Homeowners can lean towards rooflights because they know they will look great in their home. The practicality of them, though, can halt the process of installing a rooflight if there are concerns about how it will look and how it will work. Fixed flat rooflights are both practical and stylish, meeting all the needs of any homeowner who may want to install them. They are perfect for the domestic market, simply because they look so good; the combination of a flat glass design and a modern frame that sits close to the roof is a winning option. Those good looks do not overcompensate for anything, though, and it is in fact possible to get everything you need from a flat fixed rooflight as well, without having to break the bank.

Fixed flat glass rooflights are highly popular. The fixed flat glass design means that the rooflight does not open, which makes it a highly secure design. It will instead remain closed once installed, sitting neatly in the roof space while carrying out its essential function: letting light into any space. Glass is better than polycarbonate in that the quality of daylight will be better – it will almost feel like it is sparkling as it pours through the rooflight and into the room, bathing it in natural daylight. Glass rooflights are also better than vertical windows, in that they will let in so much more natural light and will give the room a much more refreshing aesthetic.

It can be difficult as a homeowner to strike the perfect balance between style and practicality. If a rooflight is stylish, it may not be practical. If a rooflight is practical, though, it may not be the best look for a home. Rooflight technology has come a long way and a flat glass rooflight design is the perfect approach to take, as it will be safe, secure, attractive and aesthetic boosting in its entirely. Always look at the brand of the rooflight and consider taking a look at their reviews as well. This will help to give an indication of how happy other customers are with the very same rooflight that you considering.

If your rooflight is in a space with windows, bi fold doors or similar, there will be absolutely no need for them to be hinged. You will be able to look up into the sky and enjoy the lovely views, without the worry of the rooflight breaking, of rain coming in, or any of the other factors that could influence its longevity. You will be able to use other natural ventilation methods instead, such as opening a window or propping open a door. Rooflights might also be placed into very high ceilings, in which case a flat fixed rooflight may not be the best choice. However, with this stylish product, a lot can change once it is installed. Think carefully about whether the aesthetics of a flat fixed rooflight appeal to you, or whether you would prefer to have something more functional like an access hatch.

Looking for roofers in Northampton is not just as easy as calling up a local roofing company and asking them to fix your problem, or put on a new roof. It might be easier if you have worked with a particular roofing company before, but often, the first time working with a particular company will be trial and error and there will be a lot that can go wrong, or change along the way. This is more likely to happen if you use the wrong roofing company, so it is important you find the ideal roofers for your project and that they are used to dealing with the kind of roof that you have.

All roofers will have their own areas of expertise, as with any trade. Some roofers will be roofing contractors, working on large projects for commercial clients with enormous budgets. Some will be specialists in flat roofing, with a good understanding of how to fit and repair them as necessary. Even within the field of flat roofing there might be other types of roofing that a contractor knows about best, like GRP, EPDM or RBMs. All of these will be useful for different types of roofs and customers, but they won’t all be suitable for your type of roof. Make sure you are clear on exactly what a roofing contractor can do for you before exploring your options with them further.

What to ask your roofing contractor in Northampton

So you’ve found a roofing contractor you would like to use for your project – what kinds of questions can you ask them to make sure they are competent and will be able to do the job properly? Here are some ideas.

• How long have you been in business? It is worthwhile asking a roofing contractor how long they have been doing what they do, which might include running a roofing business or working for a roofing company as applicable. This is just a way of guaging the experience of the contractor. It isn’t necessarily bad if they are quote new to roofing. Just make sure they have had appropriate training in installing and repairing roofs, and don’t be shy of asking about qualifications.
• Do you work with my type of roofing? Make sure they work with your type of roofing and if you need a flat roof repair, check if they do this, rather than just fitting brand new roofs. Each roofer works differently so no question is a silly question.
• Where are you based? If you are based in Northampton or Northamptonshire it is usually more cost effective to choose a local roofer for your project, who can get materials locally and will not have too far to travel. Many good roofers are based in the area so if you know what you are looking for, you can easily begin to make your enquiries and find a skilled, knowledgeable, highly experienced and local Northampton roofer. A skilled professional is worth the financial investment and can ensure roofs will last longer.

Homes are changing, with modern, open plan living becoming the norm and demands for more natural light and brightness taking precedence over other design features. Architects use flat glass skylights to introduce more natural light into buildings and create the modern, coveted aesthetic; many new builds, or homes that have extensions, now use this type of skylight as part of the structure. No two properties are the same, so architects are best placed to choose the correct size, type and positioning of the skylight, though the homeowner and end user may also want to specify some of the features they would like – there are lots available.

As a property owner or as an architect, it is therefore very beneficial to know about and understand the different flat glass rooflight and skylight options and to pick and choose between them, based on either your client’s preferences, or your lifestyle and the ways in which you want to use your home. Skylights are very versatile and can often be fitted into both flat and pitched roofs, so whatever you are looking for, there will be an option for you. For example, if appearance is your primary concern, there will be rooflights that provide wonderful sky views and that look ultra modern. If you need more ventilation in an area such as a kitchen or a bathroom, there are options for this too.

The different flat glass skylight options you can pick

These are some of the most popular and widely bought types of flat glass skylight on the market that will allow you to customise and personalise a space:

Flat fixed glass skylights

These are fixed skylight units that do not open; they sit flat to the roof and have a low profile, making them subtle, modern and stylish. They are a very popular option for flat roof extensions to let in more light whilst also creating a highly desirable appearance; the rooflight frame tends to be made of aluminium and comes in various RAL colours to help when styling a home. Modern colours such as anthracite are often chosen and will complement virtually any interior design features, as well as looking attractive from the outside in. 

