"roof light"

After a particularly contentious and protracted planning process, this semi-detached, red-bricked house, part of a group of five properties that form Regent’s Mews in affluent London NW8, finally boasts an impressive third storey extension as a result of the erection of a mansard roof.The new dormer windows to its front aspect lend this 1980’s property a delightfully modern aesthetic, whilst the provision of a green roof to the rear aspect underlines its eco-credentials. The installation of Glazing Vision’s elegant sliding-over fixed rooflight above the stairwell, together with 4 additional fixed rooflights, has maximised the light streaming into this new living space, and also provided an all-important source of ventilation.Initial proposals to convert this house from two to three floors were rejected way back in 2001 by the local Planning Department on the grounds of it being “visually intrusive, overbearing massing not part of the existing architectural language and overlooking neighbours”. These same considerations faced Robinson Leigh Architects, whose track record of successful planning application had led to their appointment in 2013 by a client keen to find a solution to the planning impasse.There were a number of challenges for the architects, as they sought to design a scheme that would prove more successful through planning. The house is situated in St John’s Wood Conservation area, where restrictions on the character and appearance of all buildings are strictly applied. Normally any roof extension in this area would not be permitted and the house, indeed the entire mews, had been identified as an “unlisted building of merit”. Consequently the planners insisted that all new work to the house “must match existing original work in terms of choice of materials, method of construction and finished appearance in order to maintain the cohesion of the mews.The variety of roof forms in the mews, however, presented an opportunity for the architects to put forward their proposal of a flat-topped mansard roof as “a modern interpretation of the surrounding architectural precedent” said Leigh. Critically, the new mansard roof would also not add height above the general roof level of the neighbouring properties in Regent’s Mews, and thus would not be visually intrusive. The design of the three new dormer windows at the front of the house did depart from that of the dormer windows on the other mews houses though – they were square in contrast to the prevalent curved headed windows. However, given that they were really only visible from within the actual mews, the planners considered this alteration in form to be acceptable. Furthermore, the recessed glazing of the dormer windows ensured that the privacy of the occupants using the living spaces would not be compromised.The choice of materials also had to conform to the surrounding properties: the dormer windows were lead-clad, and the roof was tiled in Welsh slate, which softens its appearance and reduces the “apparent bulk of the structure.Another complication for Robinson Leigh related to the impact upon the large villas of Langford Place to the rear of the property. Vehement objections from these residents, who were concerned that the roof extension would shatter the illusion that they are set in extensive grounds led the architects to revise their proposal: the pitch of the northwest slope of the mansard roof was adjusted to a 70 degree angle in order to reduce its prominence in the views from these villas, particularly from 5 Langford Place. A second flat roof, which adjoined the house was removed, and Robinson Leigh extended the mansard roof to the parapet. This then gave the client more internal space, eliminated any overlooking issues, and created a more homogenous and symmetrical design.The architects cleverly designed both the main roof level of the mansard to be landscaped with indigenous flora in order to respect the planners’ preference for ecological biodiversity in the area as well as to attenuate water run-off.In conjunction with these structural requirements imposed on Robinson Leigh’s design of the mansard roof, unlocking natural daylight in the “dark zones” in the interior of the new storey was a key priority. Mindful of the rejection of the glazed roof proposal from 2001, which the planners had deemed to be too intrusive on the neighbours and at odds with the surrounding architecture, the architects sought to reduce the amount glazed by 50%, whilst simultaneously addressing the problem of reduced levels of natural daylight resulting from the recessed dormer windows.Robinson Leigh’s solution was to propose a more sympathetic glazing arrangement to the flat-top of the mansard roof, comprising four large fixed rooflights and a sliding over fixed rooflight from Glazing Vision, that would achieve the high specification they desired. These rooflights, pointed upwards to the sky, would maximise the amount of daylight entering the extension and bouncing off the hardwood timber, which had been used extensively, as Leigh points out, to “draw together several disparate elements of the interior design, such as the sliding walls, pocket doors and floor-to-ceiling shelving and cupboards”.Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight was to inhabit the space immediately above the stairwell, which had also been lined in timber to subtly link the top floor with the ground floor and to help draw the eye upwards. Timber frames had also been used on the windows. As with the other four rooflights, Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight needed to be made to a bespoke size – the architects required it to be the exact size of the stairwell, or indeed over-sized, so that the frames were not visible from below. Precision-engineered at the Glazing Vision factory in Norfolk, the special sliding over fixed rooflight was supplied in two sections, with an overall span of 2400mm and a width of 2240mm. The minimalist internal framework, finished in pure white rather than the standard grey, ensured that there were unfettered, sky-only views from the inside, thereby enhancing the impression of space and loft. Through the clear glazing of the Glazing Vision rooflight natural daylight absolutely flooded the stairwell, permeating also down to the lower floors.Given the stringent planning controls on the appearance of the mansard roof and the concerns of the vociferous neighbours, Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight offered another invaluable benefit to Robinson Leigh. The footprint of the unit on the roof remained fixed, both open and close. This meant that there was no bulky additional furniture required, whilst the minimalist exterior framework was finished in slate grey to blend harmoniously with the Welsh slate roof tiles.No less important was the need for natural ventilation in the mansard roof extension. The architects were keen to create a venturi effect in the central core of the house and stairwell by channeling the airflow through the opening of the rooflight. The Glazing Vision rooflight, specified by Robinson Leigh to slide side-to-side rather than up and down, is electronically controlled at the touch of a button from inside the house, retracting the sliding section over the fixed section of glazing. Once the sliding section is fully retracted, there is a 50% clear opening in the rooflight, out towards the sky, thus providing superior air quality within the top floor, as well as intensifying the amount of natural daylight. An essential security feature of the Glazing Vision sliding-over fixed rooflight is that it is supplied with a manual override as standard.The design, approval and erection of the mansard roof extension took three years but Robinson Leigh have succeeded in updating a tired-looking 1980’s mews house with a new, sophisticated, modern exterior, that quietly complements the surrounding properties. The new third storey has exceeded the client’s needs for additional living space, and the clever use of rooflights has ensured the interior is light, bright and inviting.

Hydrostop AH-25 liquid roofing was chosen as a better alternative to built-up roofing for installation to a new build Surrey County Council office development. The Hydrostop AH-25 system was applied over a concrete substrate with a bituminous vapour control layer with Eurodeck liquid roofing board and cut to falls insulation.

Pinewood Studio in Cardiff may be the location where Dr Who regularly saves the Universe but there was no intergalactic crisis when the building’s 16,000m2 roof needed to be refurbished recently. Instead, Sika Liquid Plastics’ Sikalastic® 625 cold applied liquid membrane provided the ideal solution to protect the building from Wales’ famously wet climate while enabling a low key project that didn’t disrupt filming on the many Hollywood movies and acclaimed TV shows filmed there, which have included James Bond, Harry Potter and Sherlock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayB4ekA7FfM&feature=youtu.be

