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Roof lights

Enhancing Safety and Natural Light with Filon’s Fixsafe at Wood Henry & Sons Farm

Building Products Index Ltd Rooflights Leave a Comment

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Project Overview

Filon, one of the UK’s market leading manufacturers of GRP rooflights, recently provided its innovative and patented rooflight replacement system, ‘Fixsafe’, for a project at Wood Henry & Sons Farm. The Filon Fixsafe system enables contractors to replace rooflights from inside the building, eliminating the inherent risks associated with accessing fragile roofs.

Wood Henry & Sons Farm, part of the esteemed Crown Estate, faced significant issues with its old and deteriorating GRP rooflights. Green & Heritage Roofing, a contractor based in Halifax had successfully used Fixsafe on previous projects and was confident in its ability to safely and effectively address the farm’s needs. In collaboration with SIG Roofing and Green & Heritage Roofing, Filon identified the specific profile required for the project and provided a comprehensive Fixsafe specification. This collaborative approach ensured that all project requirements were met with precision and efficiency.

Solution & Benefits

For this project, 22 No. Filon Fixsafe kits were supplied which included the new Big Six GRP rooflights, sealant and unique fasteners specifically designed for timber framed buildings. The new GRP rooflights were Filon DR (double reinforced) nominally 2.44kg/m2, providing extra reinforcement and enhanced strength along with an SAB Class 3, BROOF (t4) fire rating, ensuring compliance with building regulations and Filon Protect UV surface protection to provide long-term durability.

The patented Fixsafe system allowed for the replacement of the old rooflights entirely from within the building, not only minimising the risk to contractors but also reducing the need for extensive safety measures typically required for working at height on fragile roofs, making it a very cost-effective solution.

Filon Fixsafe offers several key benefits that made it the ideal solution for Green & Heritage Roofing at Wood Henry & Sons farm:

  • Safety: By replacing the rooflights from inside the building, Fixsafe eliminates the need to access fragile and dangerous roofs. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents and enhances overall site safety.
  • Efficiency: The system is designed for quick and easy installation, minimising disruption to the farm’s operations. The internal installation process is streamlined, reducing project timelines and labour costs.
  • Cost savings: Safe access and work equipment costs were greatly reduced as there was no need for:
    1. Edge protection scaffold
    2. Crawler boards
    3. Internal safety netting
  • Durability: Filon Protect UV surface protection to the weather face of the sheet provides long-term durability and expected life-span of more than 30 years.
  • Enhanced Natural Light: The natural lighting within the farm was dramatically improved with the new Filon GRP rooflights, creating a brighter, safer and more welcoming environment.
  • Compliance: The new GRP rooflights with a sheet of double reinforced nominally 2.44kg/m2 with SAB Class 3, BROOF (t4) fire ratings ensuring strength of sheet and conformity with Building Regulations.

Client Feedback

Chris Hopkins, Managing Director at Green & Heritage Roofing expressed his satisfaction with the Fixsafe system:

“When using the Filon Fixsafe system to replace the existing rooflights, it was like night and day. Wood Henry & Sons Farm commented that it was amazing the fact that before it was so dark in their barn, but now it looks like somebody has put bright lights on! Sanderson Brown, the architectural practice responsible for the project, was also really impressed with how the Fixsafe system worked and the difference that the new Filon GRP rooflights made to the building’s natural lighting.”

Conclusion

The successful installation using the patented Fixsafe rooflight replacement system at Wood Henry & Sons Farm highlights the product’s effectiveness in ensuring safety and improving natural lighting. This project demonstrates the significant benefits of using innovative solutions in building maintenance, setting a benchmark for future projects within the industry.

For further information, please see www.filon.co.uk or email to sales@filon.co.uk

Luma aluminium flat rooflights…Made-to-measure. Easy to install

Building Products Index Ltd Aluminium Windows, Windows Leave a Comment

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Luma flat rooflights are elevated, fixed, flat roof lanterns with a sleek and contemporary look. Whether its replacing, or even adding a new flat roof extension, adding Luma will totally transform any space.

Weather-resistant powder-coated frame
Luma is built to withstand everything the British weather can throw at it. Its aluminium frame is powder coated for durability and has a UV resistant, weather-tight seal.

Luma flat rooflights come in a choice of finishes. Opt for a standard black or white frame or choose from a range of painted colour options.

Available in square and rectangular designs

Luma flat rooflights are made to measure to perfectly fit any space or style. Available in square and rectangular designs in widths available from 500mm to 1400mm with a maximum projection of 3200mm. Add just one rooflight, or consider adding two or more for a large extension.

Luma flat rooflights are suitable for many projects, such as existing or new flat roof extensions, garage conversions, new builds and even garden rooms.

Better by design

Innovation is at the heart of our Luma flat rooflights. We’ve built-in exclusive, market-leading features that come as standard to bring you a premium-quality product that performs excellently.

  • Thermally broken and glazing options for excellent energy efficiency

Luma’s aluminium frame has an integrated thermal break, which reduces heat transfer. And it’s available in double-glazed and triple-glazed options, with U-values of 1.3 W/m2K for double and 0.92 W/m2K for triple-glazed.

  • Slimline modern profile

The sleek aluminium frame and unique glazing mean there are no chunky frames or painted borders.

  • Tinted laminated glass options

Luma is available with neutral or tinted glass.

  • Secured from the inside

The only flat rooflight which is fixed from the inside for added security. 

  • Integral drainage system

The outer frame includes a unique drainage system that allows moisture to drain away. 

  • Self cleaning glass

Self cleaning glass that washes away any dirt when it rains.

Easy to install and delivered straight to site

Luma flat rooflights are made to order in our factory, then delivered straight to site. They’re easy to install, helping you complete the job quickly, with no fuss and no mess.

