Total Installer May-June 2019

Step by Step
CONSERVATION AREAS: STAYING ON
THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROOFLIGHT REGS
With over 10,000 conservation areas throughout England, and each local authority across
the country responsible for at least one area, the renovation or construction of new build
properties within these locations is continuing to increase in popularity. For installers, this
may initially present a difficult challenge as they not only have to fulfil the personal tastes of
the homeowner, but also meet all requirements outlined by the local council. Sabahudin
Medic, Operations Director at Roof Maker, explores how professionals can ensure they are
compliant with all relevant regulations, whilst also giving a step by step guide on how to
install its new Conservation Luxlite model.
Introduced in the late 1960s, conservation
areas place additional development control on
building projects in order to enhance and
preserve the history of the area. With this in
mind, the renovation or new build project should
help to improve the existing building and overall
impression of the area, whilst also helping to
preserve the structure that is already there.
According to the Planning (Listed Buildings and
Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the quality of the
build materials is of great importance to maintain
the distinctiveness and visual appeal of the
location. With regard to replacing windows and
rooflights in particular, the new building products
should replicate the originals, although under
permitted development, there is the opportunity
for varying products to be installed.
However, installers must check there is not an
Article 4 Direction on the property, which removes
the right for permitted development such as
installing rooflights or windows. As always, relevant
building regulations must also always be referred to.
Whilst the visual finish of the product should
replicate that of the original, there is the
opportunity for installers to add contemporary
benefits to the build by installing innovative and
technologically advanced solutions. For example,
by fitting a conservation skylight that is triple
glazed, the overall thermal efficiency of the
Above: Roof Maker’s Conservation Luxlite rooflight. Contact Roof Maker: www.roof-maker.co.uk
“Installers must check there is not an Article 4
Direction on the property, which removes the
right for permitted development”
property can be improved. With some rooflights
offering a Ug-value as low as 0.6w/m²k as
standard, or even as low as 0.2w/m²k if Roof
Maker’s specialist Ultimate Performance Reflex
Glass is specified.
Roof Maker’s latest Conservation Luxlite rooflight
is specifically designed to replicate the original
Victorian cast iron skylight, featuring a slim
shaped split bar that is constructed of high
quality aluminium for better weathering and
aesthetics. Unlike existing conservation skylights
where the split is sandwiched between the glass
panes, Roof Maker’s split is structurally bonded
to the glass to eliminate the presence of a cold
bridge, significantly minimising the risk of
condensation forming and retaining the best
possible thermal performance.
70 TIJULY/AUG 2019 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST