When choosing non-traditional windows for your home, it might be a little puzzling. Here, we explain what it means when it talks about skylights, rooflights.
The sun's rays are well-known for their health advantages, particularly Vitamin D. It boosts calcium for bone formation, can assist regulate the immune system, and can even aid in enhancing sleep quality. What does any of this have to do with flat roof windows? This buyer's guide will explain what they are and much more.
Definition
A skylight is described in the dictionary as "a window placed in a roof or ceiling at the same angle," and since the term "skylight" is so wide, it may be used to refer to both pitched and flat roofs when discussing them.
History
Until around 10 to 15 years ago, if you had a flat roof on your home, it typically meant you had an attached garage where you housed all of the stuff you didn't want in the house but couldn't bear to throw away
Since the 2008 crisis, more and more homeowners have chosen to build upwards and outwards rather than relocate due to the economic downturn. Building an extension or converting your loft space into an additional room has become a popular option in recent years, with people preferring to add value to their property rather than risking a move to another property in the current climate.
Because of this shift in homeowner thinking, as well as advancements in cutting-edge technology, installing a skylight in your house is now simply cheap and may add even more value to your property.
How to choose flat roof lights
Many elements will influence the installation of flat roof lights. Here are some of the factors to consider when purchasing flat roof lights.
Location
What location do you want a roof light installed? They can, after all, be deployed practically anyplace. When it comes to flat roof windows, there are just two constraints. That means, you must have enough flat roof space for the window to be installed, and your roof must be between 0° and 15° in pitch.
Purpose
As previously said, many types of roof windows cannot be put in particular places owing to their purpose as well as their installation position. However, consider what you want as a consequence of putting the roof light when deciding what style of roof light you want. Do you want greater protection in addition to the extra lighting? How many do you require? Do you want a lot or a little more light coming into your home? There are several varieties that may be used for a variety of purposes. As a result, before making a final selection, it's critical to understand why you want to install roof lights.
Types of flat roof skylights
Flat Glass Rooflights
When it comes to installing a skylight in your flat roof, maximizing the quantity of natural light entering your house is frequently the top concern. This is the ultimate reason for getting one placed in the first place.
Flat glass rooflights are made consisting of a double, triple, or quadruple glazed flat glass unit with an insulated supporting upstand. Some items may require you to construct your own on-site upstand to support the flat glass unit; however, this is explicitly stated on the essential products. This is our most basic flat roof skylight, and with low costs, it's very reasonable when you're just starting to think about installing a flat roof skylight.
Opening roof lights
These rooflights are exactly what their name implies. In contrast to fixed, they can, yes, be opened! This implies that, in addition to the natural light, ventilation may be supplied as an extra benefit. You may have them equipped with locking mechanisms to enhance security. Rooflights that open are ideal for individuals who have walk-on roof terraces. They can also be an important mode of emergency escape.
Flat Glass Domed Rooflights
When it comes to flat glass domed rooflights, VELUX and FAKRO are the market leaders. The addition of a single-skin, polycarbonate roof dome provides the same benefits as flat glass rooflights by preventing noise from entering your house.
Rainwater is simply able to glide off the unit and onto your flat roof with the additional dome located over the flat glass rooflight providing an extra degree of protective protection, preventing any sort of pooling.
Flat Roof Lanterns & Pyramids
Flat roof lanterns and pyramids, designed for modern or contemporary homes, provide a beautiful perspective of the sky above and up to three times more natural light than vertical uPVC windows.
While the majority of pyramids and lanterns are non-opening, some of our manufacturers provide the option of adding ventilation with a manual or electrically controlled vent-flap or sliding opening flat roof lantern. You can easily create your own flat roof lanterns with the vast selection of alternatives available. We give you the option of interior and exterior finish, glass finish (clear, blue tint, or privacy), and the option to incorporate a blind with your skylight.
