Relying on electrical power for lighting day and night can create a very big dent in the finances of any premise’s owner. When the windows are not enough to allow day light into the house however, many home owners are forced to rely on this. Use of flat roof domes however is a better and cheaper option. These are used on flat roofs to provide maximum daylight into dark rooms as well as regulate ventilation. Whether it is a home extension, an opening to a roof garden or any other areas of installation, the proper choice of a rooflight will matter greatly in determining how effective they are.

There are two types of roof lights depending on their ability to open or not. Fixed ones do not allow for the opening of the domes whereas opening ones allow for their opening. If the sole need for the equipment is only for providing light, then fixed ones are ideal but if there also is a problem with ventilation in the area in question opening ones are ideal as they will serve both purposes. As for the shape, there are several from which one can choose including rectangular, circular and pyramidal. The choice for any of these can be made depending solely on personal preferences.

Flat roof domes should never look out of place with all other windows in the house and should be of similar materials whenever possible. Metal is a good choice when these are to be installed on period properties, contemporary houses and barn conversion among other similar property. Steel and aluminium are the most commonly used metals. Wood may be a better choice for homes due to their relatively low cost and their ability to fit in with any styles of homes. Maintaining the wood on the outside may however not be an easy task and therefore alloys of timber and aluminium are best. Whatever material you settle on, an important factor to consider is its ability to drain away water and durability while complementing the roof as much as possible.

Ease of cleaning roof windows needs also to be considered. This will be determined by the area of a building on which it is to be installed and its accessibility for cleaning. There is the kind of glass that needs to be cleaned manually but is of course cheaper whereas there is the kind that is termed as self-cleaning but more expensive. If the area to which the flat roof dome is to be installed is not easily accessible, the self-cleaning kind is ideal. These work by their surfaces reacting with the sun’s rays to break down dust which would otherwise clog the glass rendering it useless in providing light into a the building.

How about the glazing? The type of glass chosen will greatly depend on the set regulations. For instance, glass used on roofs that are higher than 5m heating must be done to strengthen them. Tints may also be used but remember they compromise the amount of light reaching the area. For maximum light, clear glass is the best choice but when not much is needed tinted may be used.