"rooflights"

Project: Surespan designed and manufactured these huge electrically operated sliding glazed roof hatches also provide free airflow of 7m² for smoke ventilation!These bespoke designs were part of a redevelopment on Great Portland Street in London. The covers were 4610 x 1955mm and featured an electrically driven opening motor.Product:The covers provide 7m² free airflow (As it is sliding there are no obstructions to the ventilation) according to approved document B (fire safety) paragraph 5b diagrams C.7.The glazing features laminated and heat-strengthened low iron glass to L40.A further fixed rooflight was also supplied to the size of 4935mm x 1955mm, the thermally broken multi-pane rooflight provides natural daylight

Glazing Vision have worked on a number of projects with Architects, ARCHEA, who are Victorian house experts specialising in adapting period houses into modern homes. These homes regularly demand an uplift in natural daylight, and Glazing Vision have formed a great relationship with ARCHEA to help transform many of their projects into well-lit, healthy, and happy environments for a number of families.These particular homes are all located within 10 minutes of each other in Hackney, London, with all clients looking to transform their period property into a contemporary home. Each project involved an extension and required a significant increase in natural daylight to help better the health and wellbeing of the families residing in each home which is where Glazing Vision stepped in.“When adding a ground floor extension, we often need to include rooflights to add light and views both to the new spaces and existing rooms in the home. Whilst fully glazed roofs can be used, this approach typically incurs more cost and extended lead-times due to the glazing being bespoke and needing to be made to order. By using large format, off-the-shelf rooflights we can incorporate extensive areas of glazing, but at a much lower cost and faster turnaround. We then use these in combination with traditional roof construction techniques, which are simple to construct and maintain.” – Richard Skinner, ARCHEA.ARCHEA regularly specify Glazing Vision’s Flushglaze Fixed Rooflight, a minimalist product with ‘frameless’ internal views designed to allow as much natural daylight into a room as possible. When working with pitched roofs, ARCHEA often opt for the Glazing Vision Pitchglaze Fixed Roof Window which is designed to be installed in pitched tiled roof applications flush with the tiling line, providing you with a vast amount of natural daylight.“We initially chose Glazing Vision because of their wide range of high-quality rooflights, and since working with them on a number of projects we value the help of their Technical Sales Team who are always on hand for technical support. We typically use the Flushglaze Fixed units as the extensions we work with usually involve a flat roof for practical and planning reasons and the Flushglaze offers the largest and best value standard glazing solution on the market. The standard aspect is vital for us as we are often looking for short lead times, and so this element adds so much value. When working with pitched roofs we instead use the Pitchglaze Fixed Roof Window which fit flush within the roof offering a sleek finish.” – Richard Skinner, ARCHEA.You can purchase our off the shelf rooflights and roof windows via rooflights.com, our online rooflight shop!Photography: Mai-ling Leung of ARCHEA

A retrofit project transforms an iconic 19th century building into a modern office Read about a refurbishment project that includes a glazing panel rooflight installation as part of sustainable design to improve EPC ratings at The Drill Hall

Step into the sunlight-soaked transformation of Jasmin and Liam’s home, where sustainability meets bespoke design. Passionate about making their home as much of a “Passive House” as possible, the homeowners embarked on a renovation journey and, with help from Vario by VELUX, incorporated our well-loved products—the Rectangular rooflight and Unlimited rooflight in key spots in their home.Read on to discover how Vario rooflights have effortlessly transformed an Edwardian house filled with dark rooms into a spacious sanctuary flooded with natural light and a healthy, sustainable home for the family for many years to come.Brightening up an Edwardian home with Bespoke Flat Roof WindowsIn August 2020, the couple found their dream home and aimed to create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle as they were working from home more than ever. Craving extra space, a larger garden, and a seamless outdoor connection, they sought to transform their house into a haven for both living and thriving. Despite the challenge of an Edwardian layout, they collaborated with Vario by VELUX to infuse every corner with natural light. Using bespoke roof lights, the plan was to flood key spaces like the kitchenA Passive House with Bespoke SkylightsAs seen on UK TV, our couple's journey to revamp their Edwardian home isn't just a makeover—it's a dive into sustainable living to get as close to a "passive house" as possible, which speaks volumes about their commitment to the environment. "I think that maximising natural light in the home is really important," shares Jasmin, underscoring the importance of a bright, naturally illuminated space.Focus on Daylight and VentilationInvesting in natural light goes beyond mere aesthetics; it's a dedicated commitment to enhancing well-being, as expressed by the homeowners; “That kind of investment in natural light really does help with all facets of our life and for our creativity and mental health.” The double-height space benefits from a roof window directly above the staircase, enabling natural light to reach the floor below. We firmly believe that the staircase wouldn't have that impressive "wow factor" without this addition!In a world where spending more time indoors has become the norm, Jasmin and Liam recognised the value of a home that embraces maximum light while retaining energy and warmth, ensuring nothing is lost to the outside atmosphere, and keeping the home energy-efficient.And in line with the idea of a passive house, the rooflight and glazing help to retain heat during winter, keeping heating bills lower.In their home cinema, they have a VELUX window and a made-to-fit VELUX blackout blind; this is a great example of how Vario rooflights can integrate with standard pitched roof windows. Get a complete VELUX solution for your home today.Elevate your home with Vario by VELUXCollaborating with Vario by VELUX means getting a completely personalised and curated flat rooflight solution. With this partnership, Jasmin and Liam have forged a newfound connection to the outdoors and will significantly improve their family's long-term well-being. Their story serves as a roadmap for those looking to infuse a touch of modern technology, bespoke design, and thoughtful interior design into their homes.Ask our daylight expertsFeeling inspired? See how Vario by VELUX can transform any space with our Design A Rooflight tool, or Book a Call with our daylight experts today to discover how we can help you.Please note: Our installation service is currently only available in selected southern areas of the UK.

