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Great Reasons to Add a Rooflight to Your Garage

 

With better weather finally on the horizon, the desire for a new ‘house project’ continues to niggle at the back of your mind. So, before starting any major restoration project including a garage renovation, consider whether it will add convenience, function, and value.

Great renovations incorporate all three and by adding a rooflight to your garage will add a natural source of light, is easy to do, and could potentially increase your property’s value.

Garages are mostly damp and dark – a perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew – and can create and cause a number of health issues, especially if your garage doubles up as a workshop, laundry room or even a gym or home-office. Adding a natural source of light can prevent respiratory problems and other health issues caused by spaces affected by mould as sunlight is a natural disinfectant and helps destroy toxins and spores produced.
With natural exposure to light with a rooflight installation, this also avoids using harmful artificial light bulbs and provides a source of vitamin D- reducing eye strain and helping improve your mood and lower blood pressure.

Reasonably easy and cost-effective to install, an addition of a rooflight to your garage will add appeal, versatility to your garage becoming a resourceful additional space, and thus increasing the potential market value of your property.
To find out more information or for any questions about rooflights, call on 01679 821166 or email at info@directrooflights.co.uk.

What is the difference between a skylight, a rooflight and a roof window?

Rooflights

Due to manufacturers and suppliers referring to them differently, many people are under the impression that a skylight and a rooflight are two separate products, when they are in fact the same.

Whether you choose to call it a skylight or rooflight, it is ultimately designed to achieve one objective: increase the amount of natural light into a space – and to ventilate if it is a rooflight that opens.

However, a roof window is a completely different product entirely and there is a big difference when it comes to form and function – so before you decide, make sure you know which is which!

Roof windows fall under a British Standards regulation, which specifies that all roof windows must be fitted ‘in plane’ with the surrounding roof and to the same orientation. They must also be CE marked by manufacturers, meaning they need to provide a declaration of performance (DOP) to customers outlining unit performance under rigorous test conditions. Additionally, roof windows tend to be ‘off-the-shelf’ as opposed to bespoke rooflights, and are usually only available in standardised shapes, sizes and specifications.

If you’re looking to add an architectural showstopper to your home however, then our Pyramid and Trapezium rooflights are ideal. With their 3D design, they allow a substantial amount of natural light into a property, are designed to be installed in flat roofs and are the modern alternative to conventional conservatories.

Due to their design, our Pyramid and Trapezium rooflights add height to your room making it appear bigger and allow a considerable amount of natural light -from all different angles- to beam into the space below.

At Direct Rooflights, we have an array of products designed to meet any needs, requirements and budgets.

Contact us today on 01670 821166 to discuss any requirements.

The Perfect Spring Renovation with Direct Rooflights

With the winter months dragging and January (especially if ‘dry’) feeling like it is lasting forever, we are all dreaming of clear skies and longer days!

Spring also brings warmer weather – making renovation projects and rooflight installation so much easier. With spring being one of the most popular times for home renovations (ready for summer months) now is the time to start preparing and to establish which rooflight is the perfect addition to your home.

Rooflights add plenty of natural light into previously dark spaces and are proven to be more effective – and the quality of light is much higher – than that from vertical windows.

Eradicate claustrophobic rooms with winter shadows and create a brighter, more open and welcoming living space. And once winter does roll around again, you will certainly appreciate the additional light in your home as daylight becomes scarcer. From show-stopping Trapezium to our Glass Rooflights Plus, our wide range of rooflights will eliminate dull spaces and let the sunshine flood in.

Speak to Direct Rooflights today to see which rooflight is best for you and will make all the difference to your home.

Planning your Home Renovations for the Year Ahead

New Year, New Home.

The key to renovating your house is primarily to plan the entire process effectively and in advance. Maybe you’ve got some home improvement projects that have never gone further than the idea stage. But with the start of a new decade, what better way to finally make those improvement dreams a reality.

