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Vicky

A SMALL ROOM CAN FEEL LARGE

For those of us who live in a small flat or house, making some of our small rooms feel large can be quite a design challenge. Whether that’s a living room that only allows for one sofa or a kitchen that is your cooking, eating and entertainment space, whatever change you can make to create the illusion of space is priceless. 

So, this month, our second blog focuses on using rooflights to make that small room seem really quite large. 

Let there be light

It goes without saying that any room will feel that bit larger if it floods with light and it might seem the easiest option for many of us is to add more simulated light.  Whilst this is one option, it really doesn’t provide the many health or aesthetic benefits that flooding your room with natural light does.

Fitting extra windows is likely to be impractical. You’re already in a small space so finding free walls is simply adding to the existing challenge. Opting for rooflights, however, is a practical and cost-effective way of solving the issue.

And irrespective of your roof being pitched or flat, at Direct Rooflights we have several options available at the specification, colour and price to suit your needs.

Whether this is a flat glass, pyramids or trapeziums style we will work with you to find the right rooflight to make your small space feel quite spacious.  

And, with prices starting from as little as £63.25 for a polycarbonate model, you can be sure that at Direct Rooflights we have every option to make sure you choose the rooflight that best suits your style, budget and design requirements.

For more information on adding a rooflight to your property, call us on 01679 821166 or email at info@directrooflights.co.uk

DirectRooflights Manager

Making A Design Statement with Rooflights

Gone are the days where rooflights were simply a way of making a pokey room or loft useable.  Now rooflights are an integral statement piece in many home design features.  No longer are they simply installed as a structure to add light and ventilation – and which is still a very good reason for introducing them – but they’re being increasingly used as spectacular statement pieces that bring a remarkable individuality to homes and living spaces.

Increasingly we’re seeing rooflights used as skyroom extensions where solid walls and overhead glazing create that modern and stylish take on the traditional conservatory.  For the very brave home stylists – and those with the space to do it – we’re seeing rooflights installed in roof spaces sitting directly above stairs.  Installing a rooflight in this way can make a dramatic and statement feature to an entire staircase void.

Combine your rooflight feature with open treads, glass balustrades, even walk-over glass creating upright glazing – as we’re seeing many people do – and suddenly you’re flooding daylight through multiple parts and storeys of your home.

And with our online services operating as normal – whilst making sure we keep everyone safe – there’s never been a better time to browse, buy and consult with our experienced team on the statement rooflight piece that could dramatically change your home.

With prices starting from as little as £63.25 for a polycarbonate model, you can be assured we have every option to suit whatever your style, budget and design statement requirements.

Enjoy this time in your home even more with Direct Rooflights.

For more information on adding a rooflight to your property, call us on 01679 821166 or email at info@directrooflights.co.uk.

 

 

DirectRooflights Manager

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.

Sophie Longford

Three Interior Design Trends Surging in Popularity this Year

Every now and then we could all use a little change. Whether you’re tired of looking at the same old design scheme, need a small refresh or simply like to follow what’s new, taking your cue from design trends can help you figure out just how to update your home.

As such, we have put together three simple interior design trends that are surging in popularity this year already.

Statement Ceilings

Forget about statement walls, in 2020 we are going to be looking to the ceiling. Next time you have a repaint, try painting the ceiling in a colour that contrasts your walls.

If you are working with a smaller room, try painting your ceiling the same colour, that coupled with our skylights will help give off the illusion of a bigger space.

Texture

2020 trends aren’t all about colour either, we are seeing texture increasingly being used to add interest to rooms too. Research shows a look people are loving is layering up different textures in the same, or similar colours.

In a living room, cushions and throws are an obvious way to go about this but in other rooms, try bringing in textures with plants, prints and candles.

Refined Glamour

The new 2020 glam is less sheen, more sophisticated. Luxury materials such as pewter, marble and velvet all mix together beautifully to create fine decorative details. Fringing is also everywhere this year, from lampshades to wall hangings.

All of these small updates go a long way to renewing your home so start now!

Sophie Longford

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.

Sophie Longford

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

Sophie Longford

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.

Sophie Longford

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.

DirectRooflights Manager

DIY tips for Easter with Direct Rooflights

Easter weekend marks the start for many homeowners digging out their toolboxes and rolling up their sleeves to tackle long overdue jobs. Typically, this can involve a lot of work which can be stressful. However, the trick to an easy fix is knowing exactly what you want.

To help you, we have put together a few ideas to guide you through your renovations:

Add a Rooflight

A rooflight is an easy and cost-effective way to add some natural light into a room and provide a modern update. The rooflight can act as a focal feature, especially if you like a minimalistic look, due to the amount of light coming from it. A loft conversion will also benefit greatly from a skylight as they give the illusion of space to an otherwise small area.

Lighten up your colour palette

Light colours and whites reflect natural light better than darker colours. So, a good tip is to paint walls in cool tones to maximise natural light and bring some of the sunshine and energy of the new season into your home. Use colours such as blue – greys, whites and yellow and coordinate your furniture to suit.

Make the most of a small space

Exploit the often-under-utilized space between the tops of furniture and a room’s ceiling with hanging or high- mounted elements. Take bookcases or cabinets all the way up the wall – it’ll make the room feel higher. Pair with mirrors throughout the space to make it feel larger, lighter and airier.

We hope you found these tips helpful and we hope you enjoy your spring DIY!

DirectRooflights Manager

Why Buy Rooflights Direct from a Manufacturer?

Roof Light

As one of the very few manufacturers in the UK of rooflights, we have put together seven benefits to buy rooflights directly from a manufacturer and why Direct Rooflights is a key supplier of choice:

 

  1. UK Manufacturer

You know where your rooflight is coming from. If you buy from Direct Rooflights our products are all made on our own site in Northumberland which spans more than 85,000 square feet.

 

  1. More Choice

There is a greater variety to choose from. Not everyone has the same amount of space for a skylight and when you order direct you can choose from a range of styles and sizes that may not be available from some suppliers.

 

  1. It’s Cheaper

When you buy rooflights directly from the manufacturer, it’s much more cost effective than buying from a middle man company. When you buy direct you will get the product for the lowest price.

 

  1. Delivered Direct

When you order from a manufacturing company you get the product delivered directly to your door. There’s no extra waiting time for your delivery as it is produced and distributed from our Northumberland site.

 

  1. Warranty

Buy rooflights from Direct Rooflights directly, gives you a 12 month warranty.

 

  1. Ready assembled

When your rooflight is delivered it is already fully assembled making it easy to fit.

 

  1. Knowledgeable Staff

All of our skylights are designed and manufactured by a team of highly trained staff . As we produce the product onsite our staff have full technical knowledge of our products that a second supplier may not have.

 

If you want to know more benefits of buying roof lights direct get in touch through email: info@directrooflights.co.uk, our contact form, or give us a call on 01670 821166.