Brandi Henson 
Article Summary:
“Look up. What do you see?
For most people, the answer is their ceiling, perhaps visible past some gloriously original timber beams.
What that opaque space represents, however, is potential. The potential to install a roof glazing system and expand your view of the outside world, increase the volume of natural light flowing into a space, and incorporate a spell-binding architectural feature that will surely leave your guests speechless – or at least quite impressed!
You might, as you sit there now, be on the verge of implementing such a concept, but you’re not quite sure you’ve weighed up all of the benefits and taken into consideration any drawbacks.
In this blog post, we outline both the arguments in favour of installing a roof glazing system and those that are against it, inviting you to make a balanced decision and perhaps even inspiring you to take an enthusiastic leap into the world of structural glazing
Ready to learn more? This blog post should make things crystal clear.”.
Introduction
A roof glazing system is where form meets function, and innovation knows no bounds. Picture a home or building bathed in the soft glow of natural light streaming through its ceiling. The concept offers not only illumination, but an invitation to gaze skyward and embrace the world beyond.
Architects everywhere are adopting this feature into their designs. Whether those are modern office spaces or rustic farmhouses, the transformative potential of overhead glazing cannot be understated.
If you, too, would like to incorporate a roof glazing system into your design – perhaps to increase natural light levels in a space or frame an impressive vista outside – it is important to understand both its benefits and the things that you might consider as drawbacks. Before we explore exactly what they are, let’s start by defining what we mean by a ‘roof glazing system’.
What is a roof glazing system?
A roof glazing system is a modern architectural feature whereby windows are installed directly into the roof structure of a building. As a result, natural light from the outside can flood the room below, creating a bright, airy space that has a tangible connection to the sky above.
Because a glass roof can come in many different forms – beneath the two umbrella categories of ‘fixed roof glazing systems’ and ‘opening roof glazing systems’ – you can use one to provide additional ventilation, harness an awe-inspiring view, improve a building’s energy efficiency, and even create a captivating focal point.
You might, for example, choose to install a modest single-paned rooflight above a seating area, allowing you and your guests to gaze up at the night sky. Alternatively, an angled glazed roof system capping your home can frame views of the surrounding landscape perfectly.
While the difference between a fixed roof glazing system and an opening roof glazing system is quite straightforward and – some might say – obvious, it is still important to define the two because their unique characteristics can shape your project and determine how they are deployed.
What are the different types of roof glazing systems?
The difference between the two types of glazing roof systems is almost entirely functional. Which one you choose will depend on the purpose of your project and the likelihood that you or your client will need to make use of the movement.
A fixed roof glazing system
Fixed roof glazing systems consist of stationary glazed panels that are unaccompanied by moving parts. They are ideal for scenarios in which ventilation is not a primary concern, such as lobbies, atriums and stairwells where maintaining a sealed environment is essential for controlling temperature, humidity, or air quality. Typically, a fixed roof glazing system also requires significantly less maintenance than its moveable counterpart, so is ideal for commercial purposes or when positioned somewhere that is difficult to access easily.
An opening roof glazing system
On the other hand, an opening roof glazing system provides you with full control over ventilation and airflow within a building. Let’s say that you’ve just come home from a long run in the park and you would like to cool off; opening your roof glazing system allows you to do exactly that, without throwing all of your windows open. With the assistance of modern technology, you can also link the opening and closing of your system with temperature and humidity sensors, ensuring that your space is always comfortable and – of course – bright.
A third option: Bespoke
When it comes to choosing the perfect glazed roof system, there is a third option: bespoke. This is reserved for specialised requirements – such as an irregular roof shape – that would benefit from customisation. By combining elements of fixed and opening systems, as well as incorporating additional features such as curved or multi-faceted glazing, a bespoke roof system enables you to create a design that is truly distinctive and innovative.
What are the benefits of a roof glazing system?
Roof glazing systems play a prominent role in modern architectural projects everywhere. While they might take some careful planning to get them right, the benefits they can bring are numerous. Here are just a few of the most important positives.