We met digital content creator and charity ambassador Sally, in her gorgeous detached house in the English countryside in Surrey. Sally, her husband Gav, their three sons, dog and cat live in a beautiful cottage with lots of outdoor space for football, dens and four chickens (all named Barbara). They’re an active, outdoorsy family who love embracing nature, from scuba diving to surfing Cornwall’s finest beaches.Over the years they have built two extensions to their house. In the most recent extension project, Sally chose to illuminate the end of her gorgeous country kitchen/diner with a Vario by VELUX bespoke rectangular rooflight, so we went to visit her for a cuppa and a lovely chat about her impressions and experience on the importance of daylight. Sally, what a bright and stunning space you have in here. Could you please tell us more about your extension project?"We love this house; it has plenty of space and we absolutely love the country lifestyle. We bought a house 12 years ago and that time it was much smaller. The first big extension we did was 9 years ago, but we didn't quite get what we wanted as the building restrictions at the time were very strict.The key thing for us was to bring the light in. A wall of glass made perfect sense, but as the extension has a flat roof, we also started to think about what was above. In a room like this, I think the roof should be seen as the fifth wall.”Your original plan was to put a glass lantern in the extension. What made you change your mind and choose a flat glass rooflight instead?“Initially we thought we would put a glass lantern in like everybody else and it didn’t even occur to me that I could have anything else until I was invited to a rooflight launch event by Vario by VELUX. At the event, I completely fell in love with the idea of having a rooflight in my house. I got all the information and, after I realised that even a modern flat rooflight comes with an upstand and you also get the height of the roof built in, which would also give the room the height we wanted, and that the cost would be less than having a lantern of the same size and with no breaks in the glass, choosing a flat glass rooflight was a no-brainer! What do you love most about owning a bespoke rooflight?“It’s so cool and yet functional. Rooflights brings so much more light in than you would get from a normal side window and the fact is that daylight does make you feel better, especially in winter. On top of that, the customer service was excellent, there is always a backup call from Vario by VELUX to make sure you are ordering the right window, they hold your hand through the whole thing and the whole process of designing and ordering was made fun and easy. They helped me with things like setting the window at a slight angle, so the rain just runs off and we don’t end up with a swimming pool situation on the roof! It’s a really hands on, personal service from a small team, but backed by a big name like VELUX so you know you can really trust them. It’s like the gold standard of roof windows.”How did you perceive the installation process of the rooflight?“The process was really simple, easy and quick. Our constructor was provided with all the information they needed to know, in order to put the rooflight in. Our bespoke rooflight was delivered in 6 weeks and we rented a small crane for a day to lift it in. The crane was literally tiny, it fitted through our side gate. Then it was simply a matter of dropping it into the opening and letting the builders do their thing to seal it in. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous on the installation day as the dog insisted on sitting under the opening and it was very windy, but it all went very well. That moment when the hardboard comes off and you get your first glimpse of the sky above, it’s just magic.”Do you think changing your house has improved your everyday life?“Extending the house, and how we use it, has changed the way we live, the way we work and the way we relax. Having an extension, an extra room, the flow and the light we wanted has definitely increased the value of the house but also the saleability of the house. How many older properties have flat roof extensions and haven’t put in a rooflight? There must be loads and they’re definitely missing a trick. We wanted to build personality and I believe that with the extension and bespoke rooflight we got exactly what we wanted. With more daylight and space, I feel more active, I feel more awake, I feel fresher, I get things done. It has definitely changed the way we live.”

This new build project in the centre of Cambridge combines a Sustainable urban Drainage Solution (SuDS) with vegetation and renewable energy in a warm roof construction.The client for the Department of Civil Engineering at Cambridge University, R H Partnership, identified sustainability as being a key driver in the design of the roof, but also sought a single source supplier that could provide a guarantee for both workmanship and products. Bauder’s systems range encompasses products to meet all the sustainability objectives, and with our network of approved contractors carrying out the installation, we could offer the comprehensive guarantee that was required.Bauder Building BoardProject:Cambridge University Department of Engineering​Location:CambridgeRoof Area:1610m²Client:University of CambridgeSpecifier:RH Partnership ArchitectsMain Contractor:SDC LimitedApproved Contractor:Voland LimitedThe specificationTo meet the sustainability criteria set out by the client, the Bauder technical team designed a roof system combining an extensive blue roof, a green roof and a solar PV array. The first and most fundamental element of the roof system though is the waterproofing. Bauder Total Green Roof System (BTGRS) was selected as it provides robust and durable waterproofing with a life span in excess of 35 years, as validated by BBA Certificate 10/4744. The Plant E cap sheet has also been tested by the FLL to ensure long term root-resistance, making it ideal for use in conjunction with the BauderSOLAR G LIGHT system. The BauderSOLAR G LIGHT system is a unique way to combine rooftop vegetation with renewable solar energy. The PV panel mounting boards are held in position using the growing medium as ballast, meaning the waterproofing is not penetrated and therefore compromised. The mounting boards incorporate a water retention feature which allows a small amount of excess rainwater to be stored for short periods of time for the various plant species to feed from. The BauderSOLAR G LIGHT system’s unique mounting system lifts the panels above the vegetation allowing the plant life to grow freely and therefore qualify a greater area of the roof as biodiverse.In addition to the BauderSOLAR G LIGHT system, a blue roof was added to the build-up. Blue roofs are sustainable drainage solutions designed to manage stormwater on a flat roof to reduce water runoff rates and ease flash flooding and standing water in built up areas. The BauderBLUE Roof System attenuates water from a flat roof over a 24-hour period via a restrictive flow outlet. Calculations are carried out to determine the rate at which the water should egress the rooftop. This is determined by the local planning authority and is often set as low as 5-8 litres per second per hectare. With these calculations, Bauder can design each flow restrictorto meet the necessary runoff rate. For the Department of Civil Engineering, the main roof area of 1455.5m² required two flow restrictors, each with flow control holes to ensure the specified discharge rate of 0.77 litres per second was achieved. The maximum depth of water the roof is designed for is the H-max. When the water level reaches H-max, it will drain via the emergency overflow pipe. These overflow pipes are set at the same height as the H-max level. On this project the H-max was calculated to be 99mm. Although an unlikely scenario, this provision for a ‘once-in-a-hundred-years’ storm event will ensure that the structural integrity of the building is always preserved.Project challengesThe roof deck was constructed using a pretensioned concrete plank roof structure. Due to the large span of these planks, the dead load weight to the roof would be restricted. This being a blue roof with green landscaping and PV (a reasonably heavy build up), presented the issue of balancing the need of the roof design and the weight restriction of the supporting structure. To add to this challenging scenario, the pretensioned deck did not provide a completely flat finish. When installing a blue roof, a flat deck with no positive or negative falls is essential, as detailed in the 2018 update of BS 6229 – Flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof coverings. To overcome this onsite challenge,the final deflection of the fully loaded roof was calculated and the concrete deck was screeded to give a flat finish.The resultBauder believes this project to be one of the first of its type in the UK to bring together so many rooftop systems in one space. Project management and clear communication was paramount in order to ensure a smooth installation. The Bauder project team consisted of green roof and solar PV product managers, area technical manager, technical design team, site technicians and approved installers for the waterproofing.With all the different elements being installed, green roof and solar PV product managers worked with our technical team to design the best possible PV array configuration for optimum energy generation whilst also qualifying for the maximum biodiverse area.Bauder site technicians worked closely with Bauder approved contractors, Voland Asphalte Ltd, to ensure works were kept to schedule and that a high quality of workmanship was maintained throughout.To ensure the landscaping is maintained, irrigation was installed by Access Irrigation Ltd. The system, Permadrip Pro, is a drip line irrigation system with anti-syphon design to resist clogging and pressure regulation. Due to the specialist nature of the irrigation system, Access Irrigation Ltd provided a bespoke design service.The result of this network of expertise was a multi-faceted support service for the client, specifier, main contractor and roofing and PV installers. System installed1 BauderPLANT E 42Green, 5mm torch-on root-resistant capping sheet.2 BauderTEC KSA DUOA self-adhesive, elastomeric, bitumen underlayer. This underlayer was used to ensure thorough sealing of lap joints in low temperatures when the roof was installed.3 BauderPIR FA-TETissue-faced flatboard insulation faced on both sides with aluminium foil to provide efficient thermal output.4 Bauder Super AL-ETorch-on air & vapour control layer. Once installed on the concrete pretensioned plank deck, it can act as a temporary waterproofing layer, allowing internal works to be carried out immediately which was a huge advantage on this new build project.