Paxman Avenue Secondary SchoolBauderflex bituminous waterproofing system with Euroglaze rooflightsSynopsisPaxman Avenue Secondary School is a new build project situated in Colchester, Essex. The school opened its doors for the first time in September 2019 welcoming 180 year 7 students. It is expected that the school will eventually hold 900 pupils by 2023.Bauder Building BoardProject: Paxman Avenue Secondary SchoolLocation: Colchester, EssexProject type: New buildRoof size: 2500m²Architect: Concertus Design & Property ConsultantsMain contractor: Barnes ConstructionApproved contractor: G.R.M Roofing Company LtdThe specificationThe main contractor, Barnes Construction, was looking for a durable, cost effective roof with longevity, and wanted a waterproofing system which included a comprehensive guarantee with great service and full support from the supplier, and so Bauder’s bituminous system, Bauderflex, was specified. Rooflights were also specified to increase natural light into the building.Bauder’s Rainwater Calculation Software was also used to perform calculations in accordance with BS EN 12056-3:2000 based upon provided data relating to the building’s dimensions, geographical location and the flow rate performance of the selected Bauder rainwater outlet product. This helped to determine the total number of outlets needed for the roof.Products appliedBauderflexA reinforced bituminous membrane system with a choice of self-adhesive and torch-applied membranes that are resistant to high levels of structural and thermal movement. Bauder Euroglaze rooflightsThese rooflights are made to order and the size can therefore be tailor made to fit any roof aperture, with many ventilation and glazing options are available to meet the demands of any type of project.The resultThe client was supported by the Bauder Area Technical Manager, Andy Leggett, from start to finish with help being provided on the design element of the project, and the Bauder approved contractors, G.R.M Roofing Company Ltd, were supported by Bauder site technicians throughout the installation.

Natural daylight can be hard to obtain in some rooms, especially when that room is situated on a second floor. Rooflights and Roof Windows can be a fantastic solution to this. Glazing Vision proved incredibly important to this new build using their technical knowledge and detail to create a new bespoke product to suit the client’s requirements.

Over the years Twinfix have supplied modular polycarbonate panels for use as rooflights in many railway stations and depots. Replacing the old canopy glazing used at rail stations with products from Twinfix’s range of polycarbonate glazing options floods the area with daylight while eliminating the common issues that occur with historic railway roof-glazing.

Over 420,000m² N65/500 profile was produced on site in what is, to-date, one of the largest aluminium roofs in the world. PVDF coated aluminium was used, and some areas of the roof incorporated continuous roll-formed tapers. Detailed and designed by the BEMO engineering team, complex thermal movement of aluminium panels had to be accommodated around many rooflights and penetrations

Installer – Metclad ContractsMain Contractor – R G Carter, CambridgeArchitect – MCW ArchitectsClient – University of BedfordshireSystem(s) – Vantage®️ SF in Anodised Regency Gold and PPC 9006 Syntha Pulvin Bespoke Curved Internal Rooflights and bespoke flashings throughout.The University of Bedfordshire has invested 40 million pounds in this new STEM building at its Central Luton campus.STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, however Pharmaceutical and Chemical Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, and Mechanical Engineering are also taught there.The project was a very big challenge to our design teams as the specification from MCW architects was predominately regency gold anodised . This spec calls for a special grade of aluminium and the finish means that we must leave welds as laid. Consequently, we had to consider different methods of fabrication to resolve with stunning resultsWe supplied our Vantage®️ SF Hook on rainscreen in both regency gold and powder coated, 9006 Silver however, the pinnacle of our supply was the bespoke curved anodised rooflight in silver 9006

A dated conservatory area is transformed by Breezefree with a retractable glass roof and polycarbonate curtain walling. Nagan Johnson Architects approached Breezefree to refurbish a dated conservatory area as part of the fit-out of the Cuban restaurant group’s second site in London’s Smithfield district. The brief required a modern retractable glass roof, to replace the old lean-to rooflight, and translucent curtain walling, to replace the dilapidated brick walls and windows...

A number of the building’s roofs at Roundwood Park School needed refurbishing to prevent further water ingress entering the classrooms below. The client wanted the new waterproofing system to be of high quality and provide falls to the roof to help mitigate ponding water. A no capital outlay PV solution and new rooflights were also desired as part of the works to optimise the roofs functionality. The school remained open throughout the project creating logistical challenges.

1,000m of red and blue double skin FAIRs (factory assembled insulating rooflights) provide an even and diffused daylight spread in Middlewich environmental hub in Cheshire. The hub operates as a multi-use site and the angled composite panels were fitted to a recycling centre as well as a vehicle workshop. The FAIRs were manufactured to to meet the specific light transmission requirements stipulated by the customer and specified to meet insulation fire and safety requirements.