Types of skylights for pitched roof
Center Pivot Roof Windows
When it comes to installing a skylight in a pitched roof, this is the most common and apparent option. The center-pivot window was the first type of opening mechanism on a roof window, and it is available in manual, electrically controlled, or solar powered versions.
Because half of the window comes in when open, the center-pivot roof window is best suited for out-of-reach installations, although it may also be utilized for eye level installations.
Top Hung Roof Windows
Top-hung roof windows, designed to allow you to enjoy the nicest views, do not enter the room when opened and are perfect for eye-level installations due to the way they open. There is no risk of hitting your head on a low swinging sash when the window is opened since none of the sash enters the room.
Certain sizes of top hanging skylights are suited for eye-level installations and fulfill means of escape requirements as per your local building official's rules, as well as being perfect for getting access onto the roof for any maintenance.
Plastic or glass?
While most of us may agree that the finest types of rooflights are polycarbonate plastic or glass, deciding which one is appropriate for your project can be tough. We'll look at some of the distinctions between the two so you can evaluate which is superior in specific areas.
Aesthetics
In terms of aesthetics, we should consider what the two types of rooflights may provide. While both would be visually appealing when placed, especially from below. In terms of aesthetics, glass rooflights are normally flat as opposed to thermoformed shapes such as a dome or pyramid. While polycarbonate is a less expensive option, light transmission is not compromised, and the overall looks are similar to glass from the inside.
Resistance to impact
Another factor to consider is the degree of impact resistance that each material can withstand. Polycarbonate Plastic is one of the toughest, most durable, and long-lasting materials available, and it can withstand significant impact before fracturing and shattering. Glass is needed to fulfill particular criteria, which means it is toughened and laminated to avoid breakage and fall through. Polycarbonate is frequently classified as non-fragile. In the case of damage to fixing points or UV coatings, it is unavoidable that this will act as a catalyst for product deterioration, reducing the duration that the assembly will stay non-fragile.
Transmission of light
When it comes to light transmission in flat roof skylights, both polycarbonate and glass rooflights appear to be evenly matched. The amount and quality of light that enters through the rooflights is always a significant concern, as you clearly want as much pure and uninterrupted light as possible. Because they are both transparent materials, a plastic rooflight and a glass rooflight produce the same amount of light when used. Alternatively, with polycarbonate skylights, a tint can be added to the material to reduce glare from the sun on exceptionally bright days.
Thermal effectiveness
With the rising need for energy efficiency, this might be an important factor to consider when picking between glass and plastic. Rooflight efficiency may be quantified in a variety of methods, the most popular being the U-Value. This is a total thermal performance measurement that may be used to calculate heat loss in a building. The lower the U-Value, the better the thermal performance of the material. The Part L Regulations require a U-Value of no less than 2.2 W/m2K for rooflights. In general, at least three layers of plastic are required to get a U-Value of roughly 2.2. In comparison, glass will achieve values of 1.5 or less when manufactured as double glazed sealed units. Obviously, the more you tweak each material, the greater the U-Values you'll acquire.
Keep flat roof lights functional
Roof lights are not required for maintenance. To keep them in good shape, make sure they are checked on a regular basis and cared for. Here are some things you can do to help them live a long life.
Clean it once in a while
You'll need to keep an eye on the look, just like you would with any other form of window. It is advised that you examine the windows every six months to deal with any filth or dirt buildup. Be cautious, as this might be anything from bird droppings to pollution, rainfall, or other dirt. To remove such debris, most manufacturers recommend washing with soapy water or glass cleaning chemicals on a regular basis. To minimize accidents, avoid leaning on the glass and utilize a ladder securely.
Repairs
When it comes to flat roof windows, leaks are frequent. They are typically caused by broken window sills or improper installation. As a result, you should consider contacting a professional as soon as possible to examine, repair, and/or replace the window. If done quickly enough, this can assure the window's long life for your property.
Conclusion
There are simply too many different types of skylights to cover in one blog post. Of course, all the reviews about them are good or excellent. However, in this article, we hope we've made your decision on which product to purchase simpler and easier.
