Roof lights are openings on the roof which allow the penetration of light into the house. Various types of roof lights are available in the market and vary according to design, way of operation, and the raw material used in their manufacture and where to be installed among other factors. The following are examples and explanations of some of the lights:-

Fixed lights

This type is designed to impress and was originally created with the intention of reaching the high end market. Fixed lights are stylish and are usually fixed (one place) unlike other categories which are available in the market. The category is specifically designed so as to give a low external frame thus allowing light into the house. In terms of security, the lights are fitted with a thermally efficient glaze unit hence safer and efficient. This is because safety is the number one factor when considering such kind of lights. The inner part of the light has a laminated pane which not only adds up to the efficiency of the light but also safety of the light. The panes are made in such a way that they stay together when broken as opposed to toughened glass. This is an important aspect since when the lights are broken they do not scatter all over the place hence easier to tidy up whenever they are shattered.  Continue reading →

A fibre glass roof will require no maintenance whatsoever, and that’s why many people decide to use this system for their garage. The good thing with this system is that it can essentially be moulded into any shape, so if your garage roof is not completely flat without obstructions, it doesn’t matter.

This system is wet laid, and it can be installed relatively quickly, while many roofing contractors use it to carry out repairs. There are also no glued joints and the entire roof can be completed using one continuous piece of GRP. This system sis clear to see on many properties throughout the UK, and you are able to choose whether you want it to be non-slip. It’s a system used on commercial and residential properties, and it’s the perfect finish to a garage.

Aluminium roofing systems, although not quite new in the UK market, have always been among the top-rated and well-recommended not only by experts but also by ordinary individuals. The system has been in the market for over 50 years now but with innovative designs and technological revolution, it has reached a higher level and has continued to be very popular in several regions across UK. For roofing needs on conservatories, loggia extensions and orangeries, home designers recommend Aluminium roofing systems.

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Cladding is a process of protecting an underlying structure by piling up pieces of materials over another for better skin or layer control. It protects walls from harmful elements such as wind, rain and frost, which destroy hundreds of houses and buildings each year. If you want to secure your investment, it is important to apply commercial cladding. This will not only enhance your structure’s safety but will also increase the protection of your investment.

How Commercial Cladding Works

Cladding can be interior or exterior. It is done by putting another layer to the outside walls for better insulation, preventing structural damage and defending underneath brickwork. The added protection will also result to less maintenance such as re-pointing, plastering, and painting. The cladding will support any commercial structure by providing extreme level of versatility in design and durability. Continue reading →

While flat-roofs have become more and more popular among home-owners throughout the UK, many of them have since become aware of flaws in the design structure.

Flat-roofs, while great in many ways, are certainly less effective at negating water damage than a traditional pitched-roof structure. Pitched-roofs are highly effective at negating any water contact, as they are designed to have the water roll straight off the tiles of the roof, while with a flat-roof, puddles can begin to form on the surface.

Standing pools of water can be very damaging to the materials roofs are typically made of; reducing the lifespan of any flat-roof to below the point where having one in the first place is worthwhile.

Thankfully, over the last decade, chemists have been tackling this issue, and have come up with a variety of materials and substances which are far more at water-proofing a surface than anything that was previously available. You should be able to easily apply such a material to your flat roof, giving you a roof which will have a far longer lifespan.

A modern way to extend your home is to create and extension into the back garden is with glass and metal (usually steel). And no, we do not mean a conservatory.
There are many modern buildings being erected with the exterior made completely of glass, but we think this may a bit much, however to create a nice ambience in a dining room, we think that this would be perfect for a glass room extension. You can even feel like you’re enjoying an alfresco dining experience.

When it comes to selecting the material for the extension and the roof, you could use either glass or fiberglass (which we discussed in an earlier post).  Both have their benefits.
If you chose glass and have a larger budget, you could consider “smart glass” (otherwise known as privacy glass) which becomes like frosted glass when the current being passed through it is switched off. This could be a great option for your roof if you have nosey neighbours overlooking you!

When you have a flat roofed building, something to strongly consider is having a skylight. You can have a skylight in a normal shaped roof, however, having a flat roof can give you an advantage of space! A flat roof will normally mean you have a lot of space, you could even consider making most of the roof glass, opening up your room and letting the light in.
You have two main considerations, plastic or glass?

If you are having a large window and it is a way of naturally lighting your room, we would strongly suggest to go for the more expensive option being glass. Glass made for skylights is being made to have more durable qualities, it can also be laminated or tempered to increase its strength.
Unlike with plastic which can discolour over time or even warp. Plastic also allows ultraviolet rays in from the sun which can fade your furniture and can also damage your skin. (To stop this it must be coated in a special film, however this does not stop it from warping and basically being less durable.)

You will easily find flat roofs all over the world and each area will have its own preference or tradition for the materials used. In locations that the roof could become covered by rain or are at risk of water seeping into the brickwork where it could freeze, flat roofs are not as suitable. Modern materials have found a way around this hence the use of GRP as we discussed previously. However, in warmer climates, where conditions tend to be hot and dry, these flat roofs are simply built from concrete or masonry. These are cheap options and are also good at keeping the heat of the sun from the building. You will usually find these styles throughout the history of Egyptian, Arabian, and Persian architecture. In warmer climates flat roofs tend to be more reinforced and used as additional living space or even converted to a roof terrace garden.

Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) otherwise known as Fiberglass is a mixture of polyester resin with glass reinforcing it. This is then coated with a polyester topcoat. The fibres of glass (which are very fine) help strengthen the plastic, which is where the name “fibreglass” originates. Fiberglass has a variety of uses and has been used in a variety of industries for over half a century! It can be applied to stairs, walls, walkways, skylights and many more things! It is great value as it doesn’t require maintenance. It is also very simple to extend or repair should you want/need to do any work on it. It lasts up to three times longer than felt and looks a lot sleeker, because of this you will usually get a guarantee which can be up to 30 years from the date of installation. It is a great cost-effective way to protect your property from rain and the other elements.

Asbestos has gone out of fashion within the building community, and for good reason. Over recent decades, we’ve seen increasing evidence of the negative health related repercussions which those whom worked with the material experienced. Cancer is a big issue among those who worked with the material. Residents of the buildings with asbestos roofs are also at risk, although to a lesser extent. The reason why asbestos is so bad for you, besides that it is toxic, is that it can break down into dust very easily, and once it has done so, it can easily enter the longs and begin to mutate the cells within your lungs, creating a high risk of cancer.

Due to all of this, asbestos removal is a very stringently monitored activity. The highest level of safety precautions need to be observed, to ensure the health of the builders working on-site, and for the health of those living and working in the surrounding area.

In order to remove asbestos, the workers need to be outfitted with overalls and face masks, so that they neither transfer or inhale any particles. The second big precaution is to erect a tent around the site, so that no particles of asbestos can be transferred to the surrounding area. Lastly, and extensive cleaning operation needs to take place, so that no dangerous materials are left behind.