Have you ever stood in the Sistine Chapel and gazed up at Michael Angelo’s impressive fresco?
Aside from its breathtaking scale, the captivating interplay of light and colour transports you to a realm of awe-inspiring beauty. It is, therefore, perhaps no wonder that the experience regularly features on bucket-list blogs all over the internet, highlighting it as a once-in-a-lifetime moment that visitors are likely to treasure forever.
But what if instead of once in a lifetime you could experience a small part of that wonder and magic every single day?
Roof glazing systems offer precisely that opportunity, brightening the building, bringing the outside in, and capturing the beauty of the ever-changing sky above our heads.
Far from being just a novel talking point that guests might comment on as they move through your home, the addition of architectural glazing can, in fact, enhance your life.
It can do so in six very varied, equally valuable ways.
Let’s take a look.
Increased natural light
The benefits of natural light are abundant, and they mustn’t be understated. Its presence can help us to focus, be more productive, and enhance our psychological well-being. In fact, according to a study by Cornell University, workers who operate in an environment filled with natural light reported an 84% drop in sight-related headaches and eye strain, and another study showed that workers are 15% more creative in naturally lit surroundings.
A roof glazing system maximises the intake of natural light,like the ones found at Lonsdale Metal, allowing it to flood your living space. The strategic placement of glazing elements, such as skylights or roof windows, captures daylight from above, spreading it evenly throughout the room. This encouragement of natural light creates a brighter and more vibrant atmosphere, elevating the overall mood and energy levels within your home.
Improved energy efficiency
An increase in natural light, caused by the presence of a roof glazing system, can reduce your reliance on artificial solutions, lowering your energy consumption and, as a result, your bills.
It is a common misconception that the addition of glazing will result in heat escaping a building far more easily in the winter, and cause rooms to be uncomfortably warm at the height of summer. While previous generations of glass specifications and poorly fitted frames might cause these things to occur, modern glazing can incorporate technologies such as low-emissivity coatings, thermal barriers, and electromagnetic ‘smart’ control – whereby the glass can become tinted at the press of a button – to limit and control solar heat gain.
While an energy-efficient property might save you significant amounts of energy, it can also reduce your carbon footprint, improving your – or your client’s – environmental credentials.
Longevity
You might think, gazing up at a roof glazing system, that it can’t possibly last as long as a traditional roof. But with the right design, this isn’t the case.
Contrary to common misconceptions, a well-designed and properly maintained glass roof can indeed have a long lifespan. High-quality glass materials used in roof glazing systems are engineered to be durable, weather-resistant, and capable of withstanding the test of time. These materials undergo rigorous testing to ensure their strength and longevity in various environmental conditions, so you can be sure that your glazing will stand the test of time.
Connection with the Outdoors
We spend approximately 90% of our lives indoors. That fact is a privilege; no longer do we have to jog across vast and dangerous plains in search of mammoths or wildebeest.
But the statistic also illustrates a detriment to our well-being. By spending so long within four walls, often accompanied by digital screens, our bodies’ natural circadian rhythms are suffering.
Those rhythms relate to body functions and feelings that take place within a natural 24-hour cycle. Without access to the outside world, they become disjointed, stunted or missing, causing an imbalance in our mood or abilities.
Roof glazing systems are excellent passive enhancers of our circadian rhythms, gently reminding us that there’s a vast world out there that, with the glass’s presence, we can bring into our homes and offices in a sensitive way.
Despite its modern appearance, perhaps in the form of a stylish skylight, a roof glazing system can, in fact, return us to an ancient, more natural state – or certainly move us in that direction.
Visual Appeal
We touched on this point just a moment ago. There is no denying that a roof glazing system looks special, stylish, and sleek. But it would also be wrong to say that a system – such as a skylight or more extensive roof structure – is reserved for modern properties.
In fact, one of the great advantages of a roof glazing system is its adaptability to enhance heritage buildings as well as those that have been newly built. You might stand in a rustic farmhouse, surrounded by authentic stone walls, and gaze up to admire a panel of glazing above your head and the night sky beyond – punctuated by a million starts, or you might be sitting in the lobby of an office building, passing the time by watching the multi-floored activity above your head, backlit by the bright sky whose light glints off the surrounding skyscrapers.
The design of modern roof glazing systems is captivating, but the natural light flooding your project also enhances the colour and texture of your surroundings, making your interior elements truly come alive.
Increased Property Value
It’s tricky to attach an exact figure to the amount that certain architectural features can increase the value of your property, but the consensus is that things like a roof glazing system can give it a significant boost.
Why might that be?
Well, it is a feature that adds a touch of sophistication, uniqueness, and functionality that can set your property apart from others in the real estate market.
Several houses neighbouring yours might be similarly built, tastefully decorated and enhanced by things like a well-manicured garden, but it is things like a roof glazing system that can really set you apart from the crowd, captivating potential buyers with what makes your property special.
Just as Michelangelo’s brushstrokes transformed the Sistine Chapel, the addition of a roof glazing system transforms your property, brightening it and boosting its stylish appearance whilst also enhancing your mental well-being. With every glance upwards, you can enjoy your own work of art, without the need to travel to Italy!
Author’s Bio
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.