The Gatwick Train Station upgrade, a critical component of the broader Brighton Main Line improvement initiative, aims to enhance the station's capacity and improve passenger experience. This project is a part of Network Rail's commitment to upgrade infrastructure, ensuring safety, efficiency, and modern facilities for travellers. Gatwick Airport Station, serving as a key transit hub, necessitated significant upgrades to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and future-proof its operations.The project's specific requirements included:Back of House: Full access to the flat roof area for maintenance and safety inspections.Platform 3 & 4: General roof access to gutters to ensure proper drainage and maintenance.Main Concourse Roof: General access to ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) rooflights and gutters for regular maintenance and cleaning.To meet these requirements, the following solutions were employed:Back of House – Free Standing GuardrailTo ensure safe access across the entire flat roof area without compromising the structural integrity of the building a free standing guardrail provided a non-penetrative solution, offering collective protection without the need for fixing into the roof membrane, thereby maintaining the roof's waterproofing integrity.Main Concourse Roof – MSA ManSafe SystemsTo provide secure and efficient access to ETFE rooflights and gutters, the MSA ManSafe Systems were installed. This system enabled safe access for maintenance personnel to perform necessary inspections and cleaning, ensuring the rooflights and gutters remain functional and in good condition.Platform 3 & 4 – Ascent Aluminium Walkway & StepsTo facilitate safe and easy access to the roof gutters the Ascent Aluminium Walkway & Steps system provided a durable and slip-resistant path, allowing maintenance crews to navigate the roof area safely and efficiently.Main Concourse Roof – Ascent Aluminium Walkway & StepsSimilar to Platform 3 & 4, the objective was to ensure safe access to roof areas. This system was crucial for maintaining the ETFE rooflights and gutters, offering a robust and reliable access route for maintenance tasks.Platform 3 & 4 – MSA ManSafe SystemsTo ensure comprehensive safety for personnel accessing the roof areas, the ClimbLatch ManSafe Systems were installed. This system provided fall protection and secure access points, enhancing overall safety during maintenance operations.The implementation of these solutions by Lindner Prater Ltd. significantly enhanced the safety and accessibility of Gatwick Train Station's roof areas. The tailored safety systems ensured that maintenance personnel could perform their duties efficiently without compromising their safety or the integrity of the station's infrastructure. These upgrades are a pivotal part of the station's modernisation, aligning with Network Rail's goal to deliver a more reliable and user-friendly railway service.For more details on the Gatwick Train Station upgrade, visit the Network Rail project page

Within an educational environment, natural light creates a comfortable space which can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of students and staff. When the existing bitumen roof at East Preston Infant School came to the end of its service life, naturally the decision was made to replace the existing roof and upgrade the rooflights. Kingspan Light + Air introduced 23 Kingspan Classic Skylight Domes into the building enabling the school to embrace natural light, ventilation and smoke management performance benefits.

Ayrshire technical College required replacement of their rooflights which are positioned over engineering workshop areas. The designated areas required good levels of light but with high quality transmission and insulation. The college needed a solution that was easy to install and so project time managed to ensure minimised noise and disruption. A series of Multivault GRP vaults were installed covering an area of approx. 800m2 or 15% of the total roof area providing an economic and yet highly effective daylighting solution.

Another example of the BBA Approved asbestos roof coating system, Asbestsoeal from Liquasil Ltd. The asbestos cement roof was first cleaned using a closed box pressure washer. All waste was filtered and disposed of by a licensed asbestos disposal contractor. Metal fixings were treated with Liquasil SWT Corrosion Primer and then sealed, along with small cracks and holes, with Non-Sag Sealer before the roof was coated with Asbestoseal 20. The project included GRP rooflight replacement and new ridge detail and flashings.

(Image courtesy of McLaren Construction). Over 13,000m2 of Trilite GRP triple skin Energysaver factory assembled rooflights were commissioned to bring natural diffused daylight into the enormous new build Range Distribution Centre in Avonmouth. The Range is located within Central Park, one of the most extensive distribution developments in the UK. At 1.2 million sq ft and a cost of £100 million, the Range is the largest distribution warehouse in the region. It has been constructed to respond to changes in consumer shopping habits and will serve to boost the significance of the location as a natural distribution hub.

The Olympic Stadium’s transformation into a multi-use stadium has seen the specification of Marlon CS polycarbonate rooflights. The 44,000m² roof is the largest cantilevered roof worldwide and includes 4,484 polycarbonate sheets. The project was a feat of production and delivery logistics with each sheet cut to size forming 2,756 unique shapes and labelled with a unique placement code to ease installation. With the stadium width 84 metres at its deepest, the transparent roof covers all 54,000 spectator seats protecting fans from the elements as well as ensuring optimum grass growth for pitch perfect conditions.

Marlon CS was chosen as the glazing option for the first phase of the expansion for the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City FC’s home ground.Clear Marlon CS allows for a high level of light transmission, an important requirement for football stadia as it not only provides a bright sheltered stand for spectators but promotes a healthy pitch without shadows, a must for televised matches.The success for this product is shown through Etihad Stadium as almost 1500m² of Marlon CS already glazed the existing canopy, with a further 4,000m² of Clear 2mm Marlon CS chosen for the construction of a new third tier. When used in Etihad Stadium, Marlon CS rooflights and side-lights provide light, bright stands where spectators are protected from the weather. This light weight sheet with impact resistance and exceptional spanning capabilities is ideal for installation in the metal structures favoured by stadia designers. Co-extruded UV protection cuts out 98% of harmful radiation reducing the effects of weathering and tinted options allow solar control.Engineered for use in roof light and side-light applications, it has a 10 year light transmission and a 3 year weather breakage warranty due to its strength and impact resistant design.Technical support was provided from design right through to installation. Since the stadium is an oval shape, each sheet of the polycarbonate had to be cut to fit exactly. By having the technical support alongside the assembly of the rooflights and side-lights, ensured no mistakes were made and allowed for a much easier installation process. 

Architect: Scenario Architecture. This beautiful Victorian villa received an innovative green-roofed extension full of natural light thanks to IDSystems installed bifold doors, gable end glazing, rooflights, window and door. The challenge for Scenario Architecture was to design an extension that was filled full of natural light, took into account the changing floor levels of the property. Under the pitched roof, the gable end glazing has been designed to perfectly match the profiles of the SUNFLEX SF75 bifold doors, whilst the inclusion of a single access door allows the extension to angle away to create a larger kitchen/dining area.

