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HI all, I have used this forum for years but finally have to pose my own question rather than simply leech off others… I am replacing the existing felt flat roof on my 1970s kitchen extension with a warm roof build up of (existing) 18mm ply deck / Alutrix vapour barrier / 150mm PIR / 18mm ply / EPDM. I would like to add a flat roof light while I am at it which brings me to my question(s)… The roof dimensions (exterior) are 3.8m x 4.2m and the joists are 150 x 50mm at 40cm centres spanning 3m. I have currently narrowed down to two options which are as follows: 1. Install a 1m x 2m rooflight which would mean cutting 4 joists - I was planning to treble the joists at both ends and double the headers on the long sides (sistering joists and using hangers/fixings etc as outlined in building regs). 2. Install 2 x 1m x 1m roof lights which would mean cutting two joists for each - in this case I would only double the joists at either end but still double the headers. This design would leave two whole joists between the two roof lights. Option 1 is both cheaper and easier in that the EPDM could be a challenge with two roof lights to work around and clearly one window is cheaper than two! However, i feel that option 2 is better structurally but I would really appreciate some input as to the proposed design for option 1. One corner will also sit above a window lintel which is unavoidable in either lay out! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks in advance, Will

For long lasting quality and superior finish who is the best? I’ve heard Keylite have to be thrown into the mix as well. I’ve researched this a lot online and speaking to various people with very mixed results. From what I gather(not 100% if this is all true or not though) Velux holds the market with approx 60% with Fakro and Keylite taking around 10%. I gather Velux used to have the patent(or exclusivity at least) on various aspects of their design and build but when a few of these expired Fakro and Keylite were created and decided to copy and create their own versions. It sounds like Velux’s handle and catch opening system is one of the last remaining patents they have left and the best one on the market. Both manufacture Conservation rooflights with the vertical glazing bars which is what I was specifically after but only Fakro do them in triple glazing option annoyingly. I’ve read that Fakro are far superior and more expensive but then I’ve read that Velux are now a lot more expensive and the much better luxury end product. Which is it? Both provide pretty decent warranty’s approx 10 years. I’ve read that both have issues with electrics, especially Velux. But they use slightly different technology with Fakro using Z Wave which can be more reliable for multiple windows on one remote etc. I guess my question is, based on your own experience, who is the best one to go with? I need conservation style rooflights with triple glazing and good thermal and acoustic insulation as well as electric opening/closing. Velux do what they call “Best Experience”(67 pane) triple glazing option for optimum thermal and noise reduction which is perfect. This doesn’t come in conservation style so I would have to add the glazing bars. Fakro do a P5 triple glazed conservation window at a slightly lower price. I cannot decide which to go for to be honest but want the one which going to last the longest and not have any issues or problems.

Ever since we moved in we have always been asked "is it two bungalows or one?" Weirdly it was designed exactly like the main picture (which was the start of our build as they were doing the footings). I think it was all a bit of a ploy. Roll back to early 70s when it was some sort of large vegetable patch. Planning permission was refused for two bungalows, various amendments and someone designed the bungalow as it is today, one bungalow suspiciously looking like two bungalows separated by a flat roof. I think they planned to build it and then attempt to get it split into two bungalows but it never happened. We have always wanted to somehow 'connect' up the roof and to be honest it's all been a bit vague on how this would be achieved. Mid build architect and builder got together, another £200 for some more beam calcs and over yesterday and today it is all looking a bit more like one bungalow. This pic is from the scaffolding and you can finally see the roof joining with the large flat roof extension. From the canal/bridge it now looks far more connected though this pic doesn't do it much justice (yesterday). And from the garden looking into our kitchen: What we really like is our ensuite, which, in the absence of any external walls will have a nice fixed rooflight on the flat roof just above our toilet/sink vanity unit which will be slightly raised from the ceiling (not the best pic).

With the solar roof lights being only a little more than the electric Integra roof lights does anyone have any advice on: 1. which is more expensive to install (cost of builder fitting solar versus cost of electrician wiring the electric ones) 2. any problems long term with the solar ones if anyone has experienced issues with battery life or any other experience/advice which might sway my decision making. We'll have a mix of manual (for those easy to reach), solar (one large rooflight that doesn't come in electric so we have to go solar) and possibly the others integra. 3 of the roof lights will have the black solar reduction ornings fitted for hot summer days. Thank you

My timber frame will be going up in a few weeks and i have 3 fixed velux windows in the roof. My difficulty as that my timber frame company doesn't fit these as part of their remit and neither does my glazing company. Where am I best off trying to get these ordered and fitted without being charged a fortune for a relatively small job?