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For many years the construction products industry has operated on a remarkably high degree of trust. Architects have trusted manufacturers to understand the regulations that apply to their products. Building control professionals have trusted that published performance data accurately reflects how products have been tested. Contractors have trusted that a Declaration of Performance genuinely demonstrates […]

Beneath The Surface: Why Steel Choice Matters In Conservation Rooflights When specifying a conservation rooflight, most conversations understandably focus on appearance. Flush fitting details, slim glazing bars, sightlines and planning compliance tend to dominate discussions, particularly on listed buildings and heritage projects. But there is another question that deserves just as much attention: What is […]

Rooflights and G Values – Why one size doesn’t fit all When specifying rooflights, architects are often faced with a balancing act between daylight and solar control.  At the centre of this decision lies the Solar Factor, commonly referred to as the g value.  While it is tempting to assume that lower g values are […]

There is a great deal of discussion at the moment about “British values”. The phrase is used often, and in many different contexts, but rarely is it clearly defined. Yet if you step back and look at the built environment around us, those values are already there. Not written down, not debated, but physically embedded […]

Balancing Heritage Design with Modern Performance When specifying conservation rooflights, performance has become just as important as preserving the character of the building. Today, that is only part of the story. As expectations around energy efficiency, Building Regulations and year round comfort continue to evolve, architects and homeowners are being asked to balance two demands […]

Over the past decade, the specification of rooflights in historic and sensitive buildings has evolved significantly. Advances in performance, detailing and thermal efficiency have broadened what is possible, while planning authorities and conservation officers have become increasingly familiar with rooflights as a legitimate way to introduce natural light into traditionally challenging spaces. Alongside this progress, […]

In recent years, the phrase “heritage-style” has become increasingly common in planning submissions, product literature and specification documents. It is usually intended as reassurance – that a modern intervention will sit comfortably within a historic context. But for those working regularly with listed buildings and conservation areas, it is worth asking a more fundamental question: is heritage something […]

When it comes to specifying a rooflight for a high–end residential project, it’s often the finer details that make the biggest difference. Stella Rooflight already provides architects and homeowners with a beautifully authentic conservation aesthetic, paired with reliable opening mechanisms that mount on the frame. For most homes, this actuator design offers exactly the right […]

When the government launched its latest wave of retrofit initiatives — from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) to the Great British Insulation Scheme — the goal was admirable: improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s housing stock and accelerate progress towards net zero. Yet the recently published audit findings reveal widespread ECO4 retrofit failures in […]