This building was once home to the Henderson Garage door production facility, with the client in the process of renovating the entire premises to be split into several new warehousing and office units. To be able to secure new tenants, however, there was an urgency to stop a mass amount of water ingress into the building, due to the roof's years of neglect.Systems in useHyranger®Starcoat® RChallengesThe state of the existing waterproofing was poor, meaning it needed to be stripped back to the metal deck below. Given the years of water ingress it was clear some areas of the substrate were deteriorating and would need replacing.There was also an issue with the adjacent metal cladding to the perimeter of the roof space, one of which was coated in an asbestos paint and the potential for asbestos rope within the old rooflights. All of this needed addressing prior to the roofing works commencing.SolutionsAxter were called to initially survey the roof area, highlighting the main areas of concern and interface issues. Following a roof condition survey report, proposals were put forward as to how best to detail waterproof these areas and achieve the brief set out by the client.To the metal cladding, Starcoat R cold applied liquid bitumen PU resin was used to create a waterproofed upstand without the need for the complete removal of the cladding. Upon discussions with the building owner, it was also discovered that the existing rooflights were no longer needed, so these were boarded over and waterproofed in line with the rest of the main field area.The Hyranger system, comprising polyester reinforced SBS polymer modified bitumen membranes, was ideal for the job due to its guarantee strength, stability, performance and cost efficiency.The completed roof gained a 20 year guarantee and extended the life of the building.

Alumasc Rooflights provided an ideal solution to allowing natural daylight into the building from above. The unique kerb design incorporates both security and waterproofing to create a reliable, safe and secure rooflight, allowing horizontal termination of the waterproof membrane. This makes water penetration virtually impossible. The domed glazing is moulded from Marlon FSX Longlife, premium quality solid polycarbonate, which has an impact resistance up to 200 times that of glass.Technically sophisticated, Harmer AV high-performance aluminium roof outlets are chosen for this project as they guarantee a trouble-free performance and are especially suited to flat roofing applications featuring continuous membranes.Harmer AV roof outlets combine innovative product design with full industry compliance to meet the needs of rainwater drainage in any construction project, with the ability to drain up to 40% more roof area than conventional gravity outlets. Further to this, their lightweight, durable, non-corrodible design means that they will do so for up to 40 years.GX Pressed Aluminium Gutters are robust box section gutters designed for traditional wet jointing on site. They’re especially suited to applications where maximum capacity gutters are required. For the very large drainage area of the campus roof, they were perfect.Designed to fully accommodate thermal movement at every joint, they are lightweight, durable and noncorrodible, and, upholding the environmental prerequisites of this project, they are 100% recyclable.Finally, Heritage Circular Pipes are available in 4 pipe diameters and 3 pipe lengths, together with a complete range of fittings. Can be factory finished to replicate cast iron or with BBA certificated powder coatings in a range of colours.

Our case study video featuring our customer, Interior Writer and Stylist Reena. The case showcases a single storey Bungalow, transformed into a contemporary, Scandinavian inspired family home, with the use of Vario by VELUX Rooflights. Reena, like us, is passionate about Daylight and Fresh Air and whilst this is evident throughout her home, the Danish concept of Hygge was also a huge inspiration for her renovation. Hygge = Referring to comfort, pleasure and warmth within simple soothing things such as a cosy atmosphere. We think Reena has managed to achieve exactly that, with the use of Natural Light reflecting and shifting against beautiful raw materials inside her home. 

Warwick Manufacturing Group were awarded £10 million to build the WMG Degree apprenticeship centre at the University of Warwick, which opened in 2019.The 3 storey, 2,400m2 apprenticeship centre sits at the heart of the campus and provides a bridge from education to industry.Brett Martin supplied a striking Glass Link rooflight overlooking the central corridor of the extensive open plan break out area. This consisted of one long run of 12 fixed modules glazed with 2 glass panes per module of grey anti-sun glass. Glass Link was selected due to the self-supporting span capabilities of the product as it needed to span 3800mm.The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre provides apprentices with the opportunity to study on degree programmes to develop the skills needed by advanced engineering and manufacturing companies in conjunction with employment at companies throughout Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

We've met Nick & Vicky Architects at Holloway & Holloway, when they’d just finished their rear and side extension. As their family is now bigger, they decided to create a brand new loft extension.You’ve just finished remodelling your home. Congratulations! Tell us what was the timeline from buying the house to now?Well, it’s been quite the journey! We bought the house over 4 years ago now. We always bought it as a project, so we knew that it was going to be something that would take a number of years to complete.The house needed a lot of work from day 1. In fact, I have a photo, taken at 9 am the morning after we moved in with my wife sledgehammer in hand, knocking a wall down. I quit work shortly after we moved in and I spent the next few months working on the house, mostly getting the first floor fit for us to live in, but also fixing the kitchen and other areas.We basically took the first floor back to brick work and joists. We fitted new plumbing and electrics, installed a new bathroom, new floors and so on. I managed to get a new kitchen from free-cycle which so we could replace our one, which wasn’t really in a working state.Once that was done, we had a home that we could live in and work from and that was around the time that we started our practice, Holloway and Holloway.As we got busier with work, we started to get a bit more hands off with the actual building work and allow people who were more qualified than I was to start helping us out, and we focused more on the design work.The next stage was the side and rear extension which we did a couple of years later, finishing in early 2021. The idea being that we would have a nice entertaining space for us to spend time in with friends and family before we had children! A couple of weeks after we finished, Covid hit, and that dream didn’t become a reality. It was amazing to have a really lovely space for us to spend lockdown in though.The loft conversion was timed with us wanting to start a family. When Vicky fell pregnant, we started more serious arrangements to start this final stage of the works. It was finished (or mostly finished at least) the same week that our son was born, so we did manage to come home to a quiet house at least.Why did you choose to do the renovation in staged phases?It was mostly to do with money really. There were certain elements that we needed to do straight away to live comfortably in the property, but after we were settled, it was a question of saving up to be able to do the works. As we weren’t in need of extra bedrooms at the time, it seemed that we would get more immediate benefit out of the works to the ground floor so that is why we started there.Even if there wasn’t a need to save up we would likely have tried to do the work in phases so that we could stay in the house during the works. Moving out adds even more to the cost of the works, and as it was just us two in the house at the time, it was easy enough for us to adapt to moving around the house and living through the noise and dust of building works. It would have been a very different story with little ones to take care of as well.Why did you choose to add a loft extension to your home? And what are the most important things to keep in mind when designing a loft extension?For us we needed to build the loft extension to move our office space to the top of the house so that we had somewhere quiet to work. But regardless of our working situation, it is a great thing to do to maximise the space in your home.Converting a loft space or adding a dormer extension, is generally the most cost-effective way to add space to your home, especially in tight urban settings. For us, we were able to add two bedrooms and a bathroom to our home, which is vital for our growing family to expand into. By doing this work, it extends the life of our home for us, now we have a great sized family home, where otherwise we would likely have had to move in the future to get extra space as our family grows.We’ve designed and built lots of loft extensions as architects, so it was really interesting for us to try and take out what we thought were the most important lessons from the experiences we have had and put them all into our own project.Firstly, it is worth noting that our council will override planning policy in some circumstances, in favour of good design, so by using high quality materials, in our case the dark metal cladding, we were able to get permission for a larger extension than would have been allowable otherwise. So, though the cladding material was more expensive, we gained more space, and hence more saleable floor area.The next was insulation, this was a gamble for us as we know the theory about its benefits, but when you are having to balance costs on your building project it seems an easy place to cut back on and save money.Building regulations require a certain level of insulation, but you can go far beyond this, and more insulation means that your home will take on less heat in summer, keeping it cooler, and will let out less heat in winter, keeping it warmer. We decided to go well above the basic requirements, and we have found that just as the theory states, our loft is a much more comfortable space throughout the year than our neighbours, which we know gets uncomfortably hot in summer, to the extent that they struggle to work in the loft in mid-summer.The last lesson would be good ventilation. Though the additional insulation helps keep temperatures steady, when temperatures soar in the UK, it can still get very hot in your loft. This is compounded by the fact that all the warm air in your home will rise up to the top of the house. Adding an openable rooflight over the stairs is an incredible tool for thermally controlling your entire home. Opening it acts as a chimney letting all of the hot air out of the roof and pulling new fresh cooler air in at low level, creating a really nice through breeze in the home. The added benefit is that you also get loads of natural light over the stairs, which trickles down all the way to the ground floor.You’ve chosen to introduce both Vario by VELUX bespoke rooflights, regular VELUX windows, and VELUX curved glass rooflights. Why?There is method to the madness. Over the stairs, we wanted to have a rooflight that was sized to evenly fit the shape of the room, with an even offset from all the walls, so for that we needed the bespoke sizing of a Vario by VELUX flat rooflight.For the bedroom, we wanted to have some light come in from above, and although it would have been visually amazing to have a large rooflight here, we felt the VELUX Curved Glass roof window was more appropriate, as it had integrated blinds that would easily make the window blackout at the touch of a button, which Vario be VELUX will start offering as of December 2021.The VELUX windows are necessary to get light in from the front façade of the property via the pitched roof. These were the only way we could get light into the bathroom, and for our office, it enables the room to be dual aspect, which gives constant direct daylight and also fantastic through ventilation.We love the new studio roof window that VELUX has launched recently, but I just love the way the top hung light open, I think it looks so impressive. Also, as I’m fairly tall, the Top hung windows are great as I can walk underneath them when they are open easily. What impact do the rooflights and roof windows have on your everyday life at home and especially in relation to the thing you do at home?To be honest, we worked from home pre-pandemic, and so we spent a lot of time in our home even before the lockdowns came along and working practices began to change. We are firm believers that you need to make your home work for you rather than be set up for others and that really came to the forefront over the pandemic to a lot of our client’s minds, as they were suddenly not hosting people as much or at all and they had less spaces in the wider world they were able to visit. So, they started to think more about how their home could meet all of their needs.In practice, this could be as simple as putting a sofa bed into the spare room instead of a fixed bed that limits the space and is only used infrequently. This then allows you to turn the rest of the space into an arts and crafts room, or a cinema room for family movie nights. It's about trying to get the most use out of the space that you have.As far as the rooflights go, I’ve already mentioned the practical benefits of ventilation and natural light, but in many ways, I suppose the biggest impact they have is how they change spaces from what could be quite standard spaces into light, bright, modern spaces, they make you feel like you’re living in some sort of architectural magazine, and it is a lovely feeling that doesn’t really dampen over time.  

