Everything you need to know

Know the Difference: Frameless Views vs. Frameless Rooflights

by Roof Maker

In the world of home design, the pursuit of natural light often leads homeowners and architects to consider installing rooflights.

Among the various options available, frameless rooflights have become increasingly popular for their sleek, modern aesthetics. However, not all “frameless designs” offer the same performance and durability. In this post, we explore why Roof Maker’s Luxlite®, with its frameless views from the inside paired with robust construction, stands out as a superior choice.

What Sets Roof Maker’s Luxlite® Apart?

Roof Maker’s Luxlite® rooflights were developed to blend minimalistic aesthetics with maximum durability.

While they provide a frameless view from the inside, they are constructed with a slim thermally broken frame. The external frame enhances the longevity of the rooflight in a few really important ways.

  1. Most importantly, by encasing the glazing unit it adds weatherproofing – protecting the glazing unit and your property from water ingress.
  2. It protects the fragile edges of the glazing units from sideways impacts which could damage or break the glass.
  3. The frame acts as a solid border, distributing load and enhancing the rooflight’s ability to withstand external pressure such as high winds.

On the subject of weatherproofing, Luxlite® is designed with a built-in flashing apron which offers superior water dispersion. And the entire frame has a marine-grade powder coating, protecting it from the harshest of UK weather events for many years.

Cross section of a Luxlite rooflight, and associated benefits.

Install Process

The flashing apron and the lightweight yet strong aluminium frame combine to enable a really simple install procedure. We even supply the brackets and screws you’ll need. We’re confident that a capable builder, with the correct equipment can install a Luxlite® rooflight within 10 minutes.

In contrast, a “frameless” rooflight is essentially just a glazing unit. So the install process will naturally put more of the responsibility for weatherproofing and load bearing support on to the builder.

A Warranty You Can Trust

At Roof Maker, we manufacture all of our own glazing units in the UK and recently joined the prestigious Made In Britain organisation.

We have observed that many imported glazing units often have exposed primary seals (the material used between the individual panes of glass). This leaves the seal susceptible to UV damage, which will result in quicker degradation and eventually failure.

In contrast, not only are Roof Maker’s unit seals 80% deeper than the industry standard – all our glazing units are manufactured with a decorative border to protect the seals from UV damage and ensure durability. This border is added during the glass toughening process, forming it directly and permanently into the top pane.

And that’s why we confidently stand behind our products by offering a 20-year unit seal warranty.

We’ve been in business for over 23 years. And with our founding Directors back onboard, you can be confident that we’ll be here to support you in the unlikely event that you ever need to make a claim against our warranty.

luxlite pitched rooflight case study
Two Luxlite pitched skylights installed on roof

Visual Aesthetics and Practical Benefits

The aesthetic appeal of having a rooflight that offers unobstructed views cannot be overstated. However, Roof Maker’s approach ensures that this aesthetic does not compromise the practical benefits and quality.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Choosing the right rooflight involves balancing aesthetic desires with functional needs. Roof Maker’s Luxlite® offers the best of both worlds, providing the modern look of frameless glass with the reliability and durability of a framed system. Whether you are renovating or undertaking a new build, consider how the quality and performance of your rooflight will impact your living space in the long term.

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