Daylighting Magazine
DAYLIGHTING is published by:
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EDITOR Paul Bennett
paul@daylightingmag.co.uk
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daylighting@constructivemedia.co.uk
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YOUR DAY Brightening
Glass rooflights can transform your home by creating a luxurious, aesthetically pleasing architectural feature and make space look bigger by illuminating dark areas.
Rooflights can add up to 25% extra natural light to a room and in some cases, ventilation, to parts of your home where standard vertical windows aren’t practical.
They are also a great way of adding extra light whilst maintaining privacy.
With a large proportion of time being spent indoors, rooflights can maintain the connection with the natural world throughout the year, therefore reducing the occurrence of seasonal affective disorder with a naturally lit living space.
There are many physiological benefits of a naturally lit home.
Research shows that increased exposure to natural light has many positive effects including boosting vitamin D levels which improves our mood and overall health.
Brett Martin offers an extensive range of glass rooflights for every application and home style which maximises daylight to create healthier and happier environments.
Glass Link is a system of versatile, elegantly designed and easy to install modules for any building type.
A multi module Glass Link rooflight was chosen for an extension for a private residence situated in a suburb of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
The rooflight which is dual module, consists of a standard glass specification which is highly thermally efficient with double glazing with a U-value as low as 1.46 W/m2K.
Glass Link was selected due to its aesthetic appeal including its lowprofile exterior as well as its ability to extend daylight along the length of the kitchen area.
For more information please visit: www.brettmartin.com
Product: Glass Link
Product Type: Flat Glass
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
A NEW ERA IN CONSTRUCTION?
Following the publication this month of the final report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, I and my colleagues and partners, hope that the industry can learn and put plans in place to avoid future tragedy.
There will, I’m sure, be many challenges ahead, in delivering the required level of building safety, and that some of the many improvements needed cannot happen overnight.
However, it’s now more than seven years since the appalling events at the Grenfell Tower claimed the lives of 72 residents of the building. It is our hope and expectation that the Government and industry will act together to put more effective measures in place to prevent any more deaths resulting from poor construction practices.
I’m aware of work that’s already being undertaken in this respect: the Building Safety Act, the Fire Safety Act and the Code for Construction Product Information are at the beginning of what will hopefully be a new era in construction, in which safety is prioritised above all other factors.
Trade associations provide constructive connections between industry and government in terms of legislative decisions.
The trade association representing businesses involved with Daylighting in the UK, is The Rooflight Association: a partner organisation to this publication. In this issue, you’ll find a special supplement outlining the benefits of Rooflight Association membership, as well as an article outlining the association and its work.
You’ll also find the usual mix of news, case studies and regular features covering the provision of natural daylight in the built environment – from a range of perspectives. As always, I hope you’ll find it an enjoyable, informative read.
If you have any issues you’d like to raise or draw attention to in a future issue of Daylighting Magazine, please email me: paul@daylightingmag.co.uk
Paul Bennett - Editor paul@daylightingmag.co.uk
Howells Supplies Rooflight for
LONDON’S OLDEST BOOKSHOP
Hatchards is a British institution. Occupying 187 Piccadilly, it is the oldest bookshop in London.
The booksellers, now owned by Waterstones, exclaims that the ‘essence of 187 Piccadilly remains the same and is unchangeable’. This presented quite a challenge for contractor, Chrisalis Refurb when tasked with supplying and installing external scaffold access to the front elevation up to roof level incorporating a temporary roof, giving access to remove the existing rooflight, make good areas of the existing opening and then to supply and install a new bespoke rooflight.
For the glazing solution Chrisalis Refurb sought the expertise of Howells Patent Glazing.
Replica
rooflight
187 Piccadilly is a listed building therefore the rooflight had to be replaced like for like. Originally the rooflight would have been single glazed with lead.
Over the years it has been updated and Howells was tasked with replacing the Georgian wired cast glass which had been in-situ for 2030 years.
Rooflight specification
“The Georgian wired cast glass is not classed as a safety glass nowadays so had to be replaced, plus it was starting to slip and leak,” comments, Warren Lowe, draughtsman for Howells Patent Glazing.
“We recommended a replica polycarbonate to meet the requirement for a single glazed option. We suggested this because it is lightweight so wouldn’t add extra load to the steel support frame, and it is not translucent, so it is aesthetically more pleasing given the view of the suspended ceiling beneath.”
For the structure of the rooflight Howells selected its HG3 bar. While the internal stalk would be covered by the suspended ceiling below, the external wing bar is visible and is a good match for the original as is the bar’s uncoated mill finish which will dull down overtime.
