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POLDHURST MANOR CONT .
If your conservation rooflight does require a glazing bar then it should be a genuine one . This is an area that separates those producing close replicas to the original Victorian rooflights and those who are trying to pass off modern skylights as something more traditional . A genuine glazing bar should be something which not only divides the glazing but also provides additional strength to the casement . So many conservation rooflights have something simply stuck or glued onto the outside of the glass which neither looks good nor provides any benefit to the rooflight . In addition , these stuck on bars ( usually plastic ) often attract dirt and mould and the lifespan of anything which is simply held on by tape or glue is unlikely to compare with a genuine steel glazing bar . A stuck-on glazing bar is one step up from a felt pen but certainly should not be seen as a way to make a modern bulky framed profile meet the criteria of a conservation rooflight .
Top hung or centre pivot ?
Once again , if you are looking for a close replica of a Victorian rooflight then a top hung profile will be the one you should opt for . Not only does a top hung design offer a more authentic appearance , it maximises the space below because the casement doesn ’ t stick into the room . Smaller top hung rooflights also utilise beautiful brass ironmongery to operate the casement whereas centre pivot designs tend to rely on modern plastic handles , which are out of reach and offer nothing to enhance the internal aesthetics .
Is any old conservation rooflight suitable for my project ?
Just because something is sold as a conservation rooflight , that doesn ’ t automatically make it suitable for all building types . If your building is Listed or in a conservation area then the criteria for using conservation rooflights are much stricter and you should always gain approval , not only for their use but also the manufacturer that you would want to use .
There are only a handful of companies that specifically make conservation rooflights and even fewer who design , manufacture and assemble in the UK . Many conservation rooflights available online are simply other products which have been spruced up to look like they meet the requirements of that type of product . If you ask a supplier what the main difference is between their conservation rooflight and those used on modern buildings and the answer is a stuck-on glazing bar , then you should avoid it at all costs . Likewise , there are many elements which go into a genuine conservation design and price is always a reflection on quality .
Is there anything else I should consider when choosing my conservation rooflight ?
With the UK government pursuing a carbon neutral environment it is imperative that every action is taken to reduce energy consumption . Rooflights are energy efficient as they let in large amounts of natural light thus reducing the need for artificial lighting . Bringing natural daylight into your home is about much more than creating a bright , welcoming environment , it ’ s about protecting your health and wellbeing and achieving a more positive way of life .
One way to ensure that you maximise the amount of available light is to increase the size of your rooflights … Or is it ? Just because you have a large rooflight this does not always guarantee lots of light and you should always check what the finished viewable ( often referred to as clear viewable ) area of the rooflight will be . You might think that a conservation rooflight with a whole frame size of 900mm ( w ) x 1200mm ( h ) would have a similar clear viewable area regardless of the manufacturer , but you would be wrong ; bulky framed modern types or the flat rooflights posing as pitched conservation styles will let in considerably less light than a genuine steel framed version .
With so many choices available , choosing the right conservation rooflight can be a bit of a minefield but with the right guidance and advice it need not be a stressful experience . At Stella we focus on each element of our conservation rooflight and our attention to detail is second to none , providing a realistic yardstick to measure the performance of other conservation rooflight designs . Our aim has always been to provide the best looking and best performing conservation rooflight on the market .
Whether you are building from the ground up , renovating an existing environment or extending to create more room , we know that quality is important to you and getting it wrong is just not an option .
We go further than anyone else to ensure only the finest quality materials are used in the manufacture of all our rooflights . We are the only rooflight manufacturer to use marine grade 316 stainless steel , offer a marine grade paint coating ( C5 application ) and provide a real wood internal finish on all our rooflights as standard . No other company provides such a high specification for conservation rooflights .
For further information or to discuss your conservation rooflight requirement contact the Stella Rooflight team on 01794 745445 or email info @ stellarooflight . co . uk .
www . stellarooflight . co . uk
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