Glazing Vision rooflights were used in the re-construction of this mews house situated in the prime real estate and conservation area of Mayfair, London. The building is an exceptional example of stunning architecture and elegant, contemporary interiors. Whilst adding a majestic character to the mews itself with its dark brick façade and impactful balcony, the outer appearance belies the vast size of the residence internally. After the demolition of the former mews house and after 2 years of construction, which had even necessitated underpinning the neighbouring houses, this property now accommodates a basement with indoor pool, lower ground floor with cinema room, open plan living and dining space, 2 floors of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as additional terraced balconies.Keeping the interiors bright and airy throughout was key to the design concept – floor to ceiling windows and Flushglaze Walk On Rooflights from Glazing Vision were installed to maximise the daylight where it would have been otherwise compromised on the ground and second floors. In addition, a Glazing Vision 3 Wall Box Rooflight provides unimpeded access from an internal staircase to the impressive roof terrace, which is recessed down 1 1/2metres between 2 pitched roofs and which offers a vast outdoor space for entertaining, dining and relaxing.Two Flushglaze Walk On rooflights were specified by the architect to negate the risk of potential dark spots appearing in the dining zone and living area on the ground floor. Engineered by Glazing Vision to bespoke sizes and to meet the future projected foot traffic upon them, they were seamlessly integrated into the balconied terrace on the second floor, thus shedding light through to the bench seating in the kitchen and lounge.Their minimal internal framework was in keeping with the contemporary aesthetic of the interior, and both rooflights augment the quality and quantity of light entering this open plan area, even extending out towards the central stairwell and landing.Two further custom-sized Flushglaze Walk On Rooflights installed on the roof terrace add an intricate design detail but also create a wow factor. Perfect for flat roof terraces, these rooflights lie flush with the wooden decking. Again tested to allow for regular foot traffic and to bear the weight of terrace furniture, the rooflights offer complete safety and watertight integrity. On the second floor below, the two windowless bathrooms are flooded with the light coming through these rooflights – indeed such is the brightness of these rooms that privacy blinds have been installed for occasional use.Seeking to optimise the very large roof space that had been created (4m x 8m) the architect specified Glazing Vision’s 3 Wall Box Rooflight, which would offer easy access all year round to the roof terrace and also provide a contemporary glass feature. For the accommodation of the 3 wall mounted box rooflight a timber box frame had to be built which abutted the exposed brick wall behind.The property’s imposing central staircase provides access to the box rooflight, which in turn maximises the light falling down the stairwell to the bottom of the house. At a touch of a button from an access keypad, the sliding roof retracts to give a 50% clear opening with no “bowing of the head” necessary. The operation is quiet and safe, and the provision of a rain sensor ensures closure from inclement weather.

Using materials, shades and textures that work in harmony with rural surroundings is always an important consideration for designers and planners. In Hertfordshire an ancient barn has recently been converted to provide additional accommodation for the nearby house.The new roof of the C16th barn was constructed with Cadisch Welltec perforated profiled aluminium panels over a waterproof membrane. Visible roof lights on such an ancient barn were not permitted but some light is able to penetrate through unobtrusive roof lights which are entirely covered by the perforated Welltec. The outline of the windows can just be made out in the photograph.The corrugated effect of the Welltec already lent a rustic charm to the roof and the owners needed a coating for the aluminium that would both protect the roof and also give the appearance of an old building.Taking inspiration from natural elements, EvolutionTM powder coatings allow architects and designers to achieve the look they need, together with using the most appropriate materials for the job and satisfying planning requirements on a local level.  The panels and ridge cappings totalling over 200 square metres, were pre-treated in a chrome-free system and powder coated in EvolutionTM ‘Peat fire’ at Powdertech’s Corby plant, before being delivered to site for installation. Peat fire is an earthy shade, instantly giving an aged look to the roof. It is a shade that one might expect on a weathered ‘tin roof’ – but in this case the metal stands the Evolution™ system.”  BenefitsA wide range of effects to reflect the patinas that occur naturally on metalsExcellent visual and tactile detailHigh performance weather resistanceGood edge coverageAll powders are Qualicoat 1Leaves no residue or stainTwenty-five year guarantee.

Glazing Vision has helped enhance daylight ina cleverly constructed London home using ourPitchglaze Roof Windows.New build projects in built up areas such as Londoncan be challenging, however Clapton Roadis an example of excellent precision and wonderfullyexecuted construction. Gauld Architecturehave created the perfect modern home usinginsightful architectural detail and two GlazingVision Roof Windows. The drawings called formodern architecture at every corner, from zinccladding to wooden interiors.A single storey doctor’s surgery had previouslybeen converted to a residential building, butunfortunately the home had very little floor area.The property overlooked a private garden behindand suffered from damp as well as a lack ofprivacy from passers-by, and so an upgradewas overdue. Previous planning applications toextend had been refused, and so an alternativeorganisational approach was needed to improveresidential amenity.The proposed works consisted of splitting theaccommodation over three levels, with thebedroom and bathroom a half level belowground, and the kitchen and entrance at streetlevel with the living space a half level above toenable views out over the heads of pedestrians.The split helps to reduce the massing and theasymmetric roof is shaped to minimise impacton the natural light to the neighbour’s windowsand garden behind.Construction commenced on the property, andquickly it was confirmed the boundary brick wallcould be salvaged from the previous structuregiving a familiar and robust public facing edgeand provides a desired sleek finish to the wall.The home also boasts crisp zinc roofing and wallcladding detailing, providing a smooth transitionfrom the exposed bricks to the first storey.The Pitchglaze Roof Windows allowed GauldArchitecture to achieve a seamless junction withthe folded zinc, with the glazing set on the sameplane to give the roof a pleasing continuity.Internally, the glazing is sized so the externalviews are framed only by the lined reveals,with the roof window largely hidden giving asleek finish. The Pitchglaze roof windows wereinstalled by the contractor, an easy installationprocess is guaranteed by following our installvideo or consulting our installation guide. Muchnatural light is captured via the roof windows,positioned strategically to ensure good andeven distribution throughout, while set flushwith the zinc to achieve a surface tension andpleasing solidity to the roof planes. These highqualityelements and considered massing resultin a greatly improved contribution to the street scene.“Glazing Vision helped give guidance on the interface between the roof window and a buildup thatwe were unfamiliar with. Our local Technical Specification Manager was very knowledgeable onintegrating the roof windows into the roof.” – Kevin Gauld, Director, Gauld ArchitectureThe minimalist interior coupled with striking exterior design meet perfectly to ensure a modernand desired look. The Pitchglaze Roof Windows solved a lasting problem with the home and wereresponsible for providing the client with the sought after amount of natural daylight.If you are working on a project which requires rooflights or roof windows get in contact with us on01379 658300 or fill in our contact form.

