Selecting the perfect rooflight can elevate your space by maximising natural light and creating a stunning architectural feature. In this blog, we explore the key factors to consider when choosing the ideal rooflight for your requirements.
A rooflight can transform your home through increasing the levels of natural daylight and fresh air. The options are vast. from simple, fixed rooflights such as the Fixed Flushglaze Rooflight to asthetic, sliding rooflights for increased fresh air such as the Sliding Over Roof Rooflight.
Choosing the correct Rooflight or roof window to suit your requirements is important, and many factors can influence the product that you opt for.
What To Consider
With so many glass rooflights on the market, it can be hard to know which product is able to meet your specific requirements; Whether they are increased levels of natural daylight, enhanced ventilation or easy access to your roof space.
The Type of Rooflights
Rooflights come in many different styles and sizes, and the type of rooflight that you should purchase depends on your specific requirements.
Fixed rooflights can not be opened and therefore act as a permanent source of natural daylight, fixed rooflights such as the Glazing Vision Fixed Flushglaze provide ‘frameless’ internal views allowing building occupants to feel connected to the nature outside, they are an ideal solution if you live in an area of natural beauty.
Opening rooflights are both a source of natural daylight and ventilation, and can be either manually or electrically operated through the use of a remote control or a wall mounted switch, depending on your requirements and placement of the rooflight.
Whilst most flat rooflights can be installed at pitches of up to 70 degrees, if your roof is at a pitch of 70 degrees or more, you need to opt for a roof window as opposed to a flat rooflights.
The Size & Shape
When you have considered and decided the type of rooflight that you are going to purchase, you need to ensure that you have the space on your roof for your desired product.
Most rooflights will be available in a variety of sizes, you should carefully consider the available space on your roof before buying your rooflight, particularly when you are opting for an opening rooflight, as clearance room needs to be taken into consideration.
In addition to the size of the rooflight, the shape of your desired rooflight should be considered. The rooflight should complement the existing aesthetics of your building.
The Glazing Material
A wide variety of rooflights will be manufactured with glass as the primary glazing material as they offer improved aesthetics and functionality – Glass rooflights offer clear views to the outside, allowing increased levels of natural daylight in the home. Glass rooflights can be manufactured to a range of specifications such as double/triple glazing, walk-on, obscured, and more, depending on your requirements.
Selected rooflights such as dome rooflights are typically manufactured using Polycarbonate as the primary glazing material. Polycarbonate rooflights act as a more cost effective option as the material is lightweight and less expensive than glass. Utilising Polycarbonate as the glazing material provides good thermal insulation, however options are limited in terms of different specifications.
If you are looking to purchase a walk-on rooflight or a rooflight for a private area, you will need to specify a glass rooflight as they can be specially manufactured with walk-on or obscured glass.
Installation Requirements
Different types and sizes of rooflights will require different installation methods and preparations – Prior to purchasing your rooflight, you will need to ensure that there is adequate access to your rooftop to allow the rooflight to be installed safely and securely. If there is not adequate access to your chosen area, consider installing the rooflight on a more accessible area of the roof. If this is not possible, contact experienced contractors who will have the necessary equipment (such as scaffolding or cherry-pickers) to access the difficult-to-reach area.
In addition to ensuring suitable access, you should assess if the area of the roof is suitable for your desired rooflight – some roofs may require structural modifications to accommodate the additional weight of the rooflight.
Budget
The final factor to consider when looking to buy a rooflight is your budget, as this could constrain you in the types and sizes of rooflights that you should look at.
Prior to looking at the various rooflight options available on the market, you should set a budget and explore the options that offer the best value for money without compromising on quality and performance.
If you are proceeding with a lower budget, you may wish to opt for a stock rooflight as they typically are less expensive as they are not made to order.
Made to order and bespoke rooflights come with a higher price tag as they require more labour, however the benefit of proceeding with a made to order or bespoke unit is that it can be fully customised to your requirements, and your property architecture.
How To Proceed
Now that you have chosen your glass rooflight, you are one step closer to unlocking the true potential of your home.
There are a final few factors to consider before ordering your rooflight. Firstly, you should proceed with a manufacturer who offers a warranty period, therefore you can purchase your rooflight with peace of mind that if there are faults or damage to the product, it will be covered by the manufacturer.
Secondly, you should consider the maintenance requirements of having a rooflight as some rooflights will need cleaning regularly to allow a clean and seamless view to the outside.