Hinged flat glass skylights

This type of skylight is very similar to a fixed flat glass skylight but with the addition of a hinged opening mechanism as well. They can be opened manually or automatically – different options are available with different brands and types of skylight.

Walk-on glass skylights

Made with strong reinforced glass, walk-on skylights can be used on balconies, verandas and in other outdoor spaces with foot traffic, where there is a room underneath. They are very safe thanks to the strength of the glass and they are flush with the flooring, avoiding trip hazards.

Multi-part flat glass skylights

For larger roof areas, multi-part flat glass skylights can reduce the cost and effort of installing lots of skylights. There are simple and innovative options available with a modular construction to make installation easier.

Choosing a rooflight is an opportunity to choose something that will make a big aesthetic difference to your house. You will have various options to choose from, including the shape of the rooflight you are going to pick. The majority of rooflights are square or rectangular in shape but if you want to choose something different, round rooflights are available too.

You should choose rooflights based on your own personal preferences, but they need to be practical and to fit into the allocated space as well. If you are interested in having something more unusual like a round rooflight, check the measurements and also see how much light you can expect it to let in. You want to get the aesthetic result you are looking for but equally, you need to know that a rooflight is going to do its job in letting in enough natural light to make its installation worthwhile.

As a contractor or building professional, you might quite often be asked to source products for your customers. Rooflights are common products that they may ask for, but equally, they can be difficult to choose. It’s always best that you choose rooflights in conjunction with your customers so they know exactly what they are getting. It’s too big a decision for you to make on your own.

If you’re customers want some advice, by all means offer opinions about the kinds of rooflights that would work best. It might be best to point them in the direction of a rooflight company that has the kinds of products you’d recommend, so they can look at them in detail and really understand the different options. You will get an idea of whether they like the options you are putting forward, and if they see something else they like, you can advise on whether they would be practical.

If you want to bring more natural light into a home, or you are an architect working out how to make buildings beautiful, then rooflights could be the ideal option. They are a popular architectural feature, used on buildings of all kinds in the UK. In this kind of climate, where daylight is sometimes not all that long lasting and people can feel a bit miserable about the dark and the wet weather conditions, it is a good idea to use rooflights to make the most of the light that we do get.

One of the best things about rooflights is that there are so many different types, making them highly versatile. Here are some of the most popular types of rooflight you can install:

Flat glass rooflights 

These are premium rooflights that are designed to sit close to the surface of the roof. They are modern in their design and look quite contemporary, meaning that they are often used on modern house extensions and over areas such as a swimming pool area in a modern home. Their flat surface means that there is plenty of surface area for daylight to come in, bringing in more light than other kinds of rooflights.

Roof domes 

These are often polycarbonate, as opposed to glass. They tend to be used on commercial and industrial buildings to make the atmosphere inside more pleasant, rather than on a home. However, they could very well be used on something like a home office. They will usually come in at a fairly low price point, making them a more affordable style of rooflight.

Roof pyramids 

As the name may suggest, a roof pyramid consists of a glass pyramid construction. This is a decorative type of rooflight that might be used on top of a conservatory or an extension. Equally, they may be used on commercial buildings like shopping centres or office buildings, as they can come in various sizes.

Roof lanterns 

A roof lantern is a large rooflight that is usually a pyramid shape, with sloping sides. It is designed to be large and to bring in a lot of light – and to look beautiful as well. It is the type of rooflight that is used on top of a conservatory or orangery traditionally, though it can also be used on top of an extension to bring in the maximum amounts of light.

Barrel vault

A roof barrel is a type of domed rooflight that stretches across the whole of a building. It is a way of bringing in lots of light, and it is not especially expensive so it is a good way of bringing in as much light as is possible. You will be able to get a lot of light from a barrel vault because of its sheer size.

If you can’t find the exact kind of rooflight you want, you may be able to get a rooflight that is custom made. There will be lots of different types of rooflight available so check with the suppliers thoroughly beforehand.

A conservatory is never going to be complete without a rooflight or roof lantern. It will ensure that the entire room is light and airy, giving it the feeling of bringing the outdoors inside. More often than not, a conservatory will have a roof lantern that will allow plenty of light to penetrate. This gives a conservatory the typical look and feel you would expect, providing a large, decorative roof that gives beautiful panoramic views outwards.

You could also opt for a flat glass rooflight or another type of skylight. However, this is usually not advisable if you want your new conservatory to have excellent aesthetic qualities. A flat glass rooflight would be better fitted into a flat roof on an extension.

Look at the options available for roof lanterns – some will be more ornate than others. You will be able to find something that matches the preferred aesthetic for your conservatory.

Roofs come in many different shapes and sizes. Flat, pitched, glass, GRP, fibreglass… the options are endless. Here are some roof types that will work well for homes and businesses wanting to remain robust in the harsh British climate:

• Bonnet roofs. These have a steeper upper slop and less sloping in the lower part, offering a kind of porch construction. They can be seen as old fashioned but work well on period homes.
• Box gable roofs. The roof slopes at the sides and meets in a triangle on top. This design will withstand rain and snow very well.
• Flat roof. Used on modern and commercial buildings, flat roofs incorporate a very small slope to prevent water buildup.
• Dormer. These can be built into a traditional pitched roof to create an additional window, usually when there is a loft room.
• Simple hip roof. All four sides a symmetrical with vertical sides or gables.