CONSERVATORIES&SOLIDROOFS
Rooflights in conservation
areas – are you compliant?
With over 10,000 conservation areas throughout
England, and each local authority across the country
responsible for at least one area, the renovation or
construction of new build properties within these
locations is continuing to increase in popularity. For
installers and fabricators, this may initially present a
difficult challenge as they not only have to fulfil the
personal tastes of the homeowner, but also meet
all requirements outlined by the local council.
» » HERE SABAHUDIN MEDIC,
Operations Director at Roof Maker,
explores how professionals can ensure they
are compliant with all relevant regulations,
without compromising on aesthetics,
particularly with regard to the roof.
Introduced in the latest 1960s, conservation
areas place additional development control
on building projects in order to enhance and
preserve the history of the area. With this in
mind, the renovation or new build project
should help to improve the existing building
and overall impression of the area, whilst also
helping to preserve the structure that is already
there.
According to the Planning (Listed Buildings
and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the quality
of the build materials is of great importance
to maintain the distinctiveness and visual
appeal of the location. With regard to
replacing windows and rooflights in particular,
the new building products should replicate
the originals, although under permitted
development, there is the opportunity for
varying products to be installed.
However, installers must check there is not
an Article 4 Direction on the property, which
removes the right for permitted development,
such as installing rooflights or windows. As
always, relevant building regulations must also
always be referred to.
To ensure constant compliance with all
legislation, installers must here remember
that the external character of the property
must be maintained, which is why it’s always
recommended to source materials that are of
similar aesthetics to the originals. Specifically
for rooflights, fabricators must ensure they are
fitting rooflights that feature the iconic black
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metal bar, which replicates the visual appeal of
the original Victorian cast iron roof windows
of traditional properties.
Most commonly the glazing bar would be
located in the centre of the rooflight and have
a black finish, however, multiple split bars
would be used on larger units. Creating the
appearance of a single rooflight with two or
more panes of glass was the typical style during
the Victorian era. Installers must also ensure
that the rooflight delivers a lower profile than
normal rooflights for an unobtrusive finish to
the exterior.
Whilst the visual finish of the product
should replicate that of the original, there
is the opportunity for installers to add
contemporary benefits to the build by
installing innovative and technologically
advanced solutions. For example, by fitting a
conservation skylight that is triple glazed, the
overall thermal efficiency of the property can
be improved, with some rooflights offering
Ug-value as low as 0.6w/m²k as standard.
This combination of traditional style with
contemporary benefits reflects the very
purpose of Conservation Areas, which aim to
improve and enhance, rather than replace.
Latest product developments also combine
the traditional style of glazing bar with
modern technologies, such as remote control
opening, which improves the functionality
of the rooflight, supporting easy ventilation
throughout the home.
Roof Maker’s latest Conservation Luxlite™
rooflight is specifically designed to replicate
the original Victorian cast iron skylight,
featuring a slim shaped split bar that is
constructed of high quality aluminium for
better weathering and aesthetics. Unlike
existing conservation skylights where the
split is sandwiched between the glass panes,
Roof Maker’s split is structurally bonded to
the glass to eliminate the presence of a cold
bridge, significantly minimising the risk of
condensation forming and retaining the best
possible thermal performance.
The bonding process also eliminates the
opportunity for dirt and debris to accumulate
underneath the split, a potential issue with
other skylights that only feature a rubber seal.
By constructing the split from aluminium,
rather than commonly used steel, the
opportunity for risk of corrosion is also greatly
reduced.
Whilst undertaking new build or renovation
projects within Conservation Areas may
initially appear a tricky task, installers can help
to significantly improve the functionality and
efficiency of a property, whilst also enhancing
its traditional exterior appeal. By specifying
products that can be ordered, delivered and
installed within short lead times, professionals
can also streamline the process for both the
homeowner and the local authority, ensuring
the building work is carried out as sensitively
and professionally as possible.
info.roof-maker.co.uk/conservation