Professional
and reliable
Commenting on the working relationship with Howells, Chrisalis Refurb, says: “We found them [Howells] to be very professional and reliable from the initial planning stages with Walter Howells through to getting drawings approved with Warren Lowe.”
For more information please visit www.howellsglazing.co.uk
LAMILUX introduces
BRIGHT SPACES IN THE FUTURE of sustainable education
A new build school in Dunfermline, Scotland, has replaced St Columba's RC High School and Woodmill High School as part of the new Dunfermline Learning Campus.
Historically, both schools were rated as Grade C (poor, exhibiting major defects, and/or not operating as intended) due to their condition, which initiated proposals from Fife Council to replace the deteriorating buildings with a new single site. The new Dunfermline Learning Campus now brings together students and staff from both schools to a modern, fit-for-purpose and low-carbon facility across 26,666m, making it the UK’s largest Passivhaus education building.
LAMILUX put together a bespoke rooflight package design proposal, tailored to the client, comprising of 20 LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 Passivhaus mono pitch rooflights and a total of 25 LAMILUX Glass Skylight FE Passivhaus rooflights. A full turnkey solution from design detail to installation was commissioned, to collaborate with the Scottish Governments investment to meet the international Passivhaus standard for energy
efficiency, whilst supporting Fife Councils demonstration of commitment to forward thinking sustainable education.
Dunfermline Learning Campus hosts approx. 1,450 students, who started their education within the certified Passivhaus building upon opening in August 2024. The sustainable new campus benefits both pupils and staff members by supporting their wellbeing whilst promoting learning in a comfortable and inspiring environment.
Natural light and integrated ventilation now floods classrooms, corridors and the sports hall to contribute to the creation of a highly performing building that will be stimulating, comfortable and energy efficient, all supporting an improved learning and concentration environment. The Passivhaus concept has a proven track record of energy efficiency, comfort, costeffectiveness and environmental friendliness. The Passivhaus Institut Darmstadt emphasises,
a Passivhaus building requires 75 percent less thermal heat than conventional new buildings.
With triple solar control glazing 50/25, and excellent air tightness values the LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 Passivhaus mono pitch rooflights were designed to be south facing, to deliver ample daylight, whilst avoiding overheating and ensures a comfortable indoor climate all year round. A Passivhaus building will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer and can benefit from lower running costs and energy bills - typically by 90% compared to a nonPassivhaus building.
Within the planning process, each of the 45 rooflights were carefully considered and designed to be unique in its overall size, number of glass fields, and number of ventilation flaps to ensure that each of the rooms below benefit independently from the right indoor air quality and daylight distribution. The smallest being the LAMILUX Glass Skylight FE Passivhaus modular rooflight measuring a structural roof opening size of 1200 x 1200mm, whilst the largest, a LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 Passivhaus mono pitch rooflight with a span of 1150mm and length of 7330mm, which was divided into six glass fields, three of which are openable and provides 0.85m² ventilation.
A mixture of 5°, 10 ° and 54° mono pitch rooflight inclinations were also designed and installed to give the exceptional amount of natural daylight the area below merited, all holding Passivhaus certification as a phA advanced component.
LAMILUX U.K Ltd, Patron members of the Passivhaus Trust, are delighted to showcase the rooflights designed, manufactured and installed on this stunning and sustainable project on behalf of AHR and Bam Construction Ltd which has been successfully completed and gained certification as a Passivhaus building. The new education facility opened its doors to students on August 21st, 2024.
James Fisher, Managing Director of LAMILUX U.K. Ltd testifies “We are proud that we are making an important contribution to people’s health, education and to the health of the planet.”
Daniel Boughton, Certified Passivhaus Tradesperson added “More and more architects are focussing on the Passivhaus construction concept, and we are pleased to be part of the journey as we move onto a brighter, and more sustainable future in education and beyond.”
For more information please visit: www.lamiluxskylights.co.uk
Howells’ Ultraline Illuminates
NEW BUILD EXTENSION
‘Let
in as much light as possible,’ that was the brief to bespoke window and door company, Benchmark Windows when tasked with supplying products for a new build extension.
The property, based in the coastal village of East Preston, backs onto the beach with far-reaching views across the English Channel. The homeowners decided to demolish an ageing extension and rebuild to make the most of this vista and maximise natural light within.
“The client was sent our way by their builder, who is a longstanding Benchmark Windows’ customer,” comments Josh Brown from Benchmark Windows Ltd. “The requirement was to get as much light as possible into the new extension and for daylight to reach deeper into the plan. They also wanted the best products we can offer.”
