How do you choose the best rooflight for your building project?

Natural daylight is an essential element of modern architecture. It not only improves the well-being and productivity of building occupants, but also contributes to lower energy costs and a more sustainable property portfolio. As no two building projects are the same, there is no universal daylight solution.

At Arcolux, customisation is the standard. But how do you determine which rooflight or glazed roof structure best meets your specific project requirements? In this article, we guide you through the four most important considerations.

1. Determine the function of the building

Choosing a rooflight always starts with the function of the space below. After all, a production facility has different daylight requirements than the entrance hall of a hospital.

• Industry and production: For factories and industrial buildings, a curved rooflight or sawtooth roof is often the ideal choice. The asymmetrical design of a sawtooth rooflight maximises natural daylight without exposing employees or machinery to unwanted glare or direct solar heat.
• Offices and atriums: In prominent architectural spaces, aesthetics and maximum light distribution are key. A spacious ridgelight creates an architectural statement while providing even, natural illumination. This type of rooflight is also often cost-effective due to the use of profiles running in a single direction.
• Connection to an existing building: Does the rooflight need to be installed directly against a higher adjoining façade? In that case, a mono-pitch rooflight, with its single sloping surface, is the most logical and structurally robust solution.

2. Choose the right material: glass or plastic?

The supporting structure of an Arcolux rooflight is always made from high-quality, low-maintenance aluminium. For the translucent sections, however, you can choose from various types of glass or impact-resistant plastics.

• High-performance glazing (HR++ or HR+++): Provides excellent light transmission and superior thermal and acoustic insulation. Glass is scratch-resistant and can be supplied with solar-control or dirt-repellent coatings. For even better insulation performance, BENG glazing can also be used.
• Plastic (polycarbonate or acrylic): An excellent alternative when weight or extreme impact resistance, for example against heavy hail, is an important consideration. Multiwall polycarbonate also provides very good insulation values and is often a cost-effective option for large industrial spans.

3. Focus on insulation and sustainability (BREEAM/LEED) 

 The thermal transmittance (U-value) of your roof construction is crucial to the overall energy performance of your building and to achieving sustainability certifications such as BREEAM or LEED.

Choose a rooflight with a high level of thermal insulation. Arcolux applies modern insulation techniques in accordance with EN ISO 6946 to prevent condensation and minimise heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.

4. Integrate ventilation and safety into the design

A rooflight is more than just a window in the roof; it can be a multifunctional part of your building management system. During the design phase, consider the following functional additions:

• Natural ventilation: From manually operated ventilation grilles to fully automated thermal vents connected to a wind and rain control system (WRS).
• Smoke and heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV): For fire safety, the removal of hot smoke and gases is essential. Our SHEV systems are fully certified in accordance with the stringent EN 12101-2 standard.
• Fall-through safety: Safety during roof maintenance should never be an afterthought. Make sure the structure and glazing comply with EN 14963:2006 requirements for soft and hard body impact. For additional safety, fall protection profiles can be integrated into the structure in accordance with GS-BAU-18 or EN 14963.

Design your ideal daylight solution

Choosing the right rooflight involves balancing aesthetics, structural requirements and regulations. Because Arcolux designs and manufactures everything in-house, the possibilities for both custom-made Specials and standard shapes are virtually endless.

Want to know more or need advice?

Would you like to know which rooflight is best suited to your building project? Feel free to contact us for no-obligation advice or a project-specific quotation. Together, we will design the ideal daylight solution for your building.