GRP has been the rooflight material of choice in the farming industry for well over half a century , but if an inadequate grade of GRP is installed as a rooflight , its appearance and especially its performance can be compromised quickly by the effects of age and weathering . Inferior performance grades of GRP are unfortunately commonplace in farm buildings as construction costs have been driven down and rooflight quality has suffered as a result . These lower quality rooflights are characterised by the alarming speed by which they deteriorate , suffering rapid surface erosion and advanced yellowing often within months of installation . Utilising the company ’ s 50 years of experience in the design

and manufacture of GRP rooflights , Brett Martin has developed the Farmlite GRP rooflight to help combat these problems by providing a more durable , naturally translucent and longer lasting agricultural rooflight .

Each Farmlite GRP rooflight sheet comes with dual action UV surface protection and specially formulated UV resistant resins as standard , so the long term effects of weathering are greatly reduced and as a result stay clearer for longer than the traditionally used inferior grades of GRP . By maintaining their natural translucency , Farmlite rooflights provide free , quality natural light which is proven to encourage healthier , more diseaseresistant livestock and improved conditions for farm workers . Farmlite GRP rooflights can also contribute to energy savings by helping reduce the consumption of electric light in the farm building .

As well as improved clarity for longer periods , each sheet is also more resistant to surface erosion and weakening . With greatly improved durability , Farmlite GRP will continue to be structurally strong and fit for purpose for at least

25 years under normal working conditions .

In terms of composition , Farmlite GRP rooflights are stronger because they contain a glass fibre content of at least 33 %. Some rooflights commonly used in the farm buildings sector have as little as 25 % glass fibre – which equates to 25 % less reinforcement and 25 % less strength than Farmlite .

Manufactured in the UK to EN 1013 under the ISO 9001 Quality Management System , Farmlite GRP rooflights are available in all the common agricultural profiles , including Big 6 , and in a range of strengths to achieve whatever safety level is required as well as U-values and fire ratings as stipulated in current Building Regulations . It can be used in single skin , double skin and triple skin site assembled rooflight applications or as wall lights in all types of agricultural buildings such as barns , sheds , milking parlours ’, animal housing , stables and equestrian buildings .

What about the cost ? Surprisingly this advanced technology is affordable and available at very little additional cost compared to the performance

improvements offered . For example , assuming a 10 % rooflight area of 30m2 on a farm building of 20m x 15m the cost of Farmlite rooflights would be approximately only £ 60- £ 90 more than lower grade GRP sheets which will deteriorate within a year . It is clear that the additional price for Farmlite rooflights is negligible in comparison to the clear benefits of long term durability , protection from yellowing and quality light transmission .

Farmlite GRP rooflights form part of Brett Martin ’ s extensive range of GRP sheets for roofs and sidelights which are available in over 900 profiles , a wide range of options and choice of product performance .

Rooflights make a vital contribution to every building , from improving internal conditions to reducing energy use and running costs . With the company ’ s Farmlite GRP rooflights , Brett Martin Daylight Systems has once again set the standard for the industry with a range that will transform the performance of agricultural buildings across the UK and Ireland for minimal extra cost .