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

In densely populated urban areas of the cities, where the number of floors in housing is sometimes limited and private gardens are rare, a rooftop terrace or patio is becoming a popular design choice. However, many residential buildings with rooftop gardens don’t see much daylight and careful consideration is required to determine an access point to the roof terrace. For such rooftop projects, a new dimension of roof access is offered by the LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort range, designed to give a generous daylight intake in attic apartments alongside convenient access to the roof terrace creating an air of grace and beauty both internally and externally. The LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort range now introduces its fourth product into the family, giving more choice and flexibility when creating a luxurious living space with an exclusive ambience. Featuring unrestricted use as a natural ventilation device and convenient access to the roof terrace, the indoor climate also benefits from the high energy efficiency of the range thanks to the thermally broken frame and excellent air tightness values.The existing Solo and Duo Flat Roof Access Hatch products from LAMILUX open laterally by moving one or two panels horizontally to create direct access to step onto the roof terrace, whilst the space-saving hinged opening Swing variant swiftly opens its one meter by 3000 or 3500 mm long aperture to 84 degrees in just 25 seconds. The fourth, and newest addition to the Access Hatch Comfort repertoire the Square, makes it possible, for the first time, to also use spiral and platform staircases underneath. Until now, access to the roof was limited to straight stairways due to the elongated rectangular shape of the roof access hatch range. The Square only takes 45 seconds for the concealed hydraulic drives to silently open the 4m² glass element of the skylight by 70 degrees. As with the Swing, the new variant does not require any additional space on the roof terrace than its own size in closed form, even when open, thanks to its swing mechanism.   Visually, the aluminium border frame throughout the product family, attracts attention as an architectural highlight. The aluminum profiles and the reveal surface can be coated in all RAL colours offering further choice and exclusivity. Since the glass panes and frame feature a flush edge detail both internally and externally, and all variants are designed with an inclined surface, the range boasts not only a visually appealing seamless design, but also ensures that rainwater can run-off easily without leaving any dirty edges or water ponding. Safety is standard in the Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort product family with fall-resistant glazing which can be walked on to a limited extent for cleaning purposes. As an additional safety feature, a light barrier is installed as standard which prevents the closing of the access hatch as soon as it detects something in the entrance area. In terms of energy, the new roof access hatch continues the tradition of all LAMILUX skylights: The overall system, which is free of thermal bridges and isothermally balanced and the option of special glazing meets modern demands for sustainability, energy efficiency and climate protection which ultimately save heating costs and minimizes condensation. All four products in this family have one further thing in common: They are delivered completely pre-assembled to the construction site, lifted onto the roof by a crane provided by the customer and then installed swiftly and easily. This minimizes the risk of errors and saves valuable time – both for the contractor and for the apartment user who ultimately gains access to the roof terrace. 

With limited vertical wall space for windows, Denizen Works utilised Glazing Visions’ fixed Flushglaze rooflights to flood the living spaces with light in their recently built housing scheme, Haddo Yard.The project, on the site of a former bungalow, is located in Whitstable, Kent and takes its name from Oliver Haddo, a character in former resident Somerset Maugham’s novel, ‘The Magician’. Haddo Yard forms part of a series of projects initiated by developer Arrant Land, that seek to explore how a town with a distinct visual identity can be enhanced by adventurous but contextual contemporary design.Having been approached directly by developers Arrant Land, Denizen Works undertook an initial design review exercise resulting in an extensive overhaul of the scheme. Despite the detailed design, problems emerged, with the ground floor living spaces extending into a single story volume to the rear of the site creating deep plans and on the second floor, apartments occupied roof space so vertical walls for windows was limited.Denizen Works contacted Glazing Vision, who they had worked with previously, with the aim to utilise rooflights over these spaces which brought light in to the deepest parts of the plan and to create living spaces on the second floor which could be flooded with light, even with a lack of vertical wall space.“Glazing Vision always provide good technical support which makes specifying and detailing their products very easy”, explains Andrew Ingham, the architect working on the project.One of the most important factors for Denizen Works when they sourced the rooflights were the frameless appearance of the Glazing Vision Flushglaze rooflights. Three fixed rooflights were used, measuring 2000x1000mm, as means of providing natural daylight and helping to maintain the clean, contemporary and minimal detailing that had been employed throughout the project.The resultant scheme comprises of 6no. two bed flats and 1no. 1 bed flat spread over three floors, each enjoying dual aspect and south-facing living spaces overlooking the gardens. The ambition for Haddo Yard was to create a distinctive and contemporary expression of local identity. The finished building asserts a bold and confident presence within its context.Haddo Yard is the first completed building by Denizen Works and Arrant Land, helping to present a unique addition to Whitstable’s built environment. Andrew Ingham concludes “We’re very proud of Haddo Yard and we have heard first hand just how much the current residents enjoy the light, contemporary spaces we’ve designed.”

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.

Surespan designed and manufactured several fire-rated roof hatches for the Killeen ISD East/West Ward Elementary School, in Killeen Texas.  The Project:Huckabee is the architect behind the East/West Ward Elementary School, tasked with replacing two 60-year-old campuses, by combining them into one new holistic learning environment. The planning behind the architecture focuses on efficiency, function and ease of wayfinding. From simple to navigate corridors, modernised classrooms and glazing to illuminate the interior with natural light. East/West Ward Elementary School blends district design standards with innovative thinking to achieve spacial efficiency and maintain equitability.Product:Surespan designed and manufactured five 35.5-inch x 35.5-inch Fire Rated Roof Hatch with an integral guard hand railing attached. These hatches are thermally broken and have been designed and tested with 4-hour fire resistance for integrity to EN 1634-1:2014.  Features:These hatches are using environmentally friendly materials such as non-combustible minerals and fireboard cladding to achieve a top-performing thermal efficiency. All the hatches were finished in a light grey polyester powder-coated finish for an aesthetically pleasing solution. The coating is set to last many years, just like the durable masonry veneer that is featured in the building, helping to maintain the space for years to come. 

CUPA 9 slates have been specified as part of a modern luxury housing development in Yorkshire. The company’s natural Spanish slates were chosen on account of their aesthetic value, long-term durability and competitive pricing.  Set amongst the foothills of the Yorkshire Wolds and with panoramic views of the Humber Estuary, ‘The View’ in Swanland is a luxury 14 house development, which has been led by main developer, Church Gate Homes. The high-end collection of properties has been delivered using premium building solutions, including CUPA PIZARRAS H9, with each property featuring around 10,000 individual slates. Excelling in terms of aesthetics and long-lasting performance, natural roofing slates are capable of enduring extreme temperatures, are fire-resistant and unaffected by UV light. Incredibly durable, solutions manufactured from slate can offer a lifecycle of over 100 years. Additionally, the natural make up of the material ensures that it is also the most sustainable roofing option on the market. Specifically, CUPA 9 is a grey slate with a very smooth surface and is taken from one of CUPA PIZARRAS’ own quarries in Riofrío de Aliste in Northern Spain. With its traditional beauty, the natural slate is ideal for use across heritage projects. However, the stylish aesthetic of the material also lends itself equally well to modern developments, such as ‘The View’ where it can be used to create sleek roof designs. Speaking on the project, Calum Cowham, Marketing Manager at Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd commented: “The project team needed a roofing solution that both looked and performed perfectly. With the CUPA 9 slates that’s exactly what they got. What’s more, the company’s natural slate product range is available at a highly competitive price point, which owes a lot to CUPA PIZARRAS’ efficient and effective production methods.” Martin Sutton, Operations Manager at Church Gate Homes commented: “When working on high-value properties, it is important to offer customers products, which combine durability and aesthetic value. This is exactly what CUPA PIZARRAS slates allowed us to do at ‘The View’. The company’s natural products perfectly suited the prestigious nature of the site.” As well as offering quality slate solutions, the CUPA PIZARRAS specialists were also on hand to assist the installation team at Church Gate Homes with specific advice on how to fit the slates in line with all relevant standards and requirements. Similarly, the installation team benefitted from the onsite support of leading roofing merchant, Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd. Burton Roofing’s team helped to ensure products were safely delivered to site when required and provided further technical assistance where necessary. “The roofing installation at ‘The View’ was very straightforward and the finished results look great,” commented Martin. “The CUPA PIZARRAS slates have provided a clean and tidy appearance, which fits well across all of the properties. What’s more, we were able to carry out the installation with very little waste, which further bolstered the product’s cost-effective and environmental credentials.” To this end, natural slate solutions also have the added benefit of requiring no chemical or heat treatments that need gas during their production. To ensure even greater environmental performance, CUPA PIZARRAS also endeavours to recycle all of its processing water via a closed circuit, and works to restore exhausted quarries by hydroseeding native plants and ensuring the natural recovery of the local flora and fauna. CUPA PIZARRAS has also been recognised and certified by the Carbon Trust as a carbon neutral company. This recognition highlights the company’s comprehensive effort in sustainability and makes it the first slate production company to achieve carbon neutrality within its operations. All properties at ‘The View’ were sold prior to the commencement of the development. Work at the site continues to progress with the project team working to complete the bespoke designs of its individual customers.  

