Polycarbonate Rooflights for your home

 

Polycarbonate roof lights offer an excellent solution to let in natural daylight as well as allow better ventilation in a building. We can truly call it a solution, because polycarbonate, a material commonly used for construction, is affordable, strong, and very versatile. It is a light and flexible material that can be shaped into various forms quite easily, making it ideal for this very purpose. These roof lights are available in a variety of pre-cut sizes, or, depending on the manufacturer, can be custom made according to the specifications of the customer.

In the past, as much as customers wanted roof lights, installing them was very nearly not worth it, as they caused as many problems as benefits to one’s home or place of work. They were often responsible for water leaks during poor weather, and they also wreaked havoc with a room’s temperature. They either caused too much heat loss or, conversely, made a room much too warm, which in turn could cost the homeowner a significant amount of money. At times they would cause damage to the insulation of a roof, or be the reason for too much glare and ultraviolet rays entering a room. Yes, daylight is ideal, but there’s such a thing as too much daylight causing damage since roof lights let in three times as much light as windows do. Roof lights could also cause bad ice dams during winter.

 

However, the advent of polycarbonate rooflights has proved to be a game changer. Many of the problems associated with roof lights have practically disappeared because of this new material used to manufacture them. Today’s models keep you and your family protected to up to 98 percent of harmful ultraviolet light while letting in maximum daylight (if that’s what you prefer). They can also be considered as almost unbreakable and shatterproof, with their impact strength up to 250 times better than glass. The material is so versatile that it works with all kinds of flat roofing material, even asphalt, single ply, Sarna fill, lead, felt or even GRP membranes.

 

Unlike the limitations of traditional glass roof lights, these new roof lights are manufactured in different shapes—pyramid, trapezoid or dome, and can be purchased in circular, rectangular or circular sizes. They can also be ordered with kerbs or upstand options to optimise insulation and may be fixed or vent-type to let fresh air in when needed or desired. Some manufacturers offer roof lights that come with poles so that they can be manually opened and shut; or other units that can be operated electrically. They come in a variety of diffusions that allow light in, ranging in brightness or opacity. Truly, a customer can specify which combinations of these options he or she prefers and then order the roof lights tailor fit for them.

 

Another advantage of these roof lights is that they actually cause you to save energy, which is the complete opposite of what how old-fashioned roof lights were. Home and building owners end up saving on lighting and heating expenses because of the reduced running costs. And many users of these roof lights have commented on how easy the installation process is.

 

Furthermore, if the building where these roof lights are installed catches fire, these roof lights open up and allow heat and gases to escape, thus greatly minimising damage. They are also hail and wind resistant, and most manufacturers have a 10 to 25-year warranty for them. They are recommended for places where natural daylight is highly advantageous—such as schools, healthcare facilities, and even retail and commercial areas.