In order to extend the living space in your property you may consider an extension however you could be faced with a lack of natural light in the new area for example if you are unable to install a window into a new wall or if you are converting part of your garage to extend your kitchen. The costs of any extension can increase if extra double-glazed windows need to be installed but there is a solution to this problem namely installing a roof light.

The main consideration when installing a roof light in a roof is that it is adequately sealed to avoid any leaks due to rainwater and damage to the interior of the property. When installing the unit, the enclosed fitting instructions should be followed to ensure that the roof light is correctly fitted and sealed. Scaffolding may be required so If you do not feel competent to install the roof light yourself a reputable builder should be able to install the roof light for a reasonable cost.

A concern for some people is how to clean the roof light but recent developments in self-cleaning glass means that this is not the problem it used to be and should not prevent you from installing this feature in your new extension to bring in that natural light.

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.

Having a pitched roof can have many advantages over a flat roof but this does often come with a higher price tag. While flat roofs can be built to accommodate foot traffic, pitched roofs can be converted to add a substantial amount of extra living space inside. Within a pitched room you can create an attic or even a spare room. This can give you the much-needed space you need and even add value to the property.

Pitched roofs are often more durable than flat roofs and usual last a long time. Due to their design, pitched roofs are also more reliable when it comes to drainage, with water naturally channelled into downpipes and guttering. There is far less chance of water and other weather conditions entering your roof space with a pitched roof.

The price of a pitched roof is always more expensive than some other roof designs and often does require regular maintenance. There are a number of different types of pitched roofs, the Double-Pitched roof is the most common design for roofs that have a pitch. This design can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. A mono-pitched roof usually has a pitch which is lower than the height of the ceiling.

Many houses that were built in the twentieth century have a flat roof on some part of the property usually on extensions and garages because it was less expensive to erect a flat roof than a pitched one, so what if any are the implications of changing a flat roof to a pitched roof?As long as the flat roof is well constructed and the roofing material that has been used is of good quality then there should be no major issues for up to ten years however most people find that older flat roofs begin to leak as the roofing material deteriorates over time. Special rubberised roof coverings can be used however that are guaranteed for up to twenty-five years, but they are quite costly.The main advantage of a pitched roof is that once constructed it could be trouble free for far longer than a flat roof and will not usually need further attention unless any roof tiles are lost. Another advantage is that an internal loft space is created which can be utilised for extra storage.A pitched roof on an extension is more aesthetically pleasing because it looks as if the extended portion of the property was built with the original house rather than added at a later date.

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.

A rooflight is a versatile feature, bringing in additional natural light and helping to change the appearance of any room in the home. With the modern design and construction of rooflights, it’s possible to choose an option for many different settings, whether you need more light in the kitchen or you are looking for additional ventilation in the bathroom. You can browse the different styles of rooflights on any good rooflight supplier’s website, getting familiar with how they look and what they can offer you.

Rooflights can be personalised in many ways too, from the colour and material of the frame, to the glazing that’s used. You can choose from glass and polycarbonate, and these can also have different effects, such as bronze, or a solar covering to reduce glare. Whatever you want to achieve with your property, you will be able to get find it in a modern-day rooflight.

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.

Rooflights have been around for many years and can bring light, spaciousness and a better ambience into a room. However, they can also let in lots of cold air along with all that extra natural light, making them bad for saving energy. In the modern day home where everyone is trying to save energy and reduce electricity and gas usage, this is a major flaw in their design. It’s advisable to get old rooflights replaced to overcome this problem.

If you have a rooflight that is old and ill fitting, then it might even let in rainwater and start to leak. You should look to get this replaced as soon as possible. Replacing an old rooflight will be one of the best decisions you can make, allowing you to have a better quality of light – and to reduce your carbon footprint as you reduce your reliance on electricity and central heating.