Eastbourne station is located in East Sussex. It was originally built in the 19th century and is classified as a Grade II listed building. Over the years, the station has undergone several renovations and upgrades.Back in October 2020 it was announced £5 million would be spent on restoring Eastbourne Railway Station to its ‘former glory’. Work done includes canopy refurbishment, slate roof replacement, masonry work to the front of the station, and new roofing above the atrium.Twinfix were approached to replace the glazing panels on the 32 lanterns on the station’s train shed with something hard wearing, sustainable and modern but without losing the period look. The change was needed because, according to the plans, the existing fixtures were ‘life expired and inefficient’.Twinfix supplied their Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roof glazing system, glazed with 6mm solid obscure polycarbonate. The new glazing spanned 1243 square metres and was installed by Gable, on behalf of Main Contractor BAM Nuttall.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated. The system is also completely recycleable.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works. A slight redesign of the original roof allowed 96 access hatches to be installed, making maintenance easier. Installed it’s almost impossible to detect the modern materials that have been used to bring this historic structure back to life.During the renovation work, Shaun King, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said, “The quality of work on site is being completed to a very high standard and we’re taking great care to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.”

The existing factory finish to this metal roof was degraded and failing in multiple places. The roof was cleaned and all existing GRP roof lights were replaced. Cut edge corrosion & spot rust was treated using Liquasil corrosion primer. An initial coat of Metalseal 20 was roller applied to all corrosion treated areas, followed by a single coat of Metalseal 20, spray applied to the entire roof area. The end result looks like a new roof and will easily provide 20 years protective, water resistant finish to this once poor roof.

A green roof system was selected for this project as the client required a roof that would complement and accommodate the step in levels to follow timber decking lines to the 55m² roof terrace areas. IKO Single Ply’s Spectraplan SM120 light grey single ply waterproofing system was overlaid to the existing roof and newly built sun rooms, ready to receive a green roof system.

Covering an area of nearly two acres (7,600 m2), the Holt Farm dairy complex includes two large and three smaller cattle buildings used for milking, housing, feed storage, offices, and viewing gallery. The complex typically houses 240 dairy cattle, yielding an average of 7,500 litres per year that is supplied to a nearby dairy processing facility. Holt Farm’s dairy complex is L-shaped with five interconnecting ridge-roofed buildings that create four internal valley gutters. The original fibre cement roof with badly yellowing old-style roof lights had deteriorated and suffered storm damage; the owners decided that a cost-effective new roof was required.

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.

With modern design, the building is at the forefront of technology ... These offices focused on writing newspaper and various journals under a single roof. The aim of this ambitious project is to maximise company resources, and be in agreement with the innovations of the new millennia... Barrisol contributed to this project with the provision of 1,100sqm of Barrisol acoustic light (BSA301010B) materials. 149 ceilings with 142 identical hexagons

The buildings around Clerkenwell Green in London feature a mixture of architectural styles. The area is designated a Conservation Area and some properties are listed. During the nineteenth century it was a busy centre for specialised crafts and manufacture and the buildings at No 10-11 were originally constructed as warehouses.The Uniform Clothing & Equipment Company (Uniquip) occupied the two buildings from around 1910 to the 1990s and was a well known supplier of band uniforms.Stagg Architects obtained planning permission to refurbish and extend the original 13,000 sq ft building by an additional 7,000 sq ft. The renovated building comprises a new roof extension, flexible spaces on the ground and lower ground floors and offices at the upper levels.A four storey side extension infill was constructed and Clement Windows Group were selected to manufacture the new and replacement steel windows and doors throughout the building. It was very important that the new windows were in keeping with the original building and did not detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding Conservation Area and adjoining Listed Buildings.Windows and doors from the Clement EB20 steel window range were chosen and powder paint coated in black with the accompanying hinges and handles painted to match the frames. The huge wall of steel windows to the side of building includes a patterned glass which allows light to enter while also providing privacy for the neighbouring properties.Photographs taken by Matt Chisnall, @mattchisnall

Natural sunlight and space were two of the key objectives for this extension located in South London. The client, an artist, writer, and former fine arts lecturer, had recently moved to London from Oxfordshire to be closer to her family, and was looking to produce a peaceful, tranquil space to help improve creativity when at work.“I had no fixed ideas about what I wanted, but I wanted more space because it was very small, very dark and I just needed to breathe” Client via Evening Standard.Looking to update this Victorian house into a future proof property, Atelier Baulier Architects worked with the client to achieve the radical vision of a virtually half opened roof through the use of a rooflight. Our Multi-Part Flushglaze rooflight was specified at just short of 8 metres which immerses the entire extension in daylight making the 21 sq. m. space feel much larger, hoping to improve the client’s productivity and focus. The art studio is located under the doubleheight volume, enjoying even light levels throughout the day. The writing room takes the vantage point of the mezzanine above the bathroom and is accessed from the first floor level through an opening made in the gable.Keen to retain discreet detailing to ensure the rooflight framing wasn’t distracting from the design, the Multi Part Rooflight was specified with silicone joints, as opposed to aluminium balustrades, making the product much sleeker. To help daylight flood the room even further, the unit was specified with three Wall Abutments on the high left and right side. The Wall Abutments are not visible from the internal view, this helped to enhance the desired discreet detailing.As stated, the rooflight was supplied in three sections with the frameless silicone joints segmenting each section; the three sections were sized to achieve an equal split when viewed from underneath. This meant that the end sections had to be larger to account for the upstand width.“We aimed to maximise the potential of this unusual site. Rather than subdividing the space the programme is housed within one continuous volume, allowing the daylight to flow through.” Aurore Baulier, Director, Atelier Baulier ArchitectsWith the house being located in a conservation area, the extension naturally blends in with its outstanding surroundings. Brickwork is a major part of this Victorian cottage and its extension. The new volume is a wood-fibre insulated timber construction overclad with bricks slips, resulting in a much lower carbon footprint than a traditional masonry wall. On the interior, brick slips dress the walls continuing the pattern created by the whitewashed brickwork of the existing gable.Atelier Baulier Architects worked brilliantly to maintain the nostalgic look of the building whilst also transforming it into a contemporary home, with the use of a glass rooflight proving to be successful in adding a vast amount of light and space to the originally dark and gloomy Victorian house.

