Pro Installer October 2017 - Issue 55 | Page 32

32 | OCTOBER 2017 Roof Technology TEN TOP TIPS FOR GLASS IN OVERHEAD SETTINGS Specifying the right glass can provide both style and substance in an overhead setting. Phil Brown, European regulatory marketing manag- er at Pilkington United King- dom Limited, part of the NSG Group, offers his top tips. A glass roof in a conserv- atory or skylight not only adds a touch of style to a home, it can also make rooms appear bigger and brighter. Additionally, incor- porating the latest glazing technologies in a roof can save money on heating bills, cut cleaning demands and reduce the amount of noise transmitted during bad weather. Here are some helpful tips for choosing the right glass when installing or renovating a roof: 1. Safety first. Specifying the correct glass is essential, especially if the roof is slop- ing. If the glazing forms part of an accessible roof area, then it may also need to be treated as a glass floor. 2. Bring the outdoors in. Thanks to its ability to provide unobstructed views, structural glazing can help create the illusion of being outside when used in an overhead setting, while still offering occupants the warmth and comfort of a liv- ing room or conservatory. 3. Forget about the cleaning. Pilkington Activ™ Clear has a unique dual action microscopic coating that reacts with daylight to break down dirt, before washing it away once in contact with rainwater. This is perfect for use on those hard-to-reach roofs. 4. Mix and match. By combining high-performance products such as Pilkington Activ™ with Pilkington K Glass™ or Pilkington Optith- erm™, a glass roof can not only be kept clean, it can help to minimise heat loss during the winter. 5. Bin those earplugs. Plastic conservatory roofs are unbearably noisy when it rains. Specialist glass in- corporating noise-reducing techno