How Big Is Your Roof Light?

When you endeavor to have a home that has a bright and airy feel, roof lights (also known as skylights) could be a great addition. They provide natural light, lend a fresh, trendy vibe to your property, and can flip dull locations into vibrant spaces. But a very important question arises: how big should the roof light be?

Why Roof Light Size Matters

The bigger the roof light, the more natural light it admits into the home. Larger roof lights are appealing but often make them impractical or non-code-compliant. Thus, the size of the roof light is a trade-off between aesthetics and functionality married within the structural feasibility of the property

A Complete Guide to Rooflights for UK Homeowners

Selecting the correct size for your roof light is pivotal in transforming any loft conversion or extension. Roof lights serve a dual purpose: they illuminate your space and enhance the room’s overall energy efficiency.

A well-chosen roof light will not only flood your space with natural light but also create a sense of openness, boosting both comfort and aesthetics. Getting the dimensions right ensures you capitalise on natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting, which can be costly and less sustainable.

Key Considerations for Choosing Roof Light Dimensions

To ensure you’re making an informed decision, it’s essential to consider both the practical and aesthetic aspects of roof lights. Here’s a closer look:

• Proportionality to Space: A roof light that is too small can leave your room feeling dim and confined. On the other hand, an overly large roof light might overwhelm the space. As a general guideline, the roof light should cover approximately 15–20% of the room’s total floor area.

• Compliance with UK Building Regulations: UK building regulations dictate safety and energy efficiency standards for roof lights. For instance, some regulations require specific sizes to ensure adequate ventilation, particularly in habitable rooms like bedrooms or kitchens. Consulting with professionals can help ensure your installation complies with these regulations, avoiding costly revisions.

• Thermal Performance and Insulation: Larger roof lights tend to let in more heat, especially in south-facing rooms. High-performance glazing, such as double or triple glazing, helps maintain a stable indoor temperature, preventing overheating in summer and heat loss in winter. Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings are another important factor to consider for reducing heat transfer, which can help improve energy efficiency.

• Sunlight and Glare Control: In sunny areas or south-facing spaces, you might encounter excessive glare or heat. For optimal comfort, consider integrating blinds, tints, or special coatings on the glass. North-facing roof lights, by contrast, provide softer, more consistent lighting throughout the day, making them ideal for workspaces.

Practical Tips to Ensure the Best Results

• Tailored Solutions: Custom-made roof lights are often a better fit than off-the-shelf products. A bespoke option allows you to control the size, shape, and materials to perfectly match your space.

• Energy-Efficient Glazing: Invest in high-quality glass with features like argon gas-filled panes or solar control coatings. These help reduce the energy consumption needed to heat or cool the space, while maximising natural light.

• Seek Local Expertise: North London professionals often have specific knowledge of regional building regulations and trends, ensuring that your roof light not only fits but complies with local requirements.

Making an informed choice about your roof light size can dramatically improve the functionality, beauty, and energy efficiency of your home. The key is balancing aesthetics, practicality, and sustainability, all while ensuring compliance with UK standards. With expert insight, you can achieve a space filled with natural light, enhancing both your home’s value and its comfort.

The Power of Roof Lights in Rear Extensions

So how big should Roof Light be? How many should you have? Whats style? Here are some key considerations to go through when deciding.

Reasons to decide. Well you need to get the position and size sorted as the engineer will have to make sure the hole is ok, and the builder needs to factor in the hole size and cost of the unit in the build price.

Where should they go – General Principles Add roof lights where you need light, it is simple.  Stick to standard standard products for a more economical scenario  (engineering and off shelf price). This will also avoid any complexity on site. Central locations given even light across the space. Think about where dark areas maybe, you may want the natural light so it feels more up lifting.  

The Rooflight Company

Velux Flat Roof Windows

Lantern Sizes and Costs

Atlas Rooflights & Lanterns

Things to Consider

Over kitchen in centre, down-lights over worktops

Can you clean it, access from outside. Consider, auto open/ close function by remote

Consider auto blind open and close by remote. Typical sizes 1800x900mm, how big is that, mark it out on your floor.

Lantern V Skylight

Technically the same structural opening.

What goes with the look of your home and importantly what kind of look do you want from the inside, will it go with your kitchen design.

Orientation

Should it be from party wall to party wall or from house to garden orientation? This depends what and where your furniture is. Does the roof light relate to an object?

Things You May Want To Avoid

Over dining tables, consider light at night. Over work surfaces.

Perimeter unless you want to get into super design roof lights. Consider neighbour views into your property (privacy)

If you have more than 25% glazing on new extensions, then you will have to do a SAP assessment to ensure you do not have too much heat loss. Area of roof glazing will be a factor in this (Part of Building Regulations).

Consider heat loss via roof lights. Can you clean the inside of the glass easily and safely?

Roof Thickness

Typically a new extension will have whats called a “warm roof” construction. All the insulation will be on top of the roof joists. This means the roof is quite thick. So when you cut in a roof light, the ceiling to the where the glass starts can be 400mm thick. So it can be quite sculptural and views of the sky not as accessible as you think due to the glass being higher than the ceiling.

Super Design Roof lights

So you can create a slop between your existing house and the new extension. It adds light where it is darkest. The engineering on these type of scenarios are more expensive. So think about the design cost and the waterproofing issues. It may not be a standard product.

Got more questions? Create a comment below.

Key Considerations Before Installation

Before diving into specific measurements and styles, consider these crucial aspects to ensure a successful roof light installation:

• Structural impact: Ensure the size and position don’t compromise your roof’s integrity.
• Light distribution: Place them strategically to maximize natural light in desired areas.
• Standard vs. bespoke: Standard sizes are cheaper and easier to install, while bespoke options offer more design flexibility.
• Accessibility and maintenance: Consider how you’ll clean them, especially for high or large roof lights.
• Aesthetics and privacy: Choose a style that complements your home’s design and consider privacy concerns with neighbors.

By carefully considering these factors before making your decisions, you can ensure your roof lights become beautiful and functional additions to your rear extension.

Brightening Up Your Addition: Additional Tips 

While we’ve explored key considerations, here are some extra pointers to help you fine-tune your roof light choices:

• Sizing Up the Space: A common rule of thumb suggests a roof light size equal to 10-20% of your floor area. However, this is just a starting point. Factor in the number of roof lights you plan to install and the amount of natural light already available from windows.

• Style Matters: From sleek flat skylights to statement lantern rooflights, the style you choose can significantly impact the look and feel of your space.

  • Flat skylights: These low-profile options are ideal for contemporary spaces and provide a seamless look, especially when placed strategically.
  • Lantern rooflights: These offer a touch of architectural interest and allow natural light to flood in from multiple directions, perfect for larger rooms or areas that require extra brightness.

• Seek Expert Guidance: Consulting a builder or architect experienced in roof light installations can be invaluable. They can assess your specific space, recommend the optimal size and style based on your needs, and ensure proper installation for a beautiful and functional outcome.

Remember, the ideal roof light size depends on your unique project. By considering these additional tips and consulting a professional, you can make an informed decision and transform your space with the perfect amount of natural light.

Unveiling the Perfect Roof Light Solution

In conclusion, don’t let roof light sizing overwhelm you! Consider structural impact, light distribution, size options, cleaning access, style, and privacy. Utilize the bonus tips on sizing, styles, and seeking professional advice to make an informed decision. Embrace natural light and transform your space!

How Yoop Architects Can Help

What we do at Yoop Architects to integrate roofing with the existing structure of the house is to create roof lights. Team will do the following:

Space evaluation and determining recommended size and placement.

Building regulations and energy efficiency compliance.

Customized designs to suit the home’s characteristics.

Collaborations with reputable suppliers for all materials.

Ready to Brighten Your Home?

Thinking of installing roof lights at your premises? Let this complete guide take you from concept to completion while making the project as seamless and illuminating as possible.

Call Yoop Architects now to discuss your project and live brighter!