Framed flat rooflights

Framed flat rooflights: design and installation choices

Bring daylight into your extension, kitchen or living space with a fixed glass rooflight. Choose the glazing and frame finish, then build a clear brief for supply or installation.

A fixed flat rooflight brings overhead daylight through a low-profile glazed opening. A framed product and a frameless-style product have different perimeter details. Both need compatible support and waterproofing. Neither a subtle glass edge nor a slim frame removes the need for a complete installation design.

Consider the room's orientation, maintenance access and the balance between daylight, privacy and solar heat. Request the exact glazing make-up and glass-only or whole-product performance required by the project. Standard dimensions, roof pitch and installation details belong to a particular system, rather than to roof glazing in general.

Framed flat rooflights for your project

Common enquiry briefs include kitchen extension, living or dining extension, replacement rooflight, other flat-roof project. Describe the intended use and the supporting construction so the supplier can assess the complete specification. Different applications can need different glass processing, fixings and installation details.

A complete framed rooflight

The frame, glass and seals work as one assembly. A thermally broken aluminium design helps separate the inside and outside metal sections.

Choose light, privacy and solar control

Clear, solar-control and satin glass give different results. Describe the room’s orientation and how you want it to feel.

Measure the right reference

The brochure’s standard sizes refer to the internal opening. Record what you actually measured so the supplier can check the kerb, frame and manufacturing dimensions.

What to include in a made-to-measure quote

Compare quotes using the same dimensions, quantities, finish, glass construction and installation scope. If you have a drawing or an existing specification, include its reference and identify which details still need advice.

• What do your dimensions describe?: Opening, kerb, frame and glass sizes are different. Record the reference you measured; the supplier will agree the manufacturing size.
• Glazing preference: An exact pane and cavity schedule will be agreed for the supplied rooflight.
• Glass appearance: Solar control and privacy are different requirements. Ask for a sample and the light transmission and solar factor for the proposed glass.
• Aluminium frame finish: Choose the requested finish; confirm a physical sample for colour-critical projects.
• Overhead glass specification: The complete build and intended location determine the safety specification. Include any designer's requirements in the notes.
• Thermal and solar performance: Glass-only and whole-product U-values are different. Put target values and their assessment basis in the notes.
• Roof and supporting kerb: Describe the roof fall, finished kerb width and height, membrane and supporting construction in the notes.
• Daylight or ventilation?: This product is fixed. If it needs to open, request a separate opening-system proposal.
• Supply and installation: Tell us about roof height, site access, lifting and waterproofing in the project notes.

Opening dimensions, kerbs and roof glazing

Record whether you measured the internal clear opening, external finished kerb, frame or existing glass. These are different references. Rooflight size charts and lantern ordering drawings must not be interchanged; the supplier agrees the manufacturing dimensions for the chosen system.

Holes, cut-outs, shaped edges and interfaces with hardware should be settled before manufacture. The finished glass construction and any coatings must suit the intended environment. A screen preview or concept photograph cannot replace a sample, survey or product-specific installation drawing.

Supplier checks before manufacture

• Confirm the dimension reference before manufacture. The researched size chart uses internal opening dimensions; do not use these as external frame or glass sizes.
• Agree the supporting kerb, roof fall, border coverage, edge protection and waterproofing using the supplied system’s current drawing.
• Confirm the exact overhead safety build, thermal performance and site wind and snow requirements. This fixed rooflight is not a walk-on product.

Requesting comparable glass quotes

Save the choices you know and ask for help with the rest. The quote basket records a specification request rather than placing a manufacturing order. A firm quote needs an agreed final build, dimensions, delivery arrangements and any installation or design work.

When comparing proposals, check that glass-only supply and supply with fitting cover the same scope. Ask who provides measurement, drawings, supports, compatible hardware, lifting access and finishing work. Keep the final approved specification with the order.