APRIL 2024 | 39 |
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What material is the conservation rooflight manufactured from ?
If a conservation rooflight is all frame , then there is little point in having one . Genuine conservation designs should be manufactured with slim , clean lines and a low-profile to match the roofline . A number of skylight companies try to produce conservation rooflights using modern bulky aluminium profiles , which sit proud of the roofline , particularly slate . It is widely accepted that most authentic conservation rooflights are manufactured from steel because it provides great strength while offering a slim profile and excellent glass to frame ratios .
Single or double glazed ?
Victorian rooflights would have been single glazed , however , today ’ s modern building standards are much higher and so single glazing does not meet the minimum requirements for thermal efficiency ( Part L ). Double glazing is now the most popular option for genuine conservation rooflights because glazing technology is such that a modern double glazed unit can provide a number of benefits while remaining reasonably slender .
Some conservation rooflight suppliers are keen to boast about offering triple glazing in their products , however , while this does offer a slightly improved thermal performance it comes at the expense of appearance . The optimal spacer bar thickness is 16mm so any decent triple glazed unit is going to be almost 50 % thicker than a double glazed version . Now with a flush fitting profile being one of the main requirements of a conservation rooflight , the introduction of triple glazing makes that almost impossible on some roof types .
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Glazing bars ?
It is often a stipulation from the Conservation Officer that a conservation rooflight should have a glazing bar to replicate that original Victorian appearance . It is not always the case but it is definitely worth checking whether you need them before purchasing any conservation rooflight .
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 .
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
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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 at all costs . Likewise , there are many elements which go into a genuine conservation design and price is always a reflection on quality .
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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 and 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 .
www . stellarooflight . co . uk
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