8 | JUNE 2019
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
ROOFLIGHTS IN CONSERVATION
AREAS – ARE YOU COMPLIANT?
With over 10,000 conservation areas
throughout England, and each local
authority across the country responsible
for at least one area, the renovation or
construction of new build properties
within these locations is continuing to
increase in popularity. 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, Op-
erations Director at Roof Maker,
explores how professionals can
ensure they are compliant with all
relevant regulations, without com-
promising on aesthetics, particu-
larly with regard to the roof.
Introduced in the latest 1960s,
conservation areas place additional
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
(Listed Buildings and Conservation
Areas) Act 1990, the quality of the
build materials is of great im-
portance 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,
although 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.
To ensure constant compliance
with all legislation, installers must
here remember that the external
character of the property must
be maintained, which is why it’s
always recommended to source
materials that are of similar aes-
thetics to the originals. Specifically
for rooflights, fabricators must
ensure they are fitting rooflights
that feature the iconic black metal
bar, which replicates the visual ap-
peal of the original Victorian cast
iron roof windows of traditional
properties.
Most commonly the glazing bar
would be located in the centre
of the rooflight and have a black
finish, however, multiple split bars
would be used on larger units.
Creating the appearance of a
single rooflight with two or more
panes of glass was the typical style
during the Victorian era. Installers
must also ensure that the rooflight
delivers a lower profile than nor-
mal rooflights for an unobtrusive
finish to the exterior.
Whilst the visual finish of the
product should replicate that of the
original, there is the opportunity
for installers to add contemporary
benefits to the build by installing
innovative and technologically ad-
vanced solutions. For example, by
fitting a conservation skylight that
is triple glazed, the overall thermal
efficiency of the property can be
improved, with some rooflights of-
fering Ug-value as low as 0.6w/m²k
as standard. This combination of
traditional style with contemporary
benefits reflects the very purpose
of Conservation Areas, which aim
to improve and enhance, rather
than replace.
Latest product developments
also combine the traditional style
of glazing bar with modern tech-
nologies, such as remote control
opening, which improves the func-
tionality of the rooflight, support-
ing easy ventilation throughout
the home.
Roof Maker’s latest Conservation
Luxlite™ rooflight is specifically
designed to replicate the origi-
nal 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.
The bonding process also elimi-
nates the opportunity for dirt and
debris to accumulate underneath
the split, a potential issue with
other skylights that only feature a
rubber seal. By constructing the
split from aluminium, rather than
commonly used steel, the oppor-
tunity for risk of corrosion is also
greatly reduced.
Whilst undertaking new build or
renovation projects within Conser-
vation Areas may initially appear
a tricky task, installers can help to
significantly improve the function-
ality and efficiency of a property,
whilst also enhancing its tradition-
al exterior appeal. By specifying
products that can be ordered,
delivered and installed within
short lead times, professionals can
also streamline the process for
both the homeowner and the local
authority, ensuring the building
work is carried out as sensitively
and professionally as possible.
info.roof-maker.co.uk/conservation