Trusted rooflight supplier
The product specification was heavily influenced by the coastal location. Self-cleaning glass was essential for the rooflight, for example. For this, Benchmark Windows turned to trusted supplier, Howells Patent Glazing.
“We have worked with Howells for 12 years now. They are reliable, and our fitters like installing their products, plus our customers love them too. We selected the company’s glass rafter rooflight, Ultraline, for this project because the client wanted an uninterrupted view. The Ultraline is perfect for this because its glass rafters give the illusion of one large pane of glass across the 6.6m x 1.6m opening.”
Rooflight specification
Howells designed and manufactured its Ultraline aluminium rooflight with six panes of 28mm double glazed units and five 175mm glass rafter dividers, at a pitch of four degrees.
The aluminium frame is powder coated in Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016 matt) on the outside and Satin White inside. The coating provides added protection against the coastal conditions.
For ease and practicality, the client requested self-cleaning glass. To meet this requirement and to combat the effects of solar gain, Howells used heat soaked toughened glass with an easy-clean coating and solar control properties.
Safe and easy installation
The rooflight was delivered to site unglazed due to the weight of the glass. Each pane weighs 35kg. “We’ve installed plenty of rooflights in the past,” continues, Josh, “…and we know the best way to install them safely. We also know that there is no issue if ever we need Howells’ support during an installation; they are happy to help.”
If an Ultraline rooflight measures less than five metres by two metres, the unglazed rooflight can be
delivered preassembled, direct to site in an unbranded vehicle. If the rooflight exceeds these dimensions, such as the one installed in East Preston, then it can be delivered in multiple parts. Early morning drop-offs mean the Ultraline rooflight can be installed in a day.
Josh explains how the client has reacted to the completed installation: “They love it and are over the moon with the entire project.
Now that the sun is finally out, they can really enjoy the space and appreciate the amount of natural light that pours into their home, and the connection with the garden and beach beyond.”
To find out more about the Ultraline aluminium rooflight from Howells Patent Glazing, please get in touch www.howellsglazing.co.uk
To learn more about Benchmark Windows Ltd please visit benchmarkwindows.co.uk.
Images courtesy of Benchmark Windows.
WITH COLOUR Framing Natural Light
Victoria Brocklesby, COO and Co-founder of Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, discusses the role colour plays in framing natural light in a property.
The relationship between light and colour
Every architect knows that natural light is a crucial element in home design. It has the ability to transform spaces, boost people’s moods, and enhance the overall feel of a property.
While it’s easy to focus on controlling the amount of natural light entering a space, it’s also important to consider how the use of colour in every aspect of a room can complement the aesthetic being created.
Using colour to manipulate light
We know that pure white is the very best option for reflecting light.
However, homeowners are increasingly moving away from the stark, modern feel that bright white creates, favouring warmer shades instead. Pastel yellows, light blues, bright oranges, and blush pinks are excellent options for projects that require a pop of colour whilst maximising natural light. When the sunlight enters a room painted in these hues, it instantly bounces off the walls, making the space feel bright and airy. This reflective quality can make even the smallest or dimmest rooms feel larger and more inviting.
In contrast, darker colours tend to absorb light. While this effect doesn’t work for every room in the home, dark colours can be a good choice for certain spaces.
Take a reading nook for example, deeper colours - think rich greens, warm navies, and charcoal greys - can create a cosy, intimate atmosphere by muting the daylight and reducing glare.
Framing spaces with colour
It’s not just walls and ceilings that can frame natural light, though. The colours chosen for glazed door and window frames can also influence how light enters and moves through a room, as well as how the views from within the home are framed.
The colour of a glazed doorframe can either amplify or contain the light that passes through it.
Lighter coloured frames can help to distribute light between rooms, especially in smaller spaces or areas where natural light is limited. For instance, a white or pale grey door can brighten a hallway by reflecting light from adjoining rooms, creating a more unified and airy space. Dark-coloured doors, on the other hand, can be used to limit the transfer of light and create a sense of separation between spaces.
The colour of window frames plays a similar role. Light, soft colours will make the window appear larger, ideal for smaller rooms or those with limited natural light. By contrast, black, dark greys and even deep bronzes create a strong visual contrast against the incoming light, drawing the eye toward the view outside. This framing of natural lights works well in spaces where the outdoor scenery is a focal point.
Conclusion
When considering how to manipulate natural light in a home, it’s essential to think beyond the colours of walls and ceilings, and also consider how the light entering the property is being framed.
