Are roof windows a good addition to a property?

You've probably seen roof windows advertised as a fantastic investment for your home – the perfect way to increase levels of natural light, reduce energy bills and even add value to your property. And there are good reasons why you should install these nifty devices on a new build or extension.

​Roof windows are cost-effective because they're already built into your property when you buy them. They can't be removed or blocked, so there's no chance of being excluded from using them.
 
With most of their panels made from glass, roof windows are often referred to as solar roof windows as they allow the sun's rays to penetrate your home during the colder months when light and heat are in short supply.
You don't need planning permission to install a roof window, although occasionally it may be necessary to apply for retrospective planning permission if the installation is not following the original planning permission.
 
If you live in an older house, can a roof window improve your home?
Yes, absolutely. They add light and space to a room which is highly invaluable. If you're adding an extension or loft conversion to your home - installing a roof window also allows the sun in during winter months, helping your heating bills.
 
Solar roof windows reduce bills by offering efficient heating. If you're planning on adding a new extension, loft conversion or even just a room extension to one side of your property, installing solar roof windows might help you reduce bills further still. Although, this also depends on the size of the property.
Installing solar roof windows is not only good for improving lighting conditions within your home; it can also help cut down on bills if you have an electricity-powered boiler or gas central heating. The main factors that affect how much a household spends on its energy consumption are: - Your type of fuel - i.e. electricity vs gas which affects cost significantly.
 
What is the difference between roof windows, skylights and sunrooms?
Roof windows are like skylights in the sense that they both let in natural light, but skylights cover the whole bathroom or kitchen area whereas roof windows tend to be smaller and mainly installed on the top of a single room extension.

Sunrooms are designed for cold climates. They're usually fitted with toughened glass so that heat stays inside all year round, and can be finished off with wooden exterior walls for extra insulation.
 
What are the popular roof window brands?
The popular roof window brands in the UK include Solarlux, Fakro, ECO+, Velux, RoofLite, Heritage, Keylite, Bryte and Roto amongst others. Velux is the most popular roof window brand in the UK.
 
How much does it cost to install Velux roof windows?
The average cost of installing a single Velux roof window is between £150 and £300 depending on the size of the window and labour costs. You may have to pay more if your property has unusual features or difficult access points. However, there are ways you can reduce installation costs. You'll benefit from a better estimate of total charges after getting an accurate measure of the area to be covered during our survey and plan phase. The average Velux roof window cost is between £350 and £600. Other brands' prices vary depending on the material used in manufacturing the window.
 
What are some of the different types of roof windows?
There are two types of roof windows – flat roof windows (also called skylights) and hipped roofs. Skylights have one or more transparent areas. A hipped roof has both transparent and opaque sections, with none being larger than the other. Flat - offers maximum light from above resulting in brighter spaces below but you can`t open it up. Hipped – allows you to choose where the light enters as two or three sides can be opened up at any time making ventilation easy.
 
How do you fit a Velux roof window?
Velux roof windows are easy to fit. Velux provides comprehensive fitting instructions with each window, plus a friendly customer service team is there to offer advice and support every step of the way.
 
To fit a Velux roof window, you need to follow these steps.

• Ensure that you have plenty of light where the new Velux will be installed.
• Remove any existing roof tiles or roof lights, if required. This is to ensure that your roof structure is ready to receive a Velux.
• Plan and mark the position for the Velux window in place by checking topographical details on a map, using graph paper or with a compass and step ladder.
• Check that your chosen location for the new Velux has been prepared correctly, including installing insulation between the rafters or joists and sealing any gaps around them with sealant tape.
• Seal all flashing on faulty or old windows as well as those around new Velux windows where required. This will ensure that water is directed away from any weathered woodwork and prevent damage caused by leaks in future.
• Cut out sloped wooden blocks ('rip-raps') where the roof window will be positioned to support it at the correct angle. You can then knock out any old nails or screws and replace them with new ones. Tack the Velux window in, bending the supporting bars around rips if necessary.
• If you notice any sign of water ingress around your windows, removing the timber and renewing it is necessary. This could mean using a small amount of wood filler to repair any gaps; applying a waterproofing agent such as Cuprinol Stainstop Plus; or replacing woodwork that has completely rotted away. Apply an anti-rot treatment such as Cuprinol Timber Shield, which is marked safe for use on preservative-treated softwood. If possible, apply the product from underneath the damaged wood to prevent damage.
• If timber is wet, dry it out by placing cardboard or a towel over the affected area and weighing it down with bricks or heavy objects. If water is freely dripping through holes in your roof then you may need to temporarily cover them with tin foil (not cling-film, which is not strong enough) until the situation has been rectified permanently.

