Technical

Motors and Sensors

One option with all of our lanterns is to install thermostatic and rain sensors that control the opening and closing of the glass panels. We do recommend that a qualified electrician installs these units.

Please find below instructions, diagrams and wiring instructions for these units:

Wiring

Control Switch (Retractive)

Thermostatic / Rain Controller

Controller with Rain Sensor (1-4 zones)

TF Remote Controller

Chain Motor (Actuator)

Manual Openers

Double Glazed Units

Building regulations require glass to be a U value of 1.6 or less. Our standard is 1.4. The minimum value is 1.0, which is the Planitherm 4s with Argon.

Inner Glass Panel

To meet building regulations, the inner glass has to have a coating on the inside face of the double glazed unit (inside the glass unit).

We use Low E / Softcoat (St Gerbain) glass U value 1.4 – which has a slight blue tint. It has a better U value than K glass.

You cannot have totally clear glass.

Outer Glass Panel

Solar control and self cleaning outer glass also have slight tints and this in turn fractionally increases the tint of the finished double glazed unit.

Where solar control and self cleaning are both required we normally use Pilkington Activ Neutral glass which has a slight but neutral tint.

To achieve a lower U value (better unit insulation value) Argon gas filled units reduces the U value by 0.2.

The best U value for double glazed units would be 1.0 (Planitherm 4s glass with argon).

Other Notes

To cut ultra violet light out (UVA) laminated 6.4 mm glass will stop 99 % of UV. This is used to stop fabrics and antiques fading. It also helps mildly when combined with a toughened layer of glass to cut down noise transmission (dissimilar materials help break up the soundwaves). For extreme noise ‘Acoustic Glass’ is available.

Triple Glazed Units

We can provide triple glazed units at a U value 0.9. Please ask us for more details.

h2>Standard measurements for roof lantern

Roof Pitch – 30 degrees
Sidelight height (where applicable) – 400 mm
Rafter width – 40mm

Timber

Utile / brazilian cedar or equivalent hardwood timber classified as durable / very durable.

Paint

We use advanced microporous paints and stains, which we have used very successfully over a number of years. The finish is satin white as standard. Coloured finishes are available on request (at small extra cost).

Opening Sash and Skylight Furniture

Where applicable, good quality brass or chrome fitting can be provided. Provision can be made for electric remote control opening.

Glass

Standard specification – Double glazed, air-filled units (4/16/4) with toughened inner and outer leaves conforming to current British Standards. As standard we use a K glass inner leaf which gives a U value 1.6. A whole range of specialist glass is available (softcoat which has U value of 1.4, antisun, argon filled etc).

Listed buildings and those in conservation areas may be exempt from building regulations for their glass specifications.

Safety

Pilkington T glass used achieves class A impact safety performance to BS6206:1981. Note: in the future references to BS6206 in BS6262-4 and relevant building regulations (e.g. part N in England and Wales) are likely to be superceded by BS EN 12600.

Glazing Cappings

As standard we supply white powder coated aluminium cappings with E.P.D.M seals which provide a maintenance free finish. If required, painted timber cappings (with E.P.D.M seals) can be supplied at no extra cost.

Opening Skylights (applicable to roof lanterns without glazed sidelights). Powder coated aluminium.

Note: Coloured paint finishes can also be provided at additional cost. We do have our own colour range but if a specific colour is required we can match your RAL colour or equivalent.