34 | JULY 2019
Products
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
STAYING ON THE RIGHT
SIDE OF ROOFLIGHT
REGULATIONS IN
CONSERVATION AREAS
With over 10,000 conserva-
tion areas throughout England,
and each local authority across
the country responsible for at
least one area, the renovation or
construction of new build prop-
erties within these locations is
continuing to increase in popular-
ity. For installers and fabricators,
this may initially present a difficult
challenge as they not only have
to fulfil the personal tastes of
the homeowner, but also meet all
requirements outlined by the local
council.
Here Sabahudin Medic, Oper-
ations Director at Roof Maker,
explores how professionals can
ensure they are compliant with all
relevant regulations, whilst also
giving a step-by-step guide on
how to install its new Conservation
Luxlite™ model.
Introduced in the latest 1960s,
conservation areas place ad-
ditional development control
on building projects in order to
enhance and preserve the history
of the area. With this in mind, the
renovation or new build project
should help to improve the existing
building and overall impression
of the area, whilst also helping
to preserve the structure that is
already there.
According to the Planning (List-
ed Buildings and Conservation
Areas) Act 1990, the quality of the
build materials is of great impor-
tance to maintain the distinc-
tiveness and visual appeal of the
location. With regard to replacing
windows and rooflights in par-
ticular, the new building products
should replicate the originals, al-
though under permitted develop-
ment, there is the opportunity for
varying products to be installed.
However, installers must check
there is not an Article 4 Direction
on the property, which removes
the right for permitted develop-
ment, such as installing rooflights
or windows. As always, relevant
building regulations must also
always be referred to.
Whilst the visual finish of the
product should replicate that of
the original, there is the opportuni-
ty for installers to add contempo-
rary benefits to the build by install-
ing innovative and technologically
advanced solutions. For example,
by fitting a conservation skylight
that is triple glazed, the overall
thermal efficiency of the property
can be improved. With some roof-
lights offering a Ug-value as low
as 0.6w/m²k as standard, or even
as low as 0.2w/m²k if Roof Maker’s
specialist Ultimate Performance
Reflex® Glass is specified.
Roof Maker’s latest Conserva-
tion Luxlite™ rooflight is specifical-
ly designed to replicate the orig-
inal Victorian cast iron skylight,
featuring a slim shaped split bar
that is constructed of high quality
aluminium for better weathering
and aesthetics. Unlike existing
conservation skylights where the
split is sandwiched between the
glass panes, Roof Maker’s split is
structurally bonded to the glass to
eliminate the presence of a cold
bridge, significantly minimising the
risk of condensation forming and
retaining the best possible thermal
performance.
Roof Maker designs,
manufactures and supplies
rooflights, developed to address
the most demanding challenges
faced by customers. Offering
standard or bespoke sizes,
Roof Maker, which has been
delivering its premium glazed
products since 2001, can help
transform even the most unusual
living or working spaces. At the
forefront of engineering the most
advanced technical and design
specifications, Roof Maker is a
driving force in setting the criteria
for value and high-standards.
Passionate about its customers
the company provide an
unparalleled level of skilled advice
to help customers choose the
right rooflight for each individual
project, all backed by the latest
industry accreditations.
TO INSTALL ROOF MAKER’S
FIXED CONSERVATION LUXLITE™,
FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
1
Fit trimmers to
the rafters
The internal dimensions of
the aperture created by the
trimmers and rafters should
match the size of the Con-
servation Luxlite™ ordered.
Fit the trimmers across the
rafters adjacent to the aper-
ture, and a beam across the
trimmers
2
Fit underfelt to
the roof
Fit underfelt to the roof. The
underfelt should extend to
the rim of the aperture where
the Conservation Luxlite™ will
be installed. Seal the under-
felt to the timber around the
aperture