What specifiers need to know about installing roof windows and rooflights Back to all blogs | Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials The benefits of specifying roof windows and rooflights are clear: they provide high levels of natural light, they can be wonderful sources of ventilation, and they contribute to the thermal comfort of a building. Roof windows and rooflights also provide an aesthetically pleasing addition to the external appearance of a property. But what else should you consider to ensure the specification runs smoothly once it gets to site? Roof windows and rooflights are generally easy to install, but knowing what to expect can help to ensure things go smoothly. Glazing Vision recently spoke to Clarkson Builders about how to ensure proper specification and keep work on-site progressing as expected. Here are the things they recommend specifiers should be aware of: Window size Roof windows and rooflights come in an array of shapes and sizes, and choosing the right dimensions for your project is critical. The ‘standard’ for roof windows is 900x600mm, and these are installed between rafters at 600mm centres. Other common sizes are 980x980mm and 900x1200mm – the latter is designed to fit in a double-rafter space. They can also be provided in much larger sizes – for example, Glazing Vision Fixed Flushglaze windows can measure up to 4000 x 1500mm. Structural support The most effective way of supporting a roof window is to use double trimmers for horizontal support and double rafters for vertical support. Double hangers are placed in each corner, and single hangers are located around connected rafters. The double supports comprise two pieces of rafter timber with 600mm centres (either C16 or C24 between 100x50mm or 225x50mm, depending on specification and structural calculations). The rafters should be fixed together with bulldog timber connectors and M12 bolts. When fixing the timber, the head of the bolt should be recessed on the side of the wood to which the rooflight will be fixed. Otherwise, it could protrude into the area beneath the glazing. As with all structural requirements, relevant calculations should be carried out by a qualified structural engineer. Preparing the window aperture Remember that the size of the window aperture may not be the size of the window itself. The actual requirements will depend on the individual roof window, so be sure to consult the installation guide early in the planning stages. When preparing the rafters, consider how elements like the insulation sarking and the ends of the battens will be supported. The roofing underlay should be folded back and fixed appropriately. Other elements will also need to be added to the roof, such as tilting fillets, battens and flashing. Out-of-plane rooflights will also require the construction of a window kerb.
Anti slip glass for walk on rooflights Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials Untreated glass may become slippery, especially in wet conditions. On a particulier roof terrace that is not always necessary a problem, as it won’t be used much during bad weather. In public spaces this is different though. Fortunately there are different ways to ensure that glass will dry more... Read more
Neat finishing of the rooflight with the Kerb Top Trim finishing profile Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials When placing a rooflight or roof access hatch, of course you want the finishing to be proper on all fronts. One of the options when ordering a rooflight or roof access hatch, is the so-called ‘Kerb Top Trim’. Our customer often ask us what this is exactly and what... Read more
Easy installation Flushglaze Rooflight Step by step Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials Install a flat dome light yourself, is that a complicated task? It is not as hard as it may seem. Please find below a step-by-step description of how a (walkon) rooflight can be placed in the roof. Read more
In the spotlight: rooftop access Amsterdam Loft Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration In this article we show you how a hinged access rooflight is applied in an old school. It brings light into the loft and makes the roof accessible. Read more
Daylight Award for ‘House 20×3’ in Zierikzee with rooflight Glazing Vision Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration, News Tim de Graag wins Daylight Award with transformation of 3 metre wide national monument. The young architect Tim de Graag won the Daylight Award 2016 in the category below 1000 m2, with the project 20×3. A Glazing Vision rooflight helps you to return daylight into the narrow, long building. Read more
How does non-fragility affect glass rooflight specification (in the UK)? Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials When it comes to the design and performance of glass rooflights, it’s usually aesthetics and thermal performance that are top of the list of specification considerations. However, the performance of the rooflight for safety, as an overall part of the roof, is another important factor. It is important to... Read more
How access rooflights can transform a living space Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration It’s easy to see why outdoor spaces are so highly desired among potential homebuyers. However, with space often at a premium, architects, designers and house builders are looking for creative ways to provide this luxury living space. This is where access box rooflights can provide an excellent solution. Outdoor... Read more
Inspiration: Sliding Box at the Polish riviera Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration The roof terrace on this luxurious appartment in Sopot (Poland) can be stylishly accessed by use of a Sliding Box. Read more