A complete roof refurbishment, including thermal upgrade and full waterproofing of a church centre.Systems in useEcoflex®The project included various roof areas with different systems in situ, all requiring thermal upgrade, and increased falls to remove standing water from the roof. There were also rooflights and roof lanterns that needed to either be replaced or removed and boarded over, a live gas pipe which required lifting to accommodate the new roofing system, and various redundant SVP’s and chimneys.ChallengesThree separate roof areas required upgrading as the existing waterproofing was failing and reaching the end of its service life. Water ingress was occurring, causing damage to the internals of the building.Axter carried out in depth surveys and took various core samples to determine the existing build ups of each roof area. It was identified that remedial works were needed to stop water ingress, thermally upgrade the roof, remove standing water, and remove certain rooflights. Two out of the three areas had redundant and dated rooflights / roof lanterns. There was also an active gas pipe laid across the main roof area which had to be taken into consideration when specifying works.SolutionsThe 3 existing roof build ups included Asphalt with RBM cap sheet and stone chippings, Asphalt with RBM cap sheet and solar reflective paint and finally an EPDM system. Our core samples revealed that the areas with existing asphalt were in good condition. Therefore, Axter advised to only remove the solar reflective paint and the stone chippings to avoid the asphalt from going into landfill and to keep costs down. We used a mixture of torch applied and self-adhered AVCL’s, dependant on the deck type and to comply with SAFE2TORCH areas. Axter’s Ecoflex® ADH single ply membrane was the system of choice as this kept the use of naked flames to a minimum as the building remained in use throughout the refurbishment programme. The system provided a 20 Year Guarantee covering design, materials and workmanship and achieves Broof(T4) fire certification.A live gas pipe was running across the main roof area. It was decided with the client that this would be replaced and raised to accommodate the new roofing system.As this was a live site, the safety of the client and their visitors was a risk that needed to be considered. Risk and method statements were developed and written with the client’s ongoing activities in mind. The contract was carried out without the occurrence of any accidents or incidents.AcknowledgmentsWe were delighted to have Axter and the Nautilus work on our roofing project and again were delighted with the outcomes. From initial consultations with both Nautilus and Axter we found them to be highly knowledgeable and professional in providing solutions and specifications. Axter’s attention to detail manifested through their survey work and their recommendations provided us with a great deal of assurance in the project, along with ongoing technical assistance from the Axter team to provide reassurance at different junctions in the project. Nautilus were extremely professional in their approach and a pleasure to have on site. Their high regard for health and safety and CDM on site was also evident and ensured a safe environment for all stakeholders. The project was completed by Nautilus in a timely manner and certified by Axter, giving us high confidence in the completed works. A real pleasure to work with on all sides.Andy Lee , Vine Christian Centre

The TaskOriginally a garage for a local car showroom in the town centre, The Forum has most recently been a storage facility until the College began redevelopment of its kitchens in a 12th Century Grade 1 listed building. This provided improved and expanded catering facilities. During the works, the College still needed kitchen and dining facilities, prompting the re-purposing of The Forum.Northmores Project Management Consultants were contracted by the College to manage the project, designed by Paul Vonberg Architects, to future-proof the building.The Outcome“It was a very tricky project. Logistically, being right in central Cambridge, and during COVID, we had to ensure we were rigorous in our safe practice. Fortunately, the new internal design of the Forum meant it was easy to operate a one-way system for any internal workings making good the linings where the rooflights had been and redecorating. From a reroofing perspective too it was complex. The team at Langley devised a practical solution and were always on hand to support us with technical advice if needed.”

Salisbury Walk is part of the Girdlestone Estate in London, and the last phase to be upgraded by landlord the London Borough of Islington as part of their commitment to delivering decent homes standards.The TaskWorking to our detailed specification, Opus stripped the existing profiled metal roof and built up our TA-30 Flat Roofing System, installing insulation to achieve 0.18W/m2K as advised by current Building Regulations. Ventilation and rooflight hatches were also upgraded and new upstands fitted.The Outcome“Having achieved such a positive result in the refurbishment elsewhere on the estate by utilising the services of Langley and Opus, it gave peace of mind for all stakeholders to re-apply that formula in other works. It brings us a valued perspective, enabling us to make informed decisions going forward about the condition of the estate, knowing we have consistency in approach, design, materials and application. We also have the peace of mind, going forward, that the roofs are all upgraded to a high standard and are assured for decades to come.”Theo Petrou, Mears Group Project Manager

CABI, the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International, have moved into their brand new bespoke global headquarters for the organisation in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Sitting in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this unique office development by architects, Scott Brownrigg, has been built with a low impact design and a strong emphasis on low carbon. The complete development incorporates energy-saving measures above current Building Regulations standards.  Whilst the outside of the building has been designed to be unobtrusive, allowing it to blend into its environment, internally the design has certainly been given the wow factor.  Rooflights allow natural light into the building, which continues to flow throughout by clever use of Lusso Atria glazing and Lusso 25 single frameless glazing. The glazed atrium has been installed with stunning affect and glazed partitions provide a 2,500sqm of workspace which incorporates a café restaurant, meeting rooms, and conference room/auditorium. This state-of-the-art headquarters is certainly fitting for an international organisation which will be visited by both guests and staff from around the world.     

Architect/Designer: BenedettiLocation: London Project OverviewFront of house refurbishment including developing bespoke signage and hardware to meet the client and architect’s requirements. ServiceFull hardware scheduling service. Bespoke signage & ironmongery. Project Details 3v worked alongside Benedetti architects to provide a full interior hardware package for the beautiful refurbishment of the British Academy of Film & Television Arts headquarters at 195 Piccadilly. This project included development of bespoke signage panels and hardware designed to complement the overall design aesthetic for the refurbishment of this Grade II listed building.The Expansion includes new top floor by raising & restoring two large Victorian rooflight structures & decorative plasterwork considered ‘lost’ for 40 years, from the original 1883 Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Gallery, built in ‘opposition’ to the Royal Academy across the road.Facilities include: doubled capacity, two cinema theatres, banqueting hall, multipurpose event and exhibition spaces, members’ bars/restaurant/club, roof terraces, judging/meeting rooms and offices.