Perhaps you don’t yet have a list of improvements you’d like to make around your home yet? But need some ideas for how to modernise your home? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Replace your windows

The problem with old, draughty windows is that they not only negatively impact the overall look and feel of your home, they also impact your energy bills.

If you’ve got old windows that have definitely seen better days, and you’re constantly having to turn up your heating to compensate for the cold draught coming in, why not make 2020 the year in which you replace your windows for more modern alternatives.

Hang up new striking curtains or blinds

Spruce up any room with new curtains, blinds, or an on-trend combination of both. Unlined curtain panels are easier to make than traditional curtains and, with no pleats to increase the amount of fabric you’ll need, you can go for more luxurious options.

Add a rooflight

When it comes to home improvements, any changes you make to your house should be focussed on affording you an improved quality of life. Whether that’s fixing an existing problem or adding a new feature, the goal should always be to benefit you and add some decent value to your property.

One such home improvement that many homeowners are choosing to make nowadays is installing  rooflights to allow more natural light and air into their homes. It’s an option that is usually much more cost effective and doesn’t involve major surgery on your house.

Whether you’re looking to brighten up a room that doesn’t see much daylight, or improve your home’s ventilation, a rooflight will do the trick.

Not sure on your options? View our extensive range here or contact us with any queries. We’re happy to help.

Top 5 benefits of adding a rooflight to your home

1). Naturally better
The primary purpose and benefit of adding a rooflight to your home is of course to let more natural light into your home or business. Homes with more natural light – not artificial, fluorescent or yellow light – are healthier, more enjoyable and more attractive spaces to live and/or work in.

2). More light
Unlike traditional vertical windows, rooflights allow more light in throughout the day, and can be placed in tight spaces, and flat and pitched roofs. Light from the ceiling is more than three times brighter than light that enters through vertical windows*, so if you have a room that has potential to add a rooflight, it’s definitely worth doing!

3). Energy efficient
Surprisingly, rooflights are most beneficial during colder climates. As well as increasing natural light into your home they balance the heat within the room. They’ll decrease your need for artificial light thus reducing your lighting costs during the day and will significantly reduce your heating bills during colder months. To find out more on how rooflights are low cost and energy efficient CLICK HERE

4). Add value to your home
Rooflights automatically create a sense of modernism and luxury with minimum cost. By creating more natural light and ‘opening up’ the space, your home will appear bigger, lighter and more welcoming – perfect for eagerly awaiting buyers.

5). A better state of mind
Natural sunlight increases quality of life and comfort to your living environment. Exposure to natural light is proven to promote good mental health by nourishing your psyche and reduce anxiety and stress.

 

*Source: NARM Technical Document NTD12 2018

Has your rooflight got condensation? Don’t panic!

Now that we are well into the winter months, there’s nothing better than getting snug in your lovely warm home, however you may start noticing condensation on your windows. This is caused when there is moisture in the air indoors and there is a significant difference in temperature between outdoors and inside your home. Everyday activities such as cooking, doing laundry and showering adds to moisture inside your home.

Condensation on your rooflight happens because warm air holding moisture, will rise and then turns to water when it cools (comes into contact with the glass). If this happens, it’s worth checking it has been installed correctly. Direct Rooflights can guarantee no condensation because during installation, felt is added between the frame and opening so no moist air comes into contact with your walls or cladding.

The best way to prevent condensation in your home is to circulate the air and make sure it is properly ventilated. You can help do this by taking the following steps:

  • Open windows for an hour or so every day
  • Use thick curtains to keep warm air in
  • Use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
  • Install double glazing
  • Use a dehumidifier
  • Ensure moist air is vented properly from appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers
  • Avoid hanging clothes to dry indoors.

Direct Rooflights construct all our rooflights to the highest standard and ensure all are insulated, preventing condensation.

For more information or advice on rooflights, contact us at info@directrooflights.co.uk

How Rooflights can save you energy and money!

