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How to Choose Glazing for a Flat-roof Extension
Discover the practical and aesthetic considerations to mull over when picking the perfect glazing for your flat roof
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Glazing is typically a crucial component of an extension, and when fitted in a flat roof, it beams lots of daylight into the space below and provides a serious shot of contemporary cool, too. That said, glazing fitted in a flat roof should do more than simply look good and brighten your space, it has to work hard as well. So, when you’re choosing, think about the position and size of any rooflights, or whether to opt for flat or curved glass – and keep in mind practical considerations, such as security, safety and how you’ll keep it clean.
How do I avoid being overlooked?
Glazing in a flat-roof extension can leave you vulnerable to being overlooked, so if your home is surrounded by other properties, it’s important to consider whether neighbours gazing down at you feels like a problem. If it does, one solution, particularly suited to rooms that aren’t very social such as an office or utility space, is an opaque flat roof dome. Its high insulation PVC construction is opaque in finish, ensuring privacy.
In rooms that are actively used throughout the day, consider translucent blinds, which help control daylight without blocking it altogether, and provide some privacy, too. It’s also possible to design your own flat-roof glazing, so that you have a bespoke solution in your space that offers maximum light but also maximum privacy. Using a clever build-your-own 3D configurator tool, you can create your perfect glazing, with just the right shape, size, colour and functionality.
Glazing in a flat-roof extension can leave you vulnerable to being overlooked, so if your home is surrounded by other properties, it’s important to consider whether neighbours gazing down at you feels like a problem. If it does, one solution, particularly suited to rooms that aren’t very social such as an office or utility space, is an opaque flat roof dome. Its high insulation PVC construction is opaque in finish, ensuring privacy.
In rooms that are actively used throughout the day, consider translucent blinds, which help control daylight without blocking it altogether, and provide some privacy, too. It’s also possible to design your own flat-roof glazing, so that you have a bespoke solution in your space that offers maximum light but also maximum privacy. Using a clever build-your-own 3D configurator tool, you can create your perfect glazing, with just the right shape, size, colour and functionality.
How do I keep it clean?
Glazing in a flat roof attracts its fair share of mess, from dust and rainwater marks, to ‘deposits’ from passing birds. It’s also rarely as easy to access for cleaning as a regular window mounted in a wall, but there are plenty of options you can choose to help it look its best.
A rooflight that has curve-shaped edge-to-edge glass allows rainwater to easily drain off, and as it does so, it will rinse away marks and debris, too. If you prefer a flat design, choose one with a special coating applied to the glass that creates an easy clean surface.
Glazing in a flat roof attracts its fair share of mess, from dust and rainwater marks, to ‘deposits’ from passing birds. It’s also rarely as easy to access for cleaning as a regular window mounted in a wall, but there are plenty of options you can choose to help it look its best.
A rooflight that has curve-shaped edge-to-edge glass allows rainwater to easily drain off, and as it does so, it will rinse away marks and debris, too. If you prefer a flat design, choose one with a special coating applied to the glass that creates an easy clean surface.
Will it be too noisy?
While some people love the sound of rain falling, this can be amplified to intrusive levels when it’s drumming against a glazed flat roof that you’re standing under. So, do your research and be sure to choose a quality flat glass roof light that is designed with panes that help keep the noise of rain or hail falling to a minimum, as well as offering good insulation.
It’s also a smart idea to install rooflights that include rain sensors, which will automatically close your windows in the event of a sudden downpour.
While some people love the sound of rain falling, this can be amplified to intrusive levels when it’s drumming against a glazed flat roof that you’re standing under. So, do your research and be sure to choose a quality flat glass roof light that is designed with panes that help keep the noise of rain or hail falling to a minimum, as well as offering good insulation.
It’s also a smart idea to install rooflights that include rain sensors, which will automatically close your windows in the event of a sudden downpour.
Is it possible to add safety features?
As well as looking beautiful, letting in lots of natural light and delivering excellent energy efficiency, rooflights must also be secure and safe, both against burglars and in the unlikely event of one breaking. The latest high-performance rooflights from VELUX® come with laminated inner glazing as standard, for superior safety in the unlikely case of breakage, and there’s an optional burglary resistance feature, too, for optimal security.
If your flat roof also doubles as a roof terrace, choose a rooflight that’s designed to be tough and safe enough to walk on, complete with anti-slip coating. And for spaces that need to meet specific fire safety requirements, smoke vent domes that automatically open if there’s a fire to release smoke and gasses from the building are available.
Visit the VELUX website to find glazing solutions for flat roofs.
Tell us…
Are you planning a flat-roof extension? Which of these options would work best for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
As well as looking beautiful, letting in lots of natural light and delivering excellent energy efficiency, rooflights must also be secure and safe, both against burglars and in the unlikely event of one breaking. The latest high-performance rooflights from VELUX® come with laminated inner glazing as standard, for superior safety in the unlikely case of breakage, and there’s an optional burglary resistance feature, too, for optimal security.
If your flat roof also doubles as a roof terrace, choose a rooflight that’s designed to be tough and safe enough to walk on, complete with anti-slip coating. And for spaces that need to meet specific fire safety requirements, smoke vent domes that automatically open if there’s a fire to release smoke and gasses from the building are available.
Visit the VELUX website to find glazing solutions for flat roofs.
Tell us…
Are you planning a flat-roof extension? Which of these options would work best for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
For more than 80 years, the VELUX Group has transformed spaces and created better living environments for people... Read More
For more than 80 years, the VELUX Group has transformed spaces and created better living environments for people... Read More
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