By carefully considering how glazed doors and windows interact with natural light in a room, architects can create truly unforgettable spaces.
For more information about Origin and to view its full product range, please visit www.origin-global.com.
YOUR HOME your design, your build
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) is the UK'S only permanent venue for independent homebuilding advice & support.
Established in 2007, we have helped a quarter of a million visitors build their own dream home or extend and improve existing properties.
Located on J16 of the M4, Swindon, our unique venue, covering 67,000ft2, features several full-size houses, interactive educational zones – incorporating many life-size exhibits – and a huge ‘Trade Village’ with over 200 specialist exhibitors, showcasing the very best products and technologies.
Experts on our free helpdesk (staffed Wednesday to Sunday) are here to discuss visitors plans and ideas, share their experience, and signpost people to relevant professionals and suppliers who can help make their project a success.
Aside from being open six days a week, we produce a full calendar of shows, themed workshops and courses covering key topics, from plot finding and planning to funding and heating options.
We run several ‘eco’ events including our popular Eco Workshops and our Passivhaus Workshop’s produced in partnership with the Passivhaus Trust.
The NSBRC was named Wiltshire’s small business of the year in 2017 and in the same year won a Build It award for Outstanding Contribution to Self Build. In 2021 we won the Employee Ownership Association’s award for Business Resilience following our response to the pandemic.
We believe people deserve better, sustainable homes. We help achieve this by delivering our three key promises:
• We’ll inspire you by showcasing the very best building methods, trends and technologies.
• We’ll inform you with our range of shows, workshops, courses and educational tours.
• We’ll always offer impartial advice you can trust.
Did you know?
In November 2014 a new company was formed to operate the National Self Build & Renovation Centre. This business (The Homebuilding Centre Limited) is employee owned. Our team of employee-owners have a genuine stake in the business via our ‘hybrid’ ownership model.
We have a combination of shares held by our Employee Ownership Trust (our largest share-holder), direct share-holders (all held by employees) and a Share Incentive Plan.
This model allows us to reward our team well, and to share part of our profit if we collectively feel we want to. More importantly, perhaps, the culture that employee-ownership inevitably brings, allows us to work
with openness and transparency, sharing ideas and feedback in a caring environment. We are passionate about providing the best experience for our visitors, exhibitors and conferencing guests.
We were thrilled to receive our 500th Google review in April 2023, and we are currently averaging a score of 4.7/5, which we hope reflects the experience that people enjoy with us.
The NSBRC is open six days a week for visitors. Our standard opening hours are: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am - 17:30pm • Sunday: 10:00am - 16:30pm • www.nsbrc.co.uk
DESIGN Daylight at the Heart of
At the heart of modern architecture is the desire to create spaces that not only serve a functional purpose but also enhance the well-being of those who use them. The Omnia & Wageningen University & Research (WUR) Centre in the Netherlands is a shining example of this principle in action.
The Omnia & Wageningen University & Research (WUR) Centre in the Netherlands is a shining example of this principle in action. Designed as a CO₂-neutral building, this multipurpose educational facility uses natural light as a central element in its design, creating a vibrant and sustainable environment where people can thrive.
A Pavilion Bathed in Light Broekbakema Architects envisioned the Omnia & WUR Centre as a "pavilion on the green," a structure that blends seamlessly with its lush surroundings. The goal was to infuse the building with natural light to create an inviting and vibrant atmosphere.
However, they faced a challenge: how to brighten up areas like narrow corridors and large, enclosed spaces that lacked traditional window access.
The solution? Innovative rooflights that brought daylight into these hard-to-reach spots.
These rooflights were more than just functional—they were integral to achieving the building's vision of a bright, open environment that felt connected to the outdoors.
The VELUX Modular Rooflight’s Circularlight modules were chosen not only for their ability to flood the interior with natural light but also for their sleek, unobtrusive design.
The installation of 14 custom VELUX Modular Rooflights at the WUR Centre made a significant impact.
Circular lights were designed to maximize daylight without cluttering the view with visible framing, making every corner of the building feel spacious and well-lit. Their round design not only added a stylish touch but also blended perfectly with the building’s overall aesthetic.
Elegant Design meets
Efficient Installation
The prefabricated nature of the VELUX Modular Rooflights meant they could be installed quickly and efficiently, keeping the project on track, and minimizing any construction hiccups. This smooth installation process was crucial in maintaining the project’s timeline and achieving the design goals.
This approach ensured that the project ran smoothly and adhered to the planned schedule.