Rooflights add a host of benefits to your home: they can be installed in tight spaces where traditional windows cannot, they come in a multitude of designs, rarely need planning permission, drench rooms with natural light and can be tailored to fit in to any home.

… And, did you know that rooflights can have a positive impact on your home, carbon footprint and reduce your energy bills?

Solar heat gain will reduce the need for as much artificial heating, and by installing high quality glass rooflights which retain the heat and still allow optimum natural light, perfect for during the winter months.

Many rooflights allow for ventilation and open outward, naturally releasing hot air that accumulates in your room. This allows fresh air into your home, which in turn is healthier than using energy consuming purifiers and air conditioning units.

Increasing your natural light means less need for conventional lighting dramatically reducing the amount of Co2 emissions your home produces and lowering your electricity bills.

The amount of daylight is dependent on building type, size and the positioning of the rooflight, but are efficient, nonetheless.

Speak to us today about how a rooflight can save you money!

Brighten up your home this winter with a Rooflight

As the clocks have gone back and darkness falls into our homes seemingly earlier than ever, it’s a fantastic opportunity to make the most of the natural light we do have.  Increasing daylight into your home brightens rooms and allows the space to open, therefore considered bigger and more welcoming. Time consuming renovations and extensions are simply not practical in the lead up to Christmas. So, this winter, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective way to make the most of natural daylight, look no further.

There is an easier way to create a light-filled home, add a rooflight!

Rooflights can effortlessly and swiftly be installed in both flat and pitched roofs, and usually require no planning permission. They allow vast amounts of light to flood into rooms throughout the day, more so than traditional vertical windows. ‘Top light’, is more than three times brighter than light that enters through vertical windows*, so if you have a room that has potential to add a rooflight, it’s definitely worth doing!

Rooflights work well in windowless rooms, and smaller designs still allow a lot of light, perfect for hallways where the natural light can drench the entire space below.

Rooflights are inexpensive and an effective answer to renovating your home, without the pains that come with traditional extensions and conservatories.

For more information on how a rooflight can improve your home, contact us today!

How to choose Rooflights

Skylights

Rooflights can provide the perfect solution for bringing more light into a space. Whether installed into a converted loft or into the roof of a new extension, a rooflight can offer up to 40 per cent more natural light.

There’s plenty to consider when choosing the right one for you and with so many options out there, where do you start? We suggest here, with our comprehensive guide…

Where should rooflights be located?

One of the first things to consider, in order to get the most amount of daylight into the property, is where you will need to locate the windows. Maybe you are installing roof windows in a kitchen extension and you want to ensure there is plenty of light flooding in in the mornings. In which case you would be best installing east-facing windows if possible. Whereas, for creating greater light in a living room later in the day you might look to install in a more west-facing direction.

What size rooflight should you consider?

Obviously the bigger the window the more light. But consider balancing the size of your rooflights with other practicalities and the overall feel of your space. It might be tempting to opt for huge skylights, but this may result in a room becoming too bright or too warm.

Also, something to think about is the style of your property and interiors. If you live in a modern home or prefer a more modern look, choosing larger areas of glazing may work best. If you live in a listed building, then it is advisable to keep to smaller sizes.

How much do rooflights cost?

The cost of your rooflights depends on many different factors as listed above: the style you choose, the size, whether it’s double or triple glazed and other properties of the glass such as noise control or temperature control. At the basic end, our polycarbonate rooflights cost as little as £63.25 but for something more bespoke solutions start at around £600.

For more information on our products, please call 01670 821166 or email us at info@directrooflights.co.uk.

Unique Ideas for Rooflights in Your Home

Looking for some inspiration when it comes to rooflights? As we’ve grown as a company, our vast experience in designing and manufacturing rooflights has improved immensely. As a result, we have risen to become experts in our field and a driving force in setting the benchmark for premium quality rooflights.

