CURVED/VAULTED BESPOKE ROOFLIGHTS: ENGINEERING FLUID LIGHT

Design & Function

Each curved rooflight is individually fabricated to radius, using cold-bent or heat-formed glass depending on curvature requirements. The result is a smooth, continuous glazing surface that enhances daylight penetration and sheds water naturally, eliminating the need for excessive structural framing.

Curved units can be designed as barrel vaults, domes, or elliptical forms, suitable for commercial atria, pool enclosures, or residential extensions. The curvature improves load distribution, allowing thinner glass assemblies without compromising strength.

Construction

Typical configurations employ laminated, toughened safety glass, bonded with ionoplast interlayers for superior structural integrity and post-fracture performance. Depending on performance criteria, units may be double or triple glazed, incorporating Low-E coatings and argon-filled cavities to deliver U-values as low as 0.6 W/m²·K.

Frames are custom fabricated from thermally broken aluminium or stainless steel, following the glass contour for a flawless fit and continuous weatherproofing.

RIDGE ROOFLIGHTS: LINEAR DAYLIGHT & STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY

Ridge rooflights — often called roof lanterns or ridge glazing systems — follow the line of a pitched roof, introducing continuous daylight along the highest structural axis of the building.

Design and Integration

Typically installed along the apex of dual-pitched roofs, ridge rooflights use angled glazing sections meeting at a central ridge beam. The design maximizes daylight while maintaining weather resistance and structural rigidity.

Their linear form complements both heritage refurbishments and modern flat-to-pitch conversions, offering a discrete means of bringing balanced daylight to deep interior spaces.

Technical Construction

Ridge rooflights are typically fabricated using thermally broken aluminium profiles or stainless steel frameworks, with glass specified to meet load and thermal criteria.

Key performance features include:

• Double or Triple Glazing with Low-E coatings.

• Structural Silicone or Mechanical Fixings for seamless joints.

• Optional Opening Vents for natural ventilation.

• Condensation Channels and Thermal Breaks integrated into framing.

The geometry ensures water drainage along roof slopes while distributing live loads efficiently through the ridge beam and rafters.

ORIEL WINDOW ROOFLIGHTS: PROJECTING LIGHT & SPACE

Oriel window rooflights combine the transparency of glazing with the projection of architecture. Installed as cantilevered glass boxes or bays that extend beyond the roofline or façade, they transform static walls into light-filled volumes.

Structural Concept

An oriel rooflight is typically constructed as a frameless structural glass assembly, where vertical, horizontal, and roof panels are bonded using structural silicone or mechanically restrained via hidden fixings. The resulting enclosure projects from the main building envelope, often cantilevered from a steel or laminated timber frame.

The roof panel — acting as a small-scale rooflight — may be double or triple glazed, with laminated glass for safety and impact resistance. This configuration creates a panoramic bay or reading nook that appears to float in space.

Performance

These systems meet BS EN 1991 load requirements for snow and wind, and incorporate thermal breaks and Low-E coatings to maintain comfort. When combined with self-cleaning glass, maintenance is minimal despite the exposed geometry.

Architectural Effect

Oriel rooflights offer an experiential connection between occupant and environment — extending views upward and outward while capturing sunlight from multiple angles. In dense urban settings, they provide both additional space and invaluable daylight penetration.

PYRAMID BESPOKE ROOFLIGHTS: GEOMETRIC PRECISION & PERFORMANCE

Design Concept

Each pyramid structure consists of multiple inclined glass facets, meeting at an apex to form a self-supporting glazed assembly. The angle and pitch can be tailored to architectural intent, optimizing light penetration while controlling solar gain and water run-off.

Technical Specification

Modern pyramidal systems use structural silicone glazing and aluminium framework systems to create slim sightlines and unobtrusive junctions. For performance, units often employ double or triple glazing with solar-control coatings and warm-edge spacers to minimize thermal bridging.

Optional vented apex modules provide natural ventilation and smoke extraction where required by Part B of Building Regulations.

Applications

Pyramidal rooflights are ideal for atriums, stairwells, and galleries, creating sculptural focal points that flood spaces with diffuse natural light. The geometry allows rainwater to drain efficiently, minimizing maintenance and prolonging service life.