Parallel opening window vents by Kawneer were specified for a mental health project that is arguably without parallel. Some 88 AA®100 SSG parallel opening vents were used as concealed windows, to maintain the same aesthetic as the façade, within AA®100 mullion-drained curtain walling and AA®720 doors on the new £40 million London headquarters of the world-famous Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.The Kawneer systems at the Anna Freud Centre were specified by architects Penoyre & Prasad as they were a “cost-effective” solution to their needs and enabled them to use the same systems for all areas of curtain walling and rooflights. The project has enabled the relocation of the mental healthcare charity to bring together its global expertise in practice, research and policy under one roof from its residential properties in Hampstead to a purpose-built facility near King’s Cross. This comprises a six-storey new-build and the refurbishment of a century-old former chocolate factory and warehouse.

Basildon & Thurrock University HospitalBauder Total Roof System (BTRS) and LiquiTEC cold applied waterproofing systemSynopsisBasildon and Thurrock University Hospital’s existing roof was failing in multiple areas, and 80 rooflights needed replacing. The client wanted the refurbishment to make as little impact as possible on the departments directly below which included drug refrigeration, x-ray and ultrasound clinics, patient wards and operating theatres.Bauder Building BoardProject:Basildon & Thurrock University HospitalLocation:EssexProject Type:RefurbishmentRoof Area:900m²Specifier:NHSApproved Contractor:Breyer ConstructionProject challengesThe plant on the rooftop could not be turned off or raised and many of the AC units and boilers had to be left running due to the nature of the rooms below. Certain areas had to be repaired before others and detailing under and around the plant that could not be raised was almost an impossible task. When working around the plant, COSHH regulations had to be considered and adhered to.The result Coordinating with both the client and approved contractors was key in this project, and by using cold liquid applied waterproofing the contractors could ensure a watertight seal with quick application, allowing them to complete the remainder of the roof using reinforced bitumen membrane, and meet the tight project deadline of 12 weeks.System installedBauder Total Roof System (BTRS)Suitable for a variety of applications on both new build and refurbishment projects and can be used in warm, cold and inverted roof scenarios.1 Bauder K5KA top quality, heavy duty, torch-applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet. The product features a spunbond polyester reinforcement to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture, and a mineral finish to provide protection against UV degradation.2 BauderTEC KSA DUO 35A 3mm thick technically advanced self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen underlayer with DUO lap technology and glass lattice reinforcement.3 BauderPIR FA G16 Tapered (laid to falls)Tapered insulation is a lightweight, convenient, easy to install and cost-effective alternative method of providing falls to a roof instead of incorporating them into the structure.4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA technically advanced, self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finished upper surface to allow easy bonding of insulation using the specified Bauder insulation adhesive.LiquiTEC Roof SystemThe Bauder LiquiTEC roof systems combine ease of application, fast cure and durability to provide a cold applied liquid waterproofing product second to none.1 LiquiDEK with reinforcement layerA cold applied liquid fast curing waterproofing resin, for use on the main roof area of the LiquiTEC Roof System. It is applied in 2 coats ‘wet-on-wet’, with a layer of Bauder 110g reinforcement fleece between them. The product is a PMMA based resin and requires the addition of catalyst to trigger curing. It is solvent, isocyanate and halogen free, minimizing its environmental impact.2 BauderTEC KSD DUOCarrier membrane & Vapour Barrier is a technically advanced self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen vapour barrier with patented “DUO” lap technology. The product features an aluminium foil facing for vapour impermeability.AdvocacyBreyer Roofing’s Contracts Manager for the project, Kerry Cutts:“The main challenge was working around the hospital’s requirements. For example, we provided a weekly plan for the areas we were working in and the rooflights / plant affected. Where possible, we worked out of hours while doing rooflight replacements to minimise any issues. We also worked closely with Bauder to vary the specification when we had to work around live plant. The communication between Bauder and Breyer Roofing was exemplary throughout and I was pleased this completed project was nominated for a national award."

