When architects are designing new build homes or extensions, there are many things to bear in mind. Amongst those things, natural light, ventilation, thermal efficiency, temperature control and aesthetic appeal feature highly. Well integrated roof lights can help improve the extension in all of these areas. It's not worth designing or building something that isn't going to score highly in any of these areas. Furthermore, there is a legal responsibility for them to ensure the new build home or extension complies with these requirements.
In this article, we'd like to touch on each of these considerations in a little bit more detail.
Natural Light
It seems obvious to state, but natural light can make or break a new build extension. If there is not enough light, the extension will feel dingy but too much natural light can result in a lack of privacy, whether it be through the roof from above or simply through the windows and doors in the extension.
A second consideration is that it's important to make the best of our grey British weather. By installing roof lights in your extension, which normally come with blue self cleaning glass as standard, they can give a really effective blue sky tint to the mostly grey British skies!
Ventilation
With roof lights, whether its one of our lantern roofs or a Velux that you can buy off the shelf from Wickes or B&Q, they all open up the possibility of getting a natural air flow through the extension. After all, most of our customers' extensions end up being the family's main living space, which they wouldn't want to suffer from damp issues due to poor ventilation. It's also important to ensure the extension is not too hot and stuffy in summer.
Whether your extension will have a pitched roof with Velux roof lights or a flat roof with lantern skylights, it's important to consider making them openable to allow air flow through the extension. Remember, flat skylights can open too!
Thermal Efficiency
It goes without saying that new builds and extensions must comply with building regulations. A big part of this is ensuring that the new build/extension is thermally efficient. In other words, it absorbs heat well and does not allow too much energy wastage. Extensions and new builds are tested against these requirements via SAP calculations, which are explained well here.
Sometimes, glass roof lights are actually more efficient than brickwork and roof structures. Every build is different but it can often be the case that high quality roof lights can improve the SAP calculation on an extension.
Temperature control
As we touched on in the ventilation point, it's key that any new build or extension does not get too cold in the winter and too hot and stuffy in the summer. Well integrated opening roof lights can ensure that homeowners can open and close their skylights to control the temperature in the extension without compromising the security of the property. This can be done manually with a pole or electrically with a wall switch.
Aesthetic appeal
Last, but certainly not least, is aesthetic or 'kerb' appeal. It's important for homeowners that their new extension looks the part and is going to garner compliments from friends and family. It's undoubtable that roof lights and glazing in general plays a totally essential part in this. Poorly thought out extensions with not enough glass look and feel too closed in.
In our opinion, the best extensions that we have supplied skylights for have managed to perfectly balance the brickwork, cladding, roof tiling and glazing. This great article in Homebuilding & Renovating lists 20 Extension Design Ideas - you can read it by clicking here.
If you'd like any advice on the design of your extension, you can catch us on 01622 380 121 or email us at info@expressskylights.co.uk.
Comments