Flat rooflights are becoming more and more popular for several reasons. One reason is that the design of modern flat roofs allows installation without any significant loss in insulation performance. The relatively shallow projection of most flat rooflights also means that they can be installed on most types of garage roofs or homes without reducing headroom too much, which is particularly useful if the garage space is required to be kept clear for automotive use. A further advantage often cited with regard to flat rooflights is their low profile appearance when compared with skylights.

So what do we mean by a flat rooflight?

A ‘flat rooflight’ (also known as an inverted rooflight) is a skylight on your garage or house which allows you to look up and see the sky. Skylights are normally seen as desirable features on homes, but for some people, they can be problematic due to their excessive heat gain in summer and potential for allowing rain into the building envelope. The obvious solution has been to produce an alternative design, with a lower profile – hence the term “flat” rooflight. An inverted skylight is more like a window set upside-down under your ceiling. Once installed you can stand directly underneath it and not even notice it’s there! This makes flat rooflights popular with those who want the light but don’t like the idea of a traditional skylight. The main problem with flat rooflights is that they must be installed into the ceiling construction and then sealed at each side to retain weather protection and provide thermal insulation. However, there are durable sealing systems available specifically for this type of installation which work extremely well and do not affect the aesthetics of the skylight. Flat rooflights can come as either fixed or opening units, with standard window-type hinges to allow you to smoothly move them for cleaning from inside. Standard fittings include 15mm toughened glass which provides good insulation properties without sacrificing too much light intensity or clarity. Fittings can be designed as tube-in-tube to give greater strength to the material, and avoid any issues caused by thermal expansion. Tube-in-tube fittings are particularly important for fixed units because they needn’t be moved. The flat rooflights may also have an inner purlin or additional support tube added to prevent heat transfer through the skylight itself. It’s also possible to add a secondary anti-glare panel mounted on hinges so it can be opened to allow ventilation without allowing rain penetration.