Perry Hall Academy, a large primary school built in 1949, with original waterproofing still in-situ. IKO assisted the Academy funding bid by providing a detailed survey report, including intrusive core sample analysis. The roofs were suffering from water ingress, cracks in the mastic asphalt, pooled water and poor heat retention, so decision was made to replace the roofs throughout. New rooflights were also specified to allow more natural light in while the design chosen reduced the external noise transmission. IKO worked with specifier Concept Education Services to deliver the project (some work during term-time) within 6 months.

The building will feature natural light and outstanding views throughout, naturally-ventilated winter gardens on floors 3-12 and a landscaped roof terrace with spectacular views of London. IKO Permatec Hot Melt system was specified for the plant area and roof terrace spaces.

Westhill Community Church in Aberdeenshire was a new, green field project. Its highly contemporary style was designed for maximum functionality and to encourage use by the wider community. 33 FAKRO roof windows were discreetly positioned to flood the stage with natural light as well as illuminate a cluster of buildings which form the sanctuary, low rise foyer and adjoining offices.

Ngurah Rai International Airport, which carries a unique and futuristic building design, is the first airport in Indonesia that blends modernity and tradition. The roof is shaped like a wave, giving the iconic airport a representation to Bali’s famous sea waves and beautiful beaches. The airport is designed with a substantial use of glass to achieve optimal lighting, and the climate means regular maintenance is required to prevent staining. A bespoke fall arrest system was designed to ensure operators are able to practice 100% Fall Arrest tie off work methods when conducting maintenance activities.

Vicky and Nick, the owners of Holloway and Holloway, a London based architecture studio, share their story on living and working under the same roof, in a stunning recently extended house where they added an Unlimited Rooflight. Questions to Vicky and Nick:What was the decision-making trigger in choosing daylight from above?To be honest there was no choice here. In a London mid-terraced property, even a semi-detached one, when you do a side infill to increase the rear of the property by filling in the gap between the properties, it creates a dark space in the centre of the property where there is no natural light.So, you generally counter this by adding roof lights in the ceiling over the new extension, and make sure that they are placed fairly close to the back of the room so that you can flood that space with natural light.Vertical windows tend to allow a good level of natural light to penetrate around 6 meters into a building. Not only do roof lights allow a lot more light in a space than a vertical window, but as you can place these in more central areas in the room, they are nearly the only way to get daylight into the centre of your house.We have our office in the central room of the property, so for us, we had to have good natural light levels in this area as we spend the most amount of time here in the whole house.You added a rather large rooflight to your extension - The Unlimited Rooflight. What impact does it have on the space?It is amazing how bright the space is. We get so much light from above that the space always has a wonderful vibrance to it during the daytime.But I think that possibly what’s even more striking than the amount of light itself is the size of the glass, its 5m² total, split into 2 pieces. It makes it feel as though there is more glass than there is solid roof up there, it really is the wow feature of the whole space.Whilst we had expected that when we designed it as it was always meant to be the feature in the room, what we hadn’t realized was how much it would make the space feel bigger. With extensions on a mid-terrace property, you are often limited as to how high you can build so your ceiling height can be capped at a certain level, but having this huge opening in the middle of the room makes the whole space feel like you’ve got this really grand ceiling height, it has such an effect on how the space feels. Tell us what was the timeline from inspiration to finished interiors? I'm sure it's a question you get very often.Indeed. Well we actually only found out about Vario by VELUX as we were on site, they were just about to start the roof construction as we found out about them, so we didn’t have a huge amount of time and had to get things organized very quickly! From finding the products to getting them on site it was only a matter of weeks, once we had chosen a size for the roof lights all we had to do was confirm the opening dimensions to our contractors, and double check with the structural engineer that the roof structure was ok to support the new roof light. Once that was all sorted all we had to do was wait, it was a very easy process. The project took around 4 months on site in total, but the roof lights go in fairly near the end of the project, so once they’re in it’s all very exciting, as you are close to completion.  

Sutton station, owned and operated by Network Rail needed refurbishment. The station was showing signs of its age, with the old timber work in need of replacing, the roof leaking and the glass roof sections in need of some TLC. Due to their age, the glass roof sections had become fragile and had subsequently broken, Also because of the difficulty in safely cleaning them, they were proving more of a light blocker, than a source of natural light.It was decided that the glass roof sections would need replacing and in order to do this, Twinfix were consulted by Network Rail and asked to offer a solution. Twinfix were mindful of the aesthetics of the station but were also very aware that they could offer something which would provide a long-term solution for the station. Utilising their Multi-Link-Panel System, Twinfix put forward a solution which would do justice to the refurbishment work, the station was receiving whilst bringing the roof up to date and delivering an outcome which would last the test of time. By replacing the old steel and glass sections with their sustainable aluminium and polycarbonate Multi-Link-Panel System, Twinfix’s proposed solution would maintain the look and feel of the old roof, but deliver something which is virtually unbreakable, doesn’t need repairing or regular replacement and would allow routine cleaning to be carried out, keeping the station flooded with light. By replacing the old glass with a slightly obscured 6mm polycarbonate, the light inside the station would be diffused rather than harsh, and significantly brighter than the current situation.The new system would not only last the rigours of time, but is made of sustainable materials. Polycarbonate has minimal impact on the environment and is fully recyclable at the end of its long life. Polycarbonate panels, used in place of glass can be manufactured to give the same look as more traditional glass with features such as Georgian wired but with a significant weight saving. This weight saving means that transportation, manual handling of lifting is easier and requires less energy, plus the structural elements can be reduced as the weight they are required to support is reduced. The result is a total saving on energy and materials needed for installation. Once installed polycarbonate is considerably stronger than glass and is unlikely to break. Depending upon the requirements and location of the installation, Twinfix manufacture a ‘non-fragile’ version which, in testing could withstand far greater impact than an equivalent glass panel. This is especially good for areas where people might accidentally step or fall onto the panels such as rail station roofs. This inherent toughness also reduces the need to replace the glazing panel as often as glass and with UV coatings the panel doesn’t yellow with age or become brittle.Aluminium is known as the ‘Green metal’ due to its ability to be recycled again and again, without degradation of its inherent properties. Recycling aluminium also saves 95% of the energy required in the production of aluminium from raw materials. Compared to traditional steel, aluminium is approximately 2.5 times lighter, strength for strength, so again there is a weight saving comparable to that associated with polycarbonate over glass. Unlike steel, aluminium will not rust, and the application of powder coating will prevent corrosion. Powder coating is a pigment encapsulated in a powdered resin and then cured in an oven to harden the paint surface.Working with the roofing contractor, G.S. Moore, and as part of the larger station refurbishment, delivered by BAM Nuttall, Twinfix were able to replace the existing damaged glass roof in the entrance, the footbridge and the platform adding up to an area over 340 metres square, bathing the covered areas in natural light.Vicky Evans, Director at Twinfix, said; “It was a pleasure working with the team at Network Rail, G.S.Moore and BAM Nuttall. Sutton Station roof was in a dramatic need of replacement. We are proud of the finished product and that we were able to offer a long-term solution that delivers the aesthetic charm of the old roof, increases light levels for passengers, improves safety for all using the station and offers a sustainable, future proof outcome. We look forward to being part of delivering more excellent results for our clients in the future.”

