Replacing a rooflight can make a surprisingly big difference to a room, particularly when the existing installation is large, dated or no longer suits the property.
We recently completed a particularly impressive example in Norwich, replacing a substantial existing rooflight with a bespoke Korniche glass system measuring 5120mm x 2644mm.
At more than five metres long, this was considerably larger than a standard rooflight installation and required careful planning from our specialist flat roofing team. The finished result, however, shows just how much of a transformation the right replacement can make.
Replacing a Large, Dated Rooflight
The existing rooflight covered a significant area of the flat roof but its design gave the roof a fairly dated appearance.
Rather than simply replacing individual sections, the customer opted for a new custom-made Korniche glass rooflight designed specifically for the opening.
The difference is immediately noticeable. The slimmer, cleaner lines of the new system create a much more contemporary finish across the roof, while the large areas of glass allow plenty of natural daylight into the space below.
For anyone considering replacing an older rooflight, this is a good example of why it can be worth looking at the installation as a whole rather than simply trying to replicate what is already there.
A Bespoke Korniche Rooflight
Because of the dimensions involved, an off-the-shelf rooflight wasn’t an option for this project.
The new Korniche system was manufactured to suit the 5120mm x 2644mm opening and incorporates toughened blue glass together with an electrically operated opening vent.
We also installed new switchgear to operate the vent, allowing the customer to introduce ventilation without having to manually open such a large rooflight.
The combination of fixed glazing and the opening section means the installation doesn’t simply bring natural light into the room; it gives the customer practical control over ventilation as well.
Installing a Rooflight Into an Existing Flat Roof
With any rooflight replacement, fitting the glazing itself is only one part of the job.
The existing rooflight first had to be carefully removed before the new bespoke unit could be positioned and installed. Our flat roofing team needed to weather the new system into the surrounding existing roof so that the rooflight and waterproofing worked together as one installation.
The sheer size of this particular unit made that process considerably more demanding than a typical rooflight replacement.
It’s also one of the reasons we believe rooflights on flat roofs should be considered as part of the overall roofing system. However good the rooflight itself may be, the detailing around it has to be handled correctly if the completed installation is going to perform as intended.
Could an Older Rooflight Be Replaced With Something Similar?
If you have an existing rooflight that looks dated, has become difficult to maintain or simply doesn’t suit the room beneath it anymore, you don’t necessarily have to replace it with the same design.
As this Norwich project demonstrates, bespoke glass rooflights can be manufactured for very substantial openings and can incorporate features such as electrically operated ventilation.
Every roof and opening is different, so we would always start by looking at the existing installation, the surrounding flat roof and what you would like to achieve from the replacement.
In this case, the result was a dramatically cleaner roofline, a modern bespoke glass rooflight and a bright, open feel to the room below.
If you’re considering replacing an existing rooflight in Norwich or elsewhere in Norfolk, call us on 01603 418818 to arrange a free roof survey. We can take a look at the existing roof and talk you through the options available.