In today’s post, we have covered three unique ideas for rooflights in your home, take a look:

Do you work from home and struggle to concentrate? One study found that people who work predominantly in artificial light are more likely to feel tired towards the end of the day. One way to diminish this factor would be to add our glass rooflights into your home office. Not only to make the space feel bigger and look brighter, but to enable you to continue working for longer.

Another room to consider is your hallway lighting. Remember, you are setting the tone for the rest of your house. Our rooflights can easily transform an otherwise dark hallway into a bright, welcoming walkway.

The best wakeup call you can get is natural sunlight. A skylight above your bed gives you the option to use the sun as your alarm clock – giving you a gentler wake up that prepares your body to wake up. Alternatively, imagine lying in bed and seeing a sky full of stars on a clear night. As with your normal windows, our skylights also allow you to easily add any blinds or fittings so you can fully control the amount of light your room gets.

If you would like to discuss more about your options or start creating your perfect roof light, please get in touch with us on 01670 821166 or send us an email at info@directrooflights.co.uk.

Understanding U-Values

If you are a first timer to buying a rooflight, you may be wondering what U-Values actually mean?

Quite simply this is the measure of heat that is transmitted through a building part – in the case of rooflights, through the glazing.

They are also known as the ‘overall heat transfer co-efficient’ and the higher the number value is signifies the more heat that is being lost, meaning it is less energy efficient.

A lower value means that insulating properties are greater and therefore ultimately more energy efficient and better for the environment.

How the U-Value is Calculated

The U-Value is determined by the material used, its depth and positioning. When we manufacture our rooflights they are made up of several components, each of which have different properties in relation to heat transference.

A number of factors need to be considered when identifying the U-Value, including:

  • How each property conducts heat
  • The external and internal resistance of each component material

An equation of these values is used to determine the overall U-Value.

Our Rooflights

Please see below the table which shows the technical information on the U-Values of each of the different skins of our range of rooflights:

SkinsU-Value
Double Skin2.6 W/m²KAs installed
Triple Skin1.8 W/m²KAs installed
Quad Skin1.4 W/m²KAs installed

 

Within the UKs building regulations, U-Values are covered by Part L and this sets out a maximum U-Value for modern building work.

If you have any further questions in relation to U-Values or our rooflights, please do not hesitate to get in touch either by calling 01670 821166 or email us directly at info@directrooflights.co.uk.

Simple Remodelling Ideas to Increase the Value of Your Property

When renovating your house, you want to not only make it a nicer place for you or the next people to live at the property, you also want to install measures that are going to see the biggest return on your investment.

As we head into Autumn, it’s a great time to get a few last minute, simple renovations done to your house before the winter kicks in. As such, we have put together a few renovation ideas for you:

  • Install rooflights

Natural light is a huge selling point for homebuyers and a simple way to achieve this is through installing a rooflight. Not only do they look great and brighten up the room, they also increase the home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy bill – another bonus point when it comes to selling the house.

Transform any gloomy room with a rooflight from Direct Rooflights, which start from as little as £63.25. View our range here.

  • Do up your door or invest in a new one

Your door is the first thing that people will see upon entering your house. A simple lick of paint can work wonders to spruce up a tired door, or if it has seen better days, it maybe worth investing in a new one. Making the right first impression is everything and it doesn’t cost a fortune to get this right.

  • Update your kitchen

With the kitchen said to be the heart of the home, it is important that a warm feeling is created in this room, whether it’s for yourself or future buyers to envisage themselves cooking in this space. Kitchens, often thought to cost the earth, don’t need to be expensive and there are some simple upgrades that you can make without breaking the bank.

Upgrade your worktop with a laminate faux marble effect that is very on trend at the minute or a faux wood traditional look that will never go out of style. This look is inexpensive with the finish illusion of a high cost design.

You can also very easily update the look of your kitchen with a new splashback. For tiles, we recommend that you find a low budget option of your favourite designer tiles – there are plenty of options available on the market.