Roof terrace for more space to enjoy with family and friends The ChallengeThe homeowner wanted to make sympathetic improvements to the existing components of their London townhouse without losing the essence that made it a home. This included partial conversion of main roof into terrace with access, the addition of roof light and the enlargement of an existing roof light. But with such a stunning property, standard and ordinary just would not do.The SolutionThere were three components were we provided expert advise and unique glazing solutions. Firstly, they wanted to bring more light to an existing bathroom which was achieved with an opening electric vent rooflight, that allowed both light and additional ventilation to the space.Secondly was enlargement of the roof light to a single storey extension at lower ground floor level. Thirdly was the design and installation of a Sliding over fixed rooflight above the third floor staircase that provided access to a new flat roof terrace which replaced the original butterfly roof.This now meant our client could maximise their property, create more space, and make a feature of their roof terrace where they could enjoy this vista with family and friends, capitalising on the views they and let light flood into the space below. Get in touchWhether you’re at planning or construction stage why not see how we could help you add natural light and space to your home; you can call us on 01223 792244 or pop us an email via info@nextgenrooflights.co.uk outlining what help you need.

BACKGROUND: The 74,843-square-foot Student Pavilion is situated at the nexus of student activity on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University (ASU). The building, which was designed to be a Net Zero Energy building, delivers green qualities including renewable energy, energy-efficiency and zero waste to showcase of the university’s goals for Climate Net Neutrality and sustainable building systems. SOLUTION: In order to properly daylight the 21,000-square-foot space on each level and meet design goals, Weddle Gilmore Black Rock Studio utilized the Solatube SolaMaster Series 330 and 750 DS-C units. To ensure a consistent amount of daylight, the design team used Solatube’s proprietary Design Calculator to determine the number of units needed on each level and the amount of light that the Solatube Daylighting Systems would bring into the spaces. Thermal insulation panels were also added to limit the amount of heat transfer into the building from the roof, and extension turrets were used to raise the outer domes and limit the amount of shade cast upon the devices. 

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.  

Twinfix is a family run business. For more than 30 years they 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. Last year, Twinfix assisted with the refurbishment of two of the UK’s historic stations, Gerrards Cross and Headstone Lane.Gerrards Cross StationGerrards Cross Station is a fantastic example of one of the nation’s historic stations. Built in 1906 as part of the Great Western and Great Central Joint Railway it has recently undergone a series of upgrades to improve the station for passengers.As part of a £2.4m Railway Upgrade Plan investment by Network Rail, the following areas were refurbished:Full replacement of the platform’s canopy – ensuring passengers are protected from the weatherInstalling lighting throughout – making the station safer and more secureRe-roofing of the main station’s roofWindows repairs where necessaryApplying fresh coats of paint to steelworkRefurbishment of the canopy roofHeadstone Lane StationTravel eleven miles east of Gerrards Cross and you arrive at Headstone Lane station. Another of the UK’s historic stations, this station opened in February 1913 and consists of a small single storey brick-built station building adjacent to the Headstone Lane road bridge, with two platforms.This station was also part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, with investment in the refurbishment of both platform canopies.An innovative roof glazing systemA team comprising of Network Rail, Principal Contractor J. Murphy & Sons Limited, and specialist Design Consultant Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd were assigned to the job to ensure that the correct roof glazing was specified and installed over the platforms.The product chosen for both stations was the innovative Twinfix modular non-fragile Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) system, glazed with 6mm clear solid polycarbonate. Approximately 225 square metres of these panels were required to re-glaze the five canopies across both stations, with panels delivered to site ready for quick installation.Each panel of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system comprises of a powder-coated aluminium frame and fitted with polycarbonate glazing. The panels are built completely off-site in a quality-controlled factory environment, reducing the risk, and cost, of site mistakes, and are delivered on-site fully glazed and ready for rapid installation. The system has a unique linking design feature that results in incredibly quick installation times, making the system very much suited to rail work due to its restricted possession times.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability – these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated.safety – Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction – The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access – The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight – The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works.appearance – the clear polycarbonate panels have the appearance of glass and provide just the right level of light transmission onto the platforms below.This project demanded a collaborative approach, requiring Twinfix to liaise closely with Principal Contractor J. Murphy & Sons Limited, installation company Orchard Roofing & Building, and design consultancy Arcadis, where early engagement with the team ensured that all aspects of the project ran smoothly from the onset.Richard Nash, Contracts Manager at J. Murphy & Sons Limited commented: ‘Throughout the design and implementation stages of our refurbishment works at Gerrards Cross and Headstone Lane Railway Stations, Twinfix have been a pleasure to work with. Working alongside both our designers and approved installers, they have provided a professional end to end service resulting in a quality finished product.’Piotr Stencel, Senior Project Manager at Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd commented: “All the Twinfix team we have been in contact with have been very helpful to provide information, contact and help resolve issues. We were also invited to their offices in Warrington back in 2019 where we could see/touch Twinfix products and discuss design/constructability aspects which is always better than just seeing on the product data sheet.”The Twinfix team are proud to be part of this journey that will see the UK rail network revolutionised and sees exciting times ahead for the company.

Our real life cases are meant to inspire you, so we always look for unique projects to follow and document. This case is unique in it’s own right thanks to the early adoption of bespoke blinds to fit the Vario by VELUX rooflights.Let us take you on a journey to a beautifully renovated 1930’s home in East-Sussex, where homeowner Graham Gray lives alongside his wife, children and dog. As much as they loved their house as it was, they finally made the decision to redevelop mostly the back of the house. This renovation included not only a bespoke rectangular rooflight, but also custom made blinds which perfectly fit the roof window.Brightening up a 1930’s home with natural lightingA house built in the ‘30’s isn’t usually the brightest of homes. These houses often come with few or small windows which don’t allow natural lighting to fully penetrate a room, causing dark spots and corners all around the house. This is why Graham and his family wanted natural daylight to be a focal point in the renovation of their mid-century home, saying “Light was really important to make an area spacious and airy.”. They sure lit up the place by choosing one of the biggest singular bespoke rooflights in the size 3000 mm by 1000 mm.The perks of a big custom Vario by Velux skylightBecause the Gray family opted for such a big rectangular skylight, it let in a bunch of light. We asked Graham what he loved the most about the rooflight; “During the day you are looking at the sunlight being brought in, and then during the night you are looking at the wondrous sky and the stars. And if I’m honest during the summer I can’t see us using any light other than the light coming from the VELUX rooflight.”. Another bright side to our rooflights is that they don’t require days or even weeks of work. The three by one meter skylight was practically placed in less than a morning!Creating an ambience with blinds for VELUX roof windowsWhile having a rooflight comes with a lot of perks, there is something to consider; sunlight can’t be dimmed down. Sometimes you want a room to feel warm and cosy, which you often do by turning off some lights or closing the curtains. Graham and his family understood the importance of creating an ambience, and thus opted for skylight blinds for VELUX roof windows. Graham’s daughter added; “The rooflight can do so much more than just be a feature. It has a lot of practicality like giving ambience for movies and makes the space feel more homey and lived in.”Why Graham and his builder chose Vario by Velux as their window supplierGraham’s builder had recommended VELUX because “it’s a well-known, high quality brand with excellent customer support”. But what played an exceptionally big part in the decision was the availability of Vario, mostly thanks to our unique feature to design your own custom made skylight! The Gray’s made a bold move to go very large and incorporated a big rooflight with a feature that allows them to open it remotely, allowing for natural ventilation. This meant that Graham and his family could choose the size that they wanted and needed, including custom fit blinds and a rain detector which automatically closes the window in case of bad weather.Welcome the beauty of daylight into your designsIf you are an architect involved in home renovation or construction projects, our customised rooflights offer an ideal solution to bring abundant natural light into your designs. By incorporating rooflights, you can transform any space into a vibrant and illuminated environment. Our team of experienced daylight specialists is available to assist you in selecting the perfect skylight that aligns with your specific requirements and preferences. Embrace the opportunity to enhance your architectural creations and experience the profound effects of natural lighting with Vario by VELUX.

