight, but more often large glass roofs are better described as sloped glazing, roof glazing, inclined glazing or atriums. In the simplest form, patent glazing can be used to provide overhead glazing for stations, markets, canopies and walkways combined with single glazing for unheated spaces. Where the building is heated, then a thermally broken rooflight system is required featuring double or triple glazed units which can provide Uvalues as low as 0.6W/m2.K. Air-tightness is another important factor in roof lights as this enables better control of the building environment especially when low-emissivity and solar control glass is specified.
Our Roof Light Case Studies
Discover some of the roof light projects that we’ve worked on
Roof Light FAQs
What are the benefits of roof lights?
The benefits of roof lights are endless. Not only do they allow more light to travel throughout the building, but their efficiency can help you save on your energy bills and increase your overall property value. If you opt for an opening rooflight, you will notice a higher level of air flow and natural ventilation throughout the building. The fresh air and enhanced light in your building will greatly improve your mood and health, also.
Are roof lights energy efficient?
Yes! Our roof lights and skylights are manufactured with the best materials to ensure high efficiency. The thermally broken frames, high-quality glass, and silicone seals combine to create an incredibly energy-efficient addition to your building.
Do you need planning permission to install a roof light?
Most buildings are eligible for skylight installation without the need for planning permission. If your skylight is liable to protrude more than 150mm above the existing roof plane, you may need to consult your local council to find out whether you’re breaking any rules that may be in place. Generally, planning permission only applies if building and home owners intend to make very visible alterations to your property.
Can you walk on flat roof lights?
So long as you use toughened and laminated walk-on glass, your flat glass roof light will be suitable for walking on. This particular glass type is manufactured to meet the safety requirements necessary for walk-on skylights. Toughened and laminated glass does not shatter, is more durable, and it can hold more weight than ordinary glass.
What size are your roof lights?
We supply a wide range of standard sizes, as well as offering bespoke roof light options to meet the project needs of all types of roof styles. Contact our team for more information.
Is a roof light the same as an access hatch?
Typically, these features meet two different needs. In most cases, the opening of a roof light is not wide enough to be safely used as an access hatch. However, if you need this specific usage for your roof light, then our team can advise you on custom made options.
Get your competitive quote today
We offer stock lengths or a design and fabrication service with all materials, pre-drilled, cut to size complete with all necessary fittings and fasteners ready for immediate installation. Contact us today.
Call us on 020 8801 4221 Email us at info@lonsdalemetal.co.uk