The rooflights fit seamlessly into the building’s structure, enhancing both its practical use and visual appeal. By focusing on easy installation and design, the architects managed to create a space that not only looked great but also performed exceptionally well.
The project shows how including natural light effectively can make an enormous difference in a building’s atmosphere and functionality.
It highlights the importance of flexible design solutions, which can be customized to fit the unique needs of any space. Moreover, the combination of daylighting with sustainable design practices proved to be a winning formula. The building not only supports environmental goals but also creates an uplifting environment for its occupants improving their everyday life.
Embracing Daylight in Design
The Omnia & Wageningen University & Research Centre is a shining example of how natural light can transform a building.
By prioritizing daylight, the architects created a space that is functional, beautiful, and aligned with the needs of its users.
This project shows the powerful impact of thoughtful design and serves as a reminder that filling spaces with natural light can truly enhance everyday life.
Whether for living, working, or learning, integrating daylight into building design offers a pathway to creating brighter, more vibrant spaces that truly meet the needs of their user.
For more information please visit: www.commercial.velux.co.uk
THE ROOFLIGHT ASSOCIATION what a difference a year makes
It’s just over a year now since The Rooflight Association was launched, to broaden the scope and membership of what had previously been NARM –The National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers.
Back in 2023, the decision was taken to open the Association’s membership to include contractors, installers, consultants, distributors and others involved in the rooflight supply chain, as well as the original membership base of manufacturers.
RA Chairman Ian Weakford explains: “We had always described the Association as ‘The Voice of the UK’s Rooflight Industry’. However, there was a growing feeling amongst the membership, myself included, that by only representing manufacturers,
we were in fact representing only part of the industry – and that our goals would be better met by a broader membership base.
The name change and re-brand to The Rooflight Association was the first result of this change.”
Working toward common goals
The past year has seen many subsequent changes, with the focus on achieving greater collaboration between the various different membership groups and the wider roofing industry, to realise common goals:
• best practice across all aspects of rooflighting, from design and throughout the life cycle of installations
• the provision of data and human resources to support legislators and standards bodies
• independent technical information and support for rooflight specifiers, installers and other professionals
• providing support to member companies
Creating a more ‘joined-up’ roofing industry
Since the re-launch last year, the Association’s membership has grown by approximately 25%, with new members representing all membership categories: contractors, installers, distributors, consultants and manufacturers.
Ian Weakford takes up the story: “We’re delighted that the plan is starting to work. Our recent meetings have benefited greatly by input from our more diverse membership base and we are receiving new membership applications at a greater rate than at any time in the Association’s history. This growth will also allow us a greater share of voice in the construction industry, as well as increasing our technical research budget.”
New members, new partnerships
Ian Weakford continued: “An important part of our strategy for a ‘joined-up’ industry, has involved working to build stronger ties with other roofing-related organisations and creating new partnerships. We believe this approach will be key to achieving higher standards and better informed legislation, across the industry. In the past year, we have worked hard to establish new working partnerships, taking the current total to seven.”
Current RA partnerships include:
• LRWA – The liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association
• EUROLUX – Europe’s trade association for Daylighting, Natural Ventilation and Smoke/ Heat Exhaust Systems
• CPA – The Construction Products Association
• ACR – The Advisory Committee for Roofsafety
• MCRMA – The Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association
• GRO – The Green Roof Organisation
• DAYLIGHTING – the specialist publication covering daylighting & rooflights
The Association is currently in talks with other organisations, with a view to further collaborations.
Making a difference, through technical collaboration
The Rooflight Association’s hardworking Technical Committee comprises a number of subcommittees and has representation on external industry working groups.
For example, one such subcommittee led by Technical Chair Paul Smith, is currently working to establish a set of clear guidelines on glazing specification for glass rooflights, particularly in respect of safety issues. Work is also currently being undertaken to update Technical Documents covering thermal regulations.
RA’s Fire sub-group has recently completed updates to technical documents covering the Fire Regulations in respect of rooflights. These include a series of ‘Quickguides’ outlining the regulations for the four devolved nations of the UK.
The Association’s technical library comprises detailed Technical Documents and Quickguides, covering all aspects of rooflight design and specification. These are all freely available on the RA website: an invaluable independent resource for rooflight specifiers.
Over recent years, the Association has commissioned research by independent experts and academics, into various aspects of rooflights and their impact on building performance, energy usage and other factors. In 2024, a new White Paper has been commissioned, covering the effects of natural daylight on human health and wellbeing. This is due for publication before the end of this year.