When you are renovating a home, you want the result to be exactly as you pictured it. Abigail and her husband Mark were able to do just that! They had plans to extend their home and renovate their kitchen & dining area with loads of natural light, curious what their experience was like? Be sure to keep reading!Natural daylight is a key component of Abigail’s homeNatural daylight is an essential part of the look and feel of a house. When Abigail and her husband were planning on renovating their home, which they started in 2019, they understood the importance of this concept. The couple told us: “We were always planning to have a rooflight to let in as much light as possible”. Their home was built in the 1930’s, so the small windows from the original build weren’t able to provide them with enough light.The family introduced as many windows as they could. The Vario Skylight was the perfect addition to their vision. It has really made sure that they can enjoy nature to the fullest every single day. “Without the rooflight, the space just wouldn’t be the same” is what the couple had told us.Bespoke rooflights; custom made to fit your needsThere’s a world full of skylights in many shapes and sizes, but not all of them will fit your wants and needs. Vario by VELUX acts as a bridge, linking your creative ideas with the perfect rooflight for your space. Abigail agreed with us and said “The importance of bespoke meant that we could get exactly the size that we wanted.” She and her husband opted with a single rectangular skylight in one piece, instead of it being dissected into different parts. This allowed the space to be in touch with nature and filled with daylight without casting shadows. While most custom designs can only be visualized after they’ve been installed, we offer a design tool in which you can plan out your vision and get an idea of what you can expect. Abigail actually used the configurator on our website and even called it ‘best practice’.Transform the feel of a home with a Vario rooflightVario by Velux wants you to also be in touch with the energy of a space. This vision matched with what Abigail was looking for. She told us that VELUX helped them create the feeling that they wanted, which was as much light as possible and the rooflight does that immensely. Since they had been renovating their home for quite some time, the couple felt loads of relief and excitement when the roof window was finally installed adding: “We had been staring at an open hole for weeks, and when it actually dropped in it was amazing.”A holiday feel with light and natureMark and Abigail have always had a dream to live in Ibiza, but aren’t able to do so now that they have three kids. That’s why they wanted to spice up their home with a holiday atmosphere as if they brought a little Ibiza with them. Their south facing property helps them do that as they can enjoy the sunlight from the early hours of the morning. Add in a big rooflight and some lovely plants, and they were able to create that holiday feeling in the comfort of their own home.Vario by VELUX as a trusted partner in custom skylightsA roof window isn’t a product you decide to buy on a whim. Having a reliable manufacturer by your side every step of the way is crucial, which is why we understand this need. Vario by VELUX will aid you every step of the way, from design to placement. Abigail was glad that our daylight experts were there to offer expertise and advice. She told us “We got a lot of help from VELUX and they were so helpful. There was always somebody on hand to help guide us through the process.”Invite the daylight by getting a bespoke roof windowWhether you're renovating an existing home or building a new one, our custom rooflights are an excellent addition that will bring natural light into a home, creating a brighter and more comfortable living environment. Trust our daylight experts to help you choose the right rooflight for your space, and see the difference that natural light can make in your home with Vario by VELUX.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) The roof being part of the collection ...CHALLENGE The 19th-century neoclassical museum in the South district of Antwerp was in need of an entire refurbishment, including an ambitious extension. Therefore the decision was taken to transform the former inner courtyards into a new vertical museum area. A hidden modern museum showcasing contemporary art within the walls of the old historic one. Two different worlds within one building. To protect the valuable art collection of paintings and drawings a solution was sought to bring as much indirect and northern light into the art rooms as possible. SOLUTIONIn this respect, Claus en Kaan architects created a fabulously ingenious design for the roof. The rooftop would be completed with no fewer than 198 triangular skylights. As well as presenting aesthetic value, the roof triangles are designed in such a way as to have northern light entering the museum. As north-facing windows would allow indirect light, an important feature to protect the valuable works of art inside. In addition, to provide extra reflection of light, the architects opted for a white roof.

Linework Architects imaginative use of architectural glass rooflights was key to transforming this period north London property. Lineworks director, Robert Haworth collaborated with Glazing Vision with the objective of delivering natural daylight and a touch of glamour to some tricky spaces whilst maintaining privacy where needed.The design brief for the project called for an ultra-minimalist final finish, so it was important that all of the glazing featured minimal framework and a clean integration with the building fabric itself.Glazing Visions philosophy of minimum framework, maximum daylight was the preferred solution and met all of the design requirements, providing enough flexibility to tackle the various challenges that the scheme presented. The property comprises of three stories with a mixture of extensions added to increase usable living space, the problem with this is that some of these areas can be starved of natural daylight, making them gloomy and uninviting, in order to combat this, several types of rooflight needed to be specified to tackle each of the areas.Beginning on the ground floor, a wrap around extension has been created featuring a modern and contemporary kitchen dining area leading on to the garden. A large set of sliding glass doors provides natural daylight and access to the outdoor space, but their effectiveness at delivering enough daylight is limited as you go deeper into the building where it would begin to feel darker and more claustrophobic.To address this, a Glazing Vision modular rooflight system measuring over six metres in length runs along the entire length of the extension, this unit is fixed structurally to the original wall of the building creating the feeling of a ‘glass roof’ when transitioning from the original building to the new. Manufacturing the unit in three sections allowed it to be successfully maneuvered on site without the use for an expensive crane and the structural silicone joints between the sections maintained the frameless appearance needed to compliment the minimalist interior.“All three rooflights were quite tricky to install because the property was a terraced house and there was no ability to use a crane. Somehow the team got them in!” Robert Haworth, Director, Linework Architects.The creation of a second storey extension was essential to provide a large family bathroom space, but this meant that the stairwell leading to it was another area potentially starved of natural daylight. Installing a rooflight overhead was a logical solution, but this was complicated by the position of the stairwell being located beneath two opposing pitched roofs. An off the shelf solution would not be acceptable as any rooflight installed above would need to be designed to accommodate this tricky detail.As rooflight specialists, Glazing Vision were able to design and manufacture a custom shaped fixed Flushglaze unit specifically for this part of the building.Therefore maximising the amount of overhead glazing and thus lighting the stairwell sufficiently so that it can be used safely without the need for artificial lighting. Perhaps one of the most quirky and inventive parts of this renovation is the use of glazing in the bathroom, the client had specified a large walk-in shower area which was easily achievable given the space available but would have resulted in the shower being located in a dark corner of the room necessitating the use of artificial lighting. Natural daylight is critical when attempting to achieve a minimalist scheme, so Linework Architects wanted to ensure that this element was carried through to all corners of the building.“We were trying to make a really exceptional bathroom space, so we decided to use the Eaves Rooflight, and play with the glass transparencies.” Robert Haworth, Director, Linework Architects.The resulting installation delivers a floor to ceiling vertical glass window section which transitions into the roof seamlessly with no additional framework, this creative solution provides a unique design element to the bathroom and the much-needed daylight to open up the space. Being a bathroom, privacy also had to be addressed, particularly in the shower area! Glazing Vision recommended the use of opaque satin etched glass which provides enough translucency to allow light to permeate, but also presents a frosted glass finish sparing the blushes of anyone using the shower.Taking around five months to complete, this was not a straightforward scheme to deliver, however the end result can be considered transformative. Linework Architects uncompromising and inventive use of glass rooflights has proved incredibly successful in this project and contributed greatly to the feeling of light, air, and space in this minimalist haven.