Cranbrook Primary SchoolBauder Total Roof System (BTRS) with Tapered insulation schemeSynopsisCranbrook Primary School in Ilford, London, was experiencing some major water ingress due to the advanced deterioration of the existing roof system. A roof survey was conducted by Stuart Parratt, Bauder area technical manager, where core test samples were taken to identify the existing roof construction to deck level and to provide an indication of the roof condition. The survey revealed that the existing waterproofing was in extremely poor condition, with extensive evidence of water ingress.  Bauder Building BoardProject:Cranbrook Primary School Location:LondonProject Type:RefurbishmentRoof Area:440m² Client:London Borough of Redbridge Council Approved Contractor:Thameside Roofing Ltd The specificationThe original waterproofing had been poorly overlaid with EPDM which had subsequently debonded. Before the installers could begin laying the new system, they had to strip the substrate back to the original asphalt. The client required a robust system that would deliver durability, value and longevity. 390m² of bitumen waterproofing, Bauder Total Roof System (BTRS), was specified for the main roof areas and 50m² of our cold applied liquid waterproofing, LiquiTEC, for an area that had limited upstands due to clerestory windows that could not be repositioned. Products appliedBauderPIR tapered insulation  A lightweight and cost effective alternative method of providing falls to a roof, whilst also providing thermal insulation. The client opted for this scheme at Cranbrook to minimise standing water on the roof. Bauder Total Roof SystemA two-layer bituminous waterproofing system robust enough to withstand foot traffic and most permanently sited plant. For use within warm and cold roof scenarios, as well as overlaying existing roofing materials. BTRS meets current UK Building Regulations Part B for external fire protection and features torch-free and safe to torch installation on combustible details. LiquiTEC Cold Applied liquid waterproofing Utilising Bauder’s PMMA cold applied liquid waterproofing on one of the roof areas ensured a fully watertight solution around rooflights and below upstands that could not be raised.  Project challengesAlthough the deck appeared to be in a reasonable condition for reuse as part of the refurbishment, there were large deflections to some areas and the existing waterproofing that overlaid the original system had been poorly installed and had pulled away from the asphalt below and so needed stripping prior to works commencing. The existing insulation was inadequate and left the building falling short of the current requirements. A thermal upgrade was incorporated into the works using a tapered insulation scheme which helped to solve the deflection issues by creating falls on the roof. To meet the minimum upstand requirements, the existing extractor vents needed to be removed to allow for the increase in the kerb height. Large continuous structural rooflights providing natural light to the building below were deemed thermally inefficient. The rooflights were upgraded during the refurbishment to meet current standards.  The resultBauder systems are only installed by Bauder approved contractors to ensure quality. The installation on this project was expertly carried out by Thameside Roofing Ltd, overseen by Dave Gregory and John White. After sign-off from Bauder site technician, Paul Osbourne, this system was awarded a comprehensive guarantee.  Systems installedBauder Total Roof System (BTRS) with Tapered insulation1 Bauder K5KHeavy duty, torch-applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet featuring a spunbond polyester reinforcement to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture, and a mineral finish to provide protection against UV degradation.2 BauderTEC KSA DUO Technically advanced self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen underlayer with “DUO” lap technology to ensure thorough sealing of lap joints, even in lower temperatures. 3 BauderPIR FA G16Tapered PIR Insulation board manufactured in accordance with BS EN 13165 with no facings. It is lightweight with a high compressive strength and has zero Ozone depletion potential. The product provided effective drainage as well as efficient thermal insulation.4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA technically advanced, self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finish on the upper surface to allow easy bonding of insulation using the specified Bauder Insulation Adhesive.

One of the largest logistics units to have been built in Ireland within recent years, the Smyth Toys warehouse in Dundalk is a milestone in the company's story of growth and expansion. A family-run business started in County Mayo, Smyth Toys is a fast growing toy retailer with over 100 stores across the UK and Ireland.Situated within Dundalk Business Park, the site for the new warehouse was purchased for €8.9 million, and developed by TSL Projects, utilising multiple local contractors for the entire construction process.ChallengeWith 38,000m2 of roofing to clad, and 16,000m2 of cladding to install, Ireland's go-to roofing and cladding specialists Select Roofing were contracted to construct the building envelope on the mammoth warehouse.SolutionOpting to use Kingspan's KS1000RW composite panels for the roof, KS AWP panels for the walls, and DLTR rooflights; Select Roofing turned to Fixfast to use their MatchFast stainless steel A2/304 grade fasteners, moulded to the colours required to blend the fastener heads into the building, including fasteners for both light and heavy steel - where required across the various applications.Roofing and cladding completed within a speedy 11 week programme, Select Roofing achieved zero lost hours on-site, demonstrating their commitment to safety within the working environment.

The construction of Lidl's largest Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) in both Great Britain and globally has brought 125,000m2 of class B8 storage to the new 58 acre facility - located just outside London on the M1. A new distribution hub servicing more than 150 Lidl stores in London and the surrounding counties, this RDC is the first to feature automation, bringing over 1,200 jobs to the Luton and Dunstable area. ChallengeFull envelope construction provider FK Construction were contracted to construct the building envelope, cladding the building with Kingspan KS1000MR composite wall panels, fixed back to ultra heavy steel. SolutionBeing a secret fix panel, the fasteners needed to fasten through 100mm of insulated panel to fix back securely to the framing. Fixfast supplied in the region of 500,000 DF25-SSA4-HT fasteners for the construction of the external walls and internal coldstore applications, being able to self--drill through steel up to 25mm thick. Hex headed, available with washers for roof, rooflight or wall applications - and in A4/316 grade stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance: these fasteners are the solution for fixing into ultra heavy steel.(images courtesy of FK Group)"FK have forged a close working relationship with Fixfast over many years and in partnership successfully delivered a number of high-profile schemes"Alistair Bolton - Construction Procurement Director at FK Group

The Cabin is a stunning residential project in West Wales.Featuring motorised roller blinds, motorised curtain tracks and specialist tensioned rooflight blinds, this project has a little bit of everything when it comes to shading.Being as this was one of the most aesthetically pleasing projects we have ever worked on, it was vital that the shading provided functionality and style simultaneously. Umbra's' wide range of hardware options and powder coating services meant that the blinds and curtains could fit both the interior design style and the stunning scenery flawlessly.Being a modern style, it was absolutely vital that the shading solutions were smart home compatible. Every blind that Umbra fitted was controllable via a smartphone app. This meant that the home owner had complete control over the blinds directly from their phone. With the ability to set scenes, create automatic schedules, and make use of various sensors, (including light, weather and presence detectors) to gain fully autonomous control over their shading.Another unique challenge that the project posed was that of temperature control. The project had the dual challenge of large glazed windows and a costal location, (meaning the weather has the capability to go from scorching heat to vicious gales at the drop of a hat). Specialist fabrics were selected from Umbra's very own fabric range to provide optimal heat gain and loss control.All of these factors came together in perfect harmony to create one of the most visually pleasing and functionally robust projects Umbra have completed to date.