 
The most challenging part of the job is removing the old roof window. If there is already a Velux window installed, you'll just need to remove the surrounding roof tiles. If not, it may be necessary to cut through the existing roof timbers to fit a new Velux window. You may need the support of your experienced local roofer.
 
The biggest risk when you're working on your roof - whether for repairs or improvements - is falling off. Any work you do up there must have adequate guarding around it to protect against falls of 1m or more.

To make sure the job's done properly, choose an experienced roofing contractor that specialises in Velux products to get the job done.
 
What are the benefits of a Velux roof window?

• Replacing an existing roof window with a Velux roof window can save you up to 30% on your household energy bills and have a payback time of fewer than three years.

• You get greater control over light levels - no more bright sunshine coming through the wrong bit at the wrong time, or heavy downpours flooding across the room. This makes life easier and helps reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.
• For many houses, it's easier to fit a new roof-light rather than just replacing the glass in an old one - but going for a better-insulated loft replacement is still good value if it keeps heat loss to a minimum instead of letting out warmth from inside. As with fitting any new windows, it makes sense to insulate behind the new glass as well. You can choose between self-adhesive foil or rigid polyisocyanurate foam board insulation - but either will cut heat loss by around 50%.
• The usual advice about fitting roof lights is that they should be correctly flashed in line with building regulations, and then installed in a ventilated space above suspended ceilings and loft hatches. This is now only recommended for very large roof lights (big enough to walk through) which are designed to ventilate their own space. Most smaller ones, such as those normally used for bathrooms or bedrooms, need to be sited on the underside of the existing roof slates so that water runs straight off them. A simple bath roof-light can be fitted from new in two ways: either supported on a sturdy frame made out of plywood and battens fixed to roof timbers; or by re-using the wooden ladders that lead up into a loft space.

 
At Bracknell Roofers, our team of roofing contractors have extensive experience installing roof windows in Bracknell. All our roof windows are manufactured in the UK by a leading company with over 40 years’ experience in producing some of the best-insulated roof lights on the market. These quality manufacturers use only high-grade materials to produce their products, which is why we would always advise you to stick to well-known and trusted brands like Velux for your roof window as it will help to retain heat in your home and keep costs down.
 
The materials that are used in Velux solar windows mean they're highly energy efficient. The toughened glass has an Energy Saving Rating (ESR) of A+ whilst the higher glazed panels have an ESR of A++. That means when combined with any insulation measures you may already have in place, you can expect to save around 20% on your heating bill.
 
The thermal efficiency of Velux roof windows is further enhanced by the highly insulating surround, which traps in heat and keeps warm air inside your home, even when it's cold outside. Both models have a double glazed system that works by dividing the panes up into sections meaning there are no joints from one pane to another. This helps cuts down on noise pollution too so less disturbance within your property.
 
Of course, any type of glass window must meet safety regulations regarding how many people can fit through it, as well as ensuring that it won't shatter if someone were ever to fall on it. These Velux solar windows all comply with these requirements meaning they're not only great for your wallet but also your family's safety.
 
The energy-efficient Velux roof windows can be fitted in a matter of hours rather than days and the savings made on heating and lighting bills will soon pay back any initial costs. So when it comes to investing in a roof window, don't hold out any longer. Keep warm in winter and stay cool in summer by having the light shed its way into your home using one of these solar roof windows.
 
If you have any questions or want more information then contact Bracknell Roofers by phone or online contact form. Our team will be happy to discuss your options, and provide advice and recommendations.