Tailor-made sliding rooflight above impressive stairwell in Chelsea Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration In this article we show you how a sliding rooflight is applied on the roof terrace of a Victorian family home in Chelsea, London. Read more
Walkon glass against a wall or facade Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials We are asked often about the best way to integrate walkon glass or a rooflight into the (roof) terrace or on the roof. Read more
Inspiration: projects from across the world Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration Need inspiration? In this article we will take you to different wonderful projects of recent years. Read more
Historic building in Antwerp: prominent town houses with roof terrace Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration In this article you can read how a hinged access rooflight provides access to the beautiful roof terrace in the centre of Antwerp. It is a dream: living in a wonderful historic building in the heart of Antwerp, and at the same time enjoying the tranquillity and space in... Read more
Transformation of a Dutch roof terrace with walk on rooflights Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration ‘Walkon glass, that must be incredibly expensive?’ Well, to produce glass as walkon design, it must be strong. Extra thick and laminated. That is what makes walkon glass more expensive than glass of a rooflight. Read more
Impressive modular rooflight in new extension of church Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration Adrian James Architects were appointed to create a new front extension of this church in north Oxford. The extension creates a new threshold for the church, encompassing a large multipart Flushglaze fixed rooflight from Glazing Vision. The frameless rooflight works to fill the entrance lobby with natural daylight and... Read more
The Glass house: sliding roof for an open kitchen Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration The top floor kitchen of the Glass house features a Glazing Vision opening rooflight on a flat roof to ensure maximum daylight and ventilation, whilst adding to the minimalist nature of the building design. The site on Swains Lane is situated on the very edge of a historic Victorian... Read more
Superlofts wins prize Glazing Vision Europe | News Superlofts Blok Y in Utrecht is Residential Building of the year 2018. Mark Koehler Architects won this prize, awarded by the Branch association Dutch Architectural firms (BNA). Read more
Sliding Box: roof terrace access compared Glazing Vision Europe | News, Tutorials With the Sliding Box, Glazing Vision offers the most luxurious and comfortable access to your roof terrace. But what makes a Sliding Box different from a roof access hatch and what are the possibilities? In this article we list everything and provide a lot of inspiration by showing different... Read more
Inspiration: Eiffel building Maastricht gets lofts with roof terrace Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration In this article you can read how the Freestanding Box is applied as an access to the roof terrace. Read more
Duin Huis on Martha’s Vineyard, with a Sliding box as a roof terrace entrance Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration Hutker Architects designed the Duin Huis on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Read more
Walkon glass on the street brings light into The Bartlett School of Architecture Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration For architects in training, to design a building, that is a challenge. Redeveloping an old, dark building into an inspiring space, that is even more of a challenge. Read more
7 Ideas for inspiration: how to apply walkon glass? Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration Walkon glass, how to apply it? From different smaller panels a roof terrace, up to a ceiling made entirely out of glass. Read more
How a rooflight brings abundant daylight into the kitchen extension Glazing Vision Europe | Inspiration How can one see to it, by use of a rooflight, that a kitchen extension is a light and spacious expansion of the living space? Read more
Glass specification explained: double, triple and laminated glass Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials When buying a glass roof access hatch or rooflight, you want the highest glass quality. Read more
Walkon glass laid flush with the roof terrace floor Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials Walkon glass is preferably applied as flush as possible with the floor. But how is that done, while also monitoring the water tightness? This article shows all do’s and don’ts. Read more
Installation: do it yourself or have it done? Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials Do you want to be sure of a quick and expert installation of your rooflight and extend the warranty to 10 years? Then make use of our certified installation team. But you can also choose to install the products yourself. Just to be clear, we created a summary below. Read more
Roof access hatches compared: the possibilities for roof terrace and roof garden Glazing Vision Europe | Tutorials If you are facing the choice what roof access hatch best fits your wishes, there are two possibilities: hinged and sliding. Read more
Dutch Roof Design new dealer for Glazing Vision Glazing Vision Europe | News Dutch Roof Design is now a proud dealer of Glazing Vision’s beautiful products. With their in-depth knowledge of the Dutch and Belgian markets for ‘living roofs,’ the daylight consultants are well-equipped to recommend the perfect solution for each project. Dutch Roof Design: Experts in Daylight Solutions and Roof Access... Read more