FAQs

As a company founded by an architect, we are unique in understanding the wants and needs of architects. We appreciate the importance of aesthetics which is why our ranges are designed to complement a building’s design and provide an unobtrusive finish when compared with other options on the market. You only need to look at ours to tell the difference.

All our ranges are made from mild steel and aluminum which means they are extremely robust and have a long life span. Another advantage of using steel means that frames can be moulded into a variety of shapes, allowing the Rooflight Company to work with architects and specifiers on the most complicated of shapes and sizes.

As a British manufacturing company we design and assemble all our roof windows and rooflights at our Oxfordshire factory. We are proud to be part of the British manufacturing industry.

A G-Value measures the amount of solar transmittance (or heat) that enters through the glass. Solar heat gain can be beneficial in the winter, as it reduces the need for heating, but in the summer can cause overheating. Typically G-values will range between 0.2 and 0.7, with solar control glazing often having a G-value of less than 0.5. Specialist coatings can be applied to the glass to reduce the amount of heat gained in a building.

G-Values are becoming increasingly important as we use more and more glass in building construction to maximise natural light. Whilst the inclusion of natural light is a critical part of designing modern buildings (or renovating heritage buildings), any great design should also factor in solar gain to ensure that a room will not overheat and can manage temperatures in a suitable and energy-efficient way.

CE marking is a manufacturer’s declaration that an individual product conforms to the stated European harmonised standard(s) as directed under specific mandates from the EU, prepared by the European Standardisation Committee (CEN). CE marking is not a quality mark nor does it imply conformity with national building regulations/codes.

The below roof window ranges are CE Marked:

• The Conservation Rooflight®
• The Conservation Egress Rooflight
• The Conservation Studio Designer Rooflight
• neo®
• The neo® Studio Designer Rooflight
• The Conservation Plateau Rooflight

The terms ‘roof window’ and a ‘rooflight’ are often interchanged. At the Rooflight Company we use ‘rooflight’ as an umbrella term for all of our ranges which provide natural top-lighting. However, in accordance with EN 12519:2004 – Windows and pedestrian doors – terminology, a European standardisation definition for ‘roof window’ is show below.

“[A] window intended for installation in a roof or the like which is inclined. Roof windows have the same characteristics as windows installed in walls with regard to function, cleaning, maintenance and durability.”

If the products’ intended end-use application has the same characteristics as a window, and the product is installed at an inclination; then that product can be considered a roof window according to the definition within EN 12519:2004.
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The definition of ‘rooflight’ is not contained within EN 12519:2004. ‘Rooflights’ themselves can take numerous forms from pitched pyramidal structures to horizontal units capable of being walked-on. It is within the scope at the beginning of each harmonised European standard that the definition and intended application for the ‘rooflight’ type is confirmed.

Details:
1.-Exception: Where the replacement windows are unable to meet the requirements because of the need to maintain the external appearance of the façade or the character of the building, replacement windows should meet a centre pane U-value of 1.2 W/m2K.

2.-Exemption: Buildings which are; Listed in accordance with section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990; In a conservation area designated in accordance with section 69 of that Act; or Included in the schedule of monuments maintained under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979; Carports.
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3.-Exemption: Buildings which are; Listed in accordance with section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990; In a conservation area designated in accordance with section 69 of that Act; or Included in the schedule of monuments maintained under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979; Used primarily or solely used as places of worship; Stand alone buildings with floor area less than 50m2; Carports; Temporary building with a planned time of use less than 2 years.

Yes. As the ranges fall within the building regulations requirement it can be used without complex heat loss calculations, as long as the area of windows, doors and rooflights to an extension or new building is no greater than 25% of the total floor area. This proportion can be increased but a more complex ‘balancing’ calculation between the areas and U-values of the floor, walls, roof and windows/doors/rooflights would be required to show compliance with the Regulations.

Lower U-values in some elements can be used to balance higher U-values in others, or permit an increase in the area of windows/doors.

Yes, our roof windows and rooflights comply with the latest Part L building regulations.

Please use the tables below for the guarantees offered by the Rooflight Company (terms and conditions apply).

Our steel rooflights and roof windows are guaranteed for 12 months in accordance with our Terms and Conditions. Upon product registration with us, this guarantee can be extended as set out below, provided that the appropriate products have been installed to suit their location and that these are regularly maintained, with these actions recorded in accordance with our maintenance instructions. Please see our Terms and Conditions for further details.

• Mild steel frame: 10 years**
• Stainless steel frame 10 years**
• Mild steel frame pre-treated with a hot zinc spray:
• 10 years (over 5km from the sea)
• OR 6 years (within 5km of the sea)
• Glazing unit & silicone: 5 years
• Ancillary items: 1 year (Such as ironmongery, gas struts, motors & controls)

*subject to Terms and Conditions
**subject to installed location and maintenance.

Operations & Maintenance Manuals

Terms & Conditions

Each rooflight size and type has a different weight. The weights of each model can be found on the back of the installation manuals.

All our roof windows for pitched roofs are supported directly on, and fixed to, roof joists. The sizing and spacing of roof joists is frequently a matter of what is given by the existing structure in instances where rooflights are installed to existing roofs. In new roofs the roof joists can be optimised or placed so as to facilitate ease of rooflight installation. In all instances the sizing of the roof joists to support roof windows should be advised by, or checked with, a structural consultant such as structural engineer. Flat rooflights are supported on up-stand kerbs.

For information about Rooflight please click here to contact us.

If the roof window or rooflight you would like falls outside of the pitches above please contact our customer services team on 01993 833108 who will be able to advise you.

When supplying a customer with a quote our technically-trained team quote using the structural widths and lengths. The structural dimension is the clear opening that is required within the roof structure in order to install your roof window or rooflight.

Our neo Advance Flat Roof range reference the finished external kerb. These dimensions are the overall external dimensions of the kerb upstand, including the roof finish.

ROOFLIGHTS

DECLARATION OF PERFORMANCE COPY

If you require another copy of the declaration of performance for the rooflight you have bought please contact our customer services team on 01993 833108 quoting the product serial number.