Contribute to building a brighter future
The Rooflight Association is welcoming new members and encouraging applications from businesses in the rooflight supply chain. ’Tools to build a brighter future’ is the title of The Rooflight Association’s membership prospectus, published in 2023. This reflects the Association’s drive for positive change and improved standards. You’ll find key excerpts from this publication in the special supplement in this issue of Daylighting Magazine.
To find out more about The Rooflight Association and its work, visit: www.rooflightassociation.org
Daylighting Magazine supplement
TOOLS TO BUILD
A BRIGHTER FUTURE
WHY BECOME A ROOFLIGHT ASSOCIATION MEMBER?
We are the trade association representing the UK’s rooflight industry. Our membership is open to rooflight manufacturers, contractors, installers, specifiers, distributors and other rooflight-related businesses and individuals.
Our mission is to support best practice and to ensure growth and sustainability in all sectors of our industry.
Through our Technical Committee, we provide data and human resources to support legislators and standards bodies and we commission independent research if required.
We are the UK’s leading independent resource for technical information for rooflight specifiers, installers and other professionals.
Members enjoy a range of benefits:
• Recognition of high standards of quality and compliance with relevant standards – all members undergo a detailed audit process.
• Member profile page on the Rooflight Association website with a link to your own website.
• Member marketing pack with Rooflight Association logo for use on your own marketing materials.
• Bi-weekly industry news email bulletin.
• Access to technical & legislative information, including early access to changes.
• Networking opportunities with other member organisations, including manufacturers, installers, distributors, specifiers and other parties.
• Access to data from other trade associations.
• Training support and skills development.
• Targetted lobbying to support members.
• Representation on key industry technical/ legislative working groups and committees such as CEN and BSI (seats on WGs and committees available to full members only), providing an opportunity to influence guidance on best practice and future legislation.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
FULL MEMBERSHIP
Full membership is open to manufacturers of rooflights, roof windows & daylight tubes and wholly owned subsidiaries operating in the UK.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Associate membership is open to specialist distributors of rooflighting products, suppliers and manufacturers of rooflight components, raw materials, and ancillary products, and architectural/survey/inspection practices operating in the UK.
Further information and Full Membership application form
https://rooflightassociation.org/become-a-member/full-membership/
CONTRACTOR/INSTALLER MEMBERSHIP
Contractor/Installer membership is open to roofing & building contractors and glazing installation businesses.
Further information and Contractor/ Installer Membership application form
https://rooflightassociation.org/become-a-member/installer-membership/
Further information and Associate Membership application form
https://rooflightassociation.org/become-a-member/associate-membership/
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
Individual Membership is open to specifiers, inspectors and consultants.
https://rooflightassociation.org/become-a-member/individual-membership/
Further information and Individual Membership application form
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Rooflight Association membership brings business benefits, plus opportunities for personal and career development, through closer involvement with your industry and networking with like minded individuals
We welcome active participation in our friendly, inclusive and productive activities – the more you put in, the more you get out!
Regular General Meetings
The Rooflight Association holds 3/4 General Meetings per year. These are open to attendance by representatives of Rooflight Association member companies and individual members. One of these General Meetings per year is held as an inperson event. The others are conducted via video conferencing.
Meetings are run to a set agenda and the duration is generally under two hours. Refreshments and a buffet lunch are provided at in-person meetings
Regular Technical Meetings
Our Technical Committee meets 3/4 times per year, to discuss progress on industry working groups on which committee members sit and to progess
projects which may include research, response to legislation, authoring of technical documents and other related subjects.
Committees and Working Groups
The Rooflight Association Technical and Marketing Committees are are open to membership by representatives of Rooflight Association member companies and individual members.
Full member company representatives may also represent the Association on key external industry technical/legislative working groups and committees such as CEN and BSI, providing an opportunity to influence guidance on best practice and future legislation.
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM is open to attendance by representatives of Rooflight Association member companies and individual members who may wish to discuss governance of the Association or associated topics.
The AGM is held as an in-person event on the same date as , and usually just prior to, the wider in-person General Meeting. This event is followed the same evening by an informal annual dinner for members.
Published by:
The Rooflight Association Ltd
Email: info@rooflightassociation.org www.rooflightassociation.org
ACOUSTIC CONSIDERATIONS for glass in rooflights and skylights by
Glazing Vision
The acoustic performance of rooflights and skylights is driven by whether they are double- or triple-glazed, the size of gap between panes, and the thickness and type of glass used for each of the panes.
If reducing the impact of external noise is a particular consideration for a project, then acoustic glass may be considered.
