Q: What support does Lumen offer to architects, home owners, local authority specifiers and builders?

A: Whilst the needs of our customers may vary, the end results should always be the same. As such we believe that not only do our rooflights have to meet the highest standards but also the service that we provide.

From an architects perspective, we appreciate that our roof windows will ultimately reflect your design. Our experienced team are able to work with you to produce technical drawings and discuss installation queries. As a UK manufacturer we are able to offer rooflights in a variety of materials with several glazing options to meet tight deadlines.

Local Authority specifiers can take confidence from previous projects involving conservation officers and planning officers on projects overseen by the likes of National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Scotland. The Lumen range of roof windows provides products to suit both period refurbishments or modern new build projects. The Lumen range of Conservation Rooflights is fast becoming recognised as a market leader and a trusted brand for quality and service. Other products such as the Lumen Contemporary and Lumen Flat Roof range offer solutions for local authority buildings such as schools and hospitals.

As a building contractor/installer you can be assured that whilst Lumen rooflights are not the cheapest available, