3 minute read
From car showroom to daylight-flooded home
Stella Rooflight has supplied 12 bespoke conservation rooflights for a stunning conversion project in the seaside town of Lytham St Annes in Lancashire.
The project to convert a Late Edwardian purpose-built garage and car showroom into a stunning 21st Century modern home was the dream of architect and homeowner Sean Kember.
The property was first designed and constructed in 1909 by local architect Thomas Hedges, for the Williams Brothers. The building remained a car showroom for over 100 years and to this day the building remains somewhat of an icon in the local area.
Conscious of the building’s local history and importance the new owners were careful to preserve the original fabric of the building, while undertaking the much needed renovation works, which would breathe new life into the building and transform it into their new dream seaside home.
A large part of the renovation and conversion works included the complete rebuilding of the old steel structured roof with new timbers and the installation of large conservation rooflights, which would flood the large open internal space with natural daylight.
Stella Rooflight were commissioned to produce a total of 12 bespoke conservation rooflights to fit the new openings. 10 smaller rooflights, which comprised of 6 opening and 4 fixed frames, were designed to fit internal rafters of 690mm x 940mm and 550mm x 740mm. A much larger non opening rooflight which was sized at 3000mm wide x 3500mm high was designed as a grand centre piece in the roof. This rooflight was supplied in two sections which were purpose designed to sit one on top of the other, with each section being divided into three panes.
All 12 rooflights were manufactured using marine grade stainless steel and finished in a high quality C5 marine grade black powder coating. An important consideration given the building’s coastal location and the propensity to rust associated with mild carbon steel rooflights.
The Stella rooflights also included a high specification glazing with BioClean Self-Clean, Solar Control outer pane with a warm edge spacer filled with Argon Gas. The internal glass panel used Planitherm Comfort Plus to provide the perfect balance of light, warmth and comfort. The rooflight was finished internally with a stunning American Ash interior liner.
Due to the size of the larger rooflights, a specialist crane was required to lift the rooflights from the delivery vehicle, over the building and directly into place. The installation required careful planning, which was overseen by local specialist roofing contractor Ben Valentine-Lynden from Blackpool Industrial Roofing.
Ben said: “Throughout the process we dealt directly with Paul at Stella. He was incredibly helpful throughout, advising us on the whole installation from the crane lift to weather proofing the roof lights. Paul was also happy to schedule the arrival of the rooflights to suit us and the weather, on arrival the units were packaged excellently and made for an easy transition from wagon to roof.
“Overall I think these are a great product, easy enough to install and the finished look is fantastic. Would definitely recommend and would use again.”
Sean Kember, Client and Director of Gilling Dod Architects, said: “Stella’s technical team worked closely with us throughout the process and were a great help in making sure that everything ran smoothly. As you would expect we did a great deal of research before deciding to run with Stella Rooflights, and from your initial assistance with the specification through to the installation on site, you have been great to work with. I would also like to say that the quality of the rooflights is excellent! Thank you.”
For further information about Gilling Dod Architects visit https://www. gillingdod.com