Double- and triple-glazing uses panes of different thicknesses to reduce ‘sympathetic resonances’ – in other words, the reduction of sound of equal frequencies
Acoustic glass can also be used to prevent noise breakout from inside a building to the environment outside. An example might be a music room in a school.
What is acoustic glass?
While double- and triple-glazed units are designed and specified to provide an acoustic benefit, the term ‘acoustic glass’ refers to the specific inclusion of a pane of laminated glass in the glazed unit.
A laminated pane is two panes of glass bonded together by an interlayer. The way in which the interlayer holds the glass, even if it is broken, means laminated glass is an excellent choice where safety and security are a concern.
The most common interlayer material – PVB, or polyvinyl butyral – also acts to dampen sound. Specific acoustic interlayers are also available, to further improve performance.
A laminated pane with PVB interlayer is thicker than the other standard pane(s) in a double or triple glazed unit. This, combined with the spacing of the panes, acts to disrupt the energy of sound waves passing through the glazed unit and deliver a decibel reduction for the comfort of building users.
What are the benefits of acoustic glass?
The legal limit for work noise is 85 decibels, and average factory noise is at around this level. Any extra reduction over those 35 decibels only adds to the acoustic comfort benefit.
“Because glass follows the mass law of sound transmission, doubling the thickness of a pane reduces sound transmission by 4 to 6 decibels,” explains Jeremy Dunn, Group Technical Director at Glazing Vision. “But it also doubles its weight, so there is a limit to how
thick panes can be before negative impacts on other considerations –like structural support, handling and installation – outweigh the acoustic benefits.”
Is rain noise a problem with rooflights and skylights?
Rain noise is an inevitable result of installing rooflights in a pitched roof or flat roof. Fortunately, the development of highly engineered double- and triple-glazed solutions, and even acoustic glass, has helped to reduce the nuisance of rain noise on roof glazing compared to single glazing.
Arguably, most projects focus on the provision of daylight and a connection with the outside when thinking about rooflight provision. But with climate change bringing more frequent extreme weather events, it increasingly makes sense to think about the acoustic performance of the glazing being specified too.
How to reduce rooflight noise
Alongside the glazing specification, it is possible to specify accessories like blinds or shutters that provide some acoustic benefit as well as offering some solar control options. These options are unlikely to make enough difference on their own though, so the glazing specification should always be the starting point for acoustic performance.
The acoustic performance of a rooflight unit also depends on the quality of its installation and airtightness. Any use of fillers or packers can create gaps.
Air leakage, and the resulting sound transmission, around the whole unit can be addressed by lining the reveals with a sound absorbing material.
Should rooflights meet any regulations or standards for acoustics?
If a project is located within a particularly noisy urban area –especially close to a road or flight path – then there might be a limit to how much external noise can be reduced, even with the specification of other accessories. Both natural and non-natural noise sources can never be eliminated entirely.
As ‘nuisance sound’, noise is a subjective topic. Decibel levels put a useful threshold on defining sound levels, and safe sound levels particularly, but noise is also context specific. What is tolerable to one person might be unbearable to another.
BS 8233:2014 Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction in buildings provides criteria like suitable sleep conditions and noise levels that normally satisfy most building users.
It covers external noise sources but does not differentiate between ‘pleasant’ and ‘unpleasant’ sounds, or psychological factors associated with noise.
Ultimately, the standard aims to provide information that allows buildings of all types to be designed with acoustic environments appropriate to their functions.
It has the status of guidance only, rather than being a code of practice against which claims of compliance can be made.
www.glazingvision.co.uk
HSBC Building (Hong Kong)
In this regular feature we highlight buildings around the world, in which daylight design has made a major contribution.
Designed by the British architect Norman Foster and civil & structural engineers Ove Arup & Partners, the HSBC Building was completed in 1985.
At the time, it was the most expensive building in the world (c.a. HK$5.2 billion, roughly US$668 million).
A notable feature of the design is that natural sunlight is the major source of lighting inside the building. There is a bank of giant mirrors at the top of the atrium, which can reflect natural sunlight into the atrium and hence down into the plaza.
Through the use of natural sunlight, this design helps to conserve energy.
Additionally, sun shades are provided on the external facades to block direct sunlight going into the building and to reduce heat gain.
FILON LIGHTS UP DEEPDALE
Background And Objectives
Preston North End FC recently embarked on a project to replace the ageing GRP translucent sheeting on The Town End Stand at the historic Deepdale Stadium.
The main objectives of replacing the rooflight sheets were to improve the levels of natural daylight into the north facing stand; ensure long-lasting durability; and enhance safety.
Installation & Results
The Filon Supasafe GRP rooflights, supplied through Ash & Lacy to match their 32/1000 metal profiled roof sheet, were installed during a break in fixtures by Manchester based roofing contractor, Environmental Roofing Services.
The new rooflights provide superior strength over standard GRP roof sheets, providing comparable impact resistance and load bearing capabilities to 0.7mm steel sheet; crucial for staff, visitor and maintenance team safety. Additionally, the improved level of natural daylight not only brightened the seating area it also created a more vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
Impact & Benefits
Filon Supasafe is a triple reinforced GRP sheet that incorporates a stitch-woven glass reinforcement layer to provide increased strength and impact resistance. When tested to ACR[M]001, it achieves a Class B non-fragility rating when new and for an expected period of 30 years.
The Supasafe rooflights were manufactured to achieve an SAA, Class 1 fire rating to BS 476 Parts 3 & 7 to provide compliant fire performance for this busy footballing venue.
With improvements in the stand’s safety and ambiance, the enhanced natural lighting has reduced the
need for artificial lighting during events, contributing to energy cost savings and reduced energy consumption. The durability of Filon Supasafe GRP will ensure a safe, well-lit venue for many years to come.
Enhanced Safety
Filon GRP allows natural light into the north facing stand improving visibility and reducing accidents due to poor lighting. Supasafe GRP with Filon’s unique light diffusing additives, which scatter light passing through, provide effective, evenly distributed, diffused daylighting without hotspots or excessive glare, reducing risk of trips or falls.
Supasafe triple reinforced GRP rooflight sheets have high levels of impact resistance and will withstand extreme weather conditions. The
translucent roofing sheets are also highly durable and minimal maintenance is required to ensure long-term safety and functionality.
Conclusion
Thanks to the supply chain selecting Filon as the trusted manufacturer and specifying Supasafe GRP triple reinforced, translucent, rooflight sheets, Preston North End FC have a bright, naturally lit, Town End Stand that will provide a strong and safe roof for many years to come and hopefully see many glorious victories from the Lilywhites!
For more information visit www.filon.co.uk
MEET THE ROOFLIGHT ASSOCIATION AT THE RCI SHOW 2024
The Rooflight Association will be exhibiting again at this year’s RCI Show in Milton Keynes on 24th October 2024.
The Rooflight Association is ‘the voice of the UK’s rooflight industry’ and represents members spanning the complete supply chain: contractors, installers, distributors, specifiers, consultants and of course, rooflight manufacturers.
Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to find out more about the benefits of Rooflight Association membership, as well as its current work and future plans.
Copies of the Association’s comprehensive Membership Prospectus entitled ‘Tools to Build a Brighter Future’ will be available on the stand, giving full details for prospective members.
Chairman Ian Weakford said: “We’re delighted to confirm our presence again at this year’s RCI Show.
This event provides a great opportunity for us to continue building new relationships within the roofing sector.
Since last year’s show, The Rooflight Association has welcomed a number of new members and forged exciting new partnerships with other trade bodies.
We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand. There will be lots to talk about!.”
Register now for your FREE ticket and join The Rooflight Association on Stand 4. www.rcishow.co.uk
For more information about The Rooflight Association’s missions and membership benefits, visit: https://rooflightassociation.org/
CPA WELCOMES THE PUBLICATION OF THE GRENFELL TOWER INQUIRY FINAL REPORT
Following the long-awaited publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report, on September 4th the CPA (Construction Products Association) issued the following statement:
“Today’s publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report is a landmark moment in the history and future of the UK construction industry. As expected, it also raises critical issues relating to construction products. The Inquiry’s findings make clear that the tragedy was wholly avoidable, but for a failure in culture, practice and competence.
We acknowledge and agree with these findings, and again extend our sympathies to the families and wider Grenfell community.
Many of these issues identified by the Inquiry have also been highlighted previously by the: Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (led by Dame Judith Hackitt) and the: Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime (led by Paul Morrell OBE and Annelise Day KC).
The recommendations from all these reports provide a clear picture about what needs to change in the industry.
They also reflect the guiding principles that have shaped the CPA’s work since the Grenfell tragedy over seven years ago, and we have accepted them all.
We continue to work closely with manufacturers, government, the regulators and industry to develop and introduce new standards and legislation that will drive reform.
This is not job done. The Inquiry report is the most powerful reminder, if we needed one, that we must double-down on safety. The CPA is committed to continuing this important work.”
www.constructionproducts.org.uk
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