DAYLIGHTING IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
Optimise living space creatively, with rooflights Everyone knows that rooflights are all about providing more natural daylight – but you should also consider how they can create new and often unexpected ways to make more of valuable living spaces. Ian Weakford, representing NARM, the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers, shares a few ideas… Mention the word ‘rooflight’ and most people would think of a typical, hinged ‘roof window’ for use in pitched roofs, or one of the increasingly popular flat glass rooflights for flat roofed extensions. However, the term ‘rooflight’ can be applied to a huge range of different products, all designed with the primary aim of delivering high levels of natural daylight to building interiors, but each offering different options in terms of aesthetics and functionality. So, if you’re planning on a selfbuild project, or maybe involved in renovating or re-modelling an existing property, here are a few ideas to consider:
Roof terraces with a daylightinspired twist If the property has any areas of flat roofing, have you ever considered the possibility of creating a roof terrace? These are becoming increasingly popular in urban areas where living accommodation and outdoor spaces come at a premium – and rooflights can play a big role in their success. First, you’ll need to consider the roof construction and confirm that it can support floor loadings. Easy access can then be gained to the terrace using
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July/August 2020
Image courtesy of Glazing Vision
sliding box-type skylights. These units are available in a variety of glazing configurations designed to be fitted within the existing building structure, together with an internal staircase from the room below. They provide easy, secure access for regular use, plus the added benefit of natural daylight flooding into the staircase and the room below. For maximum daylight utilisation below the terrace, you could also consider ‘walk-on’ rooflights, set into the floor substrate of the terrace. These make a stunning feature and a real talking point. Non-slip, ‘obscure’ glazing can be specified for safety and privacy,
www.daylightingmag.co.uk