An abundance of natural light
If you were to ask an interior designer what they think the most important element is when designing a space, their answer is likely to be natural light. Natural light has a transformative effect on interior environments, creating a sense of openness, warmth, and vitality. It not only illuminates the space but also enhances the colours, textures, and materials within it, bringing them to life in ways that artificial lighting simply cannot replicate.
Far from being static, the natural light that your space enjoys is ever-changing with the world outside. At sunset, you might find your reading spot bathed in pink hues that pull your attention away from the page-turner in your hands; and on cloudy winter mornings, the light will be far paler, but no less captivating.
Aside from simply changing what your space looks like, natural light can also have a transformative effect on your health, happiness and productivity. To illustrate that fact, a study at Cornell University found that there was an 84% drop in sight-related headaches and eye strain when workers were exposed to natural light in the workplace, while studies have also shown that workers were 15% more creative under similar conditions.
Passive ventilation
If your chosen glazed roof system incorporates ventilation to allow the passage of air from inside to outdoors, you and its occupants can enjoy markedly improved air quality. In fact, studies have shown that the air outside is two to five times less polluted than that which is contained within our buildings – so it is very important to maintain constant circulation. That passive ventilation can be achieved by a range of features including operable vents, louvres, or automated systems – all of which can be integrated into a roof glazing design.
With passive ventilation in place – whether that’s part of a fixed glazing system or a flexible one – you may also notice that your home or commercial building becomes more energy efficient because you are less reliant on air conditioning units. Furthermore, by ditching artificial appliances (including lighting that is no longer needed thanks to the abundance of natural brightness), you are improving the building’s sustainable credentials, something that is only going to become more important as we continue to navigate the ongoing climate crisis.
A connection to the outdoors
When we are inside, such as on cold and wintry days, our view of the outside world is often limited to small windows – like the portholes on a ship. In short, we tend only to enjoy glimpses of the surrounding landscape when we are positioned in a favourite chair or stood surveying our exterior domain.
With a glazed roof system in place, you can enjoy a significantly closer relationship with the outside world. You might glimpse a sparrow hawk darting across the sky in search of its songbird prey, a buzzard navigating summer thermals, or simply a starling murmuration – one of nature’s many wonders. Alternatively, if birds aren’t your cup of tea, and you are in a more built-up area, you might enjoy the swaying of nearby trees or observe the passing of clouds as they make their migratory journey across your sky.
What are the drawbacks of a roof glazing system?
Like with all things, there are a few considerations to take into account when installing a glazed roof system.
You will spend more time looking upwards
We would all like to be a little more grounded. If you choose to install a roof glazing system, this is far less likely to be achieved because you will find yourself regularly staring out at a constantly changing skyline. Your attention might drift away from conversations at dinner parties or whatever you are supposed to be watching on the television, but it will always be brought back by the words ‘What are you looking at?’ – to which you might simply and dramatically reply ‘nothing, and everything.’
You may need to clean the glass
It’s no secret that glazing can accumulate dust and dirt. That build-up can lower visibility and requires regular clearing. You might entrust the job to specialists, or you could choose to install self-cleaning glass as part of the system. While this sounds too good to be true, it exists and it is very effective. A thin layer of a hydrophilic substance, typically titanium dioxide, coats the glass, causing any water to spread out, transporting dust and dirt to the edges.
An increased awareness of the weather
If you are currently reading this blog post in the UK, it will come as no shock to learn that the weather here is not always glorious. Some days, when the sky is filled with endless stretches of dull rain clouds, it can be downright foul. Unfortunately, by incorporating a glazed roof system into your design, it is going to be much harder to hide from inclement conditions, and you are likely to become an expert in meteorology – whether you like it or not!
Conclusion
A glazed roof system can flood your space with beneficial natural light, give you unparalleled access to the outside world, and gently filter out any pollutants within the building. It can even clean itself! If your architectural project is a cake, a glazed roof is surely the delicious cherry on top.
This article was written by William Messenger on behalf of Cantifix, one of the leading architectural glazing specialists in the UK. As well as creating innovative glass products, they also collaborate on research into the impact of natural light on our health and well-being.