Find out more

Download the Luma launch leaflet here or watch our handy video guide to find out more.

Interested? Speak to our experts at your local Eurocell branch. Alternatively, simply call us on 0333 005 6525, email us at enquiries@eurocell.co.uk or visit: eurocell.co.uk/luma

More Options to see the sky as Eurocell launch Skypod Plus

Building Products Index Ltd Rooflights Leave a Comment

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1_LRIn the latest addition to its Skypod range, the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U glazing and roofing systems has launched the Eurocell Skypod Plus.

The three designs in the new premium roof lantern range offer a choice of grey, white and black outer frames – the last of which was released in 2019 as the Eurocell Skypod Black Edition.

All feature the same aluminium ridge, rafters and top caps that provide exceptional weather performance, rigidity and all-important UV stability to reduce colour fade over time.

For fabricators and installers, Skypod Plus represents yet another option to take to style conscious homeowners looking for a way to bring natural light into flat roof extensions. It also provides a way to meet growing demand in commercial settings such as sports clubs, restaurants and schools, where grey and black frames in particular are enjoying a huge surge in popularity for the way they blend in with single ply roof coverings

Skyport External 07_LRSkypod Plus is available in square, two-bar and three-bar configurations, all with a 20 degree pitch, and five self-cleaning glass colour options. Customers can choose between sourcing in bar length or kit forms. And as an additional feature, grey and black Skypods can be ordered with a choice of a smooth matt black or a smooth gloss grey internal and external finish to create a truly architectural touch.

Eurocell maintains the new  aluminium Skypod Plus offers outstanding value for money against other options on the market and provides a real ‘wow’ factor, to any home.

Eurocell_Skypod_Acute_Internal_3_LRMeanwhile, installers will welcome the opportunity it brings to supply products that are proving extremely attractive to homeowners and which are straightforward to install.  Advanced features, such as thermally broken ridge and ring beams to prevent condensation, practically eliminate call backs, making each installation more profitable and hassle-free. And as you would expect, Skypod Plus carries the standard 10-year guarantee to cover defects in materials or manufacture offered on all Eurocell products.

The popularity of lantern roofs in both the domestic and commercial markets has soared over the last few years. That trend shows no signs of slowing down, helped no doubt by the continuous innovation of products like Skypod. By responding to demand for even more premium solutions with Skypod Plus, Eurocell continues to open up new opportunities for their trade customers.

For more information about the Skypod Plus range, visit www.eurocell.co.uk/skypodplus or call the Eurocell Customer Care Team on 0800 988 3049.

Astroglaze walk-on rooflight helps transform outside space in central London

Building Products Index Ltd Rooflights Leave a Comment

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XGDyRN5IThe Project

Architect Sara Bondia lived in a first-floor apartment in central London with no outdoor space. Right in front of her kitchen window lay the roof of the ground-floor extension. Keen to spend some time in the open air, Sara decided to convert that roof into a terrace for her family. The terrace would need to be stylish yet functional and suited to their needs.

The Requirements

IZznnRBQSara applied for planning permission to renovate the exterior space, incorporating new wooden flooring and a combination of stylish glass and wooden balustrades to preserve neighbours’ privacy. She would also replace an existing walk-on rooflight that occupied most of the terrace surface.

Sara sought a supplier that could deliver a tailor-made rooflight that met the project’s exacting requirements. A large walk-on solution was needed, measuring 1550mm x 2132mm, which would meet stringent building regulations. Additionally, to maintain a flush surface with the new wooden flooring, a minimum frame height was required. Sara struggled to find suppliers because it was a non-stock item. However, after much online searching, she found NDC.

The Solution

CnQshMPYAdept at delivering bespoke solutions for a wide variety of residential and commercial projects, NDC supplied an Astroglaze walk-on unit for the project in the specified size. To maintain privacy for both Sara and her neighbours below, the glazing was fully sandblasted and delivered with a Ritec easy-clean coating for straight-forward maintenance. The textured finish also ensures suitable grip for those walking on the rooflight surface – essential as the balcony would also be a play area for her young family.

XBgo_J3gFrom a design perspective, a white border was chosen around the glazing while the fixings were delivered in a bespoke polyester powder-coated finish of black/grey in RAL 7021. The white border and grey/black fixings set off the colour and texture of the wooden decking well, with a standard black border considered too dark and harsh, creating too much colour contrast to be in-keeping with the overall design scheme of the balcony.

The Conclusion

Fw_ogm5sThe result is a now much-loved and often-used balcony, giving Sara and her family sought-after outside space.

“I’m delighted with the new balcony,” says Sara. “Before, we had no useable external space and had just two small windows in our living and kitchen areas. Now the apartment has large glazed doors and you can walk out into this big open area outside. We use it all the time, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s transformed the way we live and has been particularly brilliant during the hot summer evenings.”

fn-uXOloRegarding NDC’s involvement in the project, Sara says: “The NDC team was extremely supportive. As our requirements were very particular – especially considering the size and weight of the rooflight needed – I had a lot of questions. Due to the large size and the resulting weight, a new steel structure had to be created on top of the roof as it couldn’t be supported by existing rafters and joists. I was also struggling to find a solution with the minimum frame size required to make sure that there wouldn’t be a step between the rooflight and the decked flooring. All of this had to be taken into consideration and NDC was well-equipped with the technical information and know-how to answer these questions and responded quickly to all my enquiries. The team was proactive and very supportive, and the quality of the solution is fantastic.”

Actual Product Supplied:

Bespoke: 1 x Astroglaze walk-on unit 1550 x 2132mm, polyester powder coated in RAL 7021 (black/grey).

Glazing: Fully sandblasted for a textured finish, with a white border and a Ritec easy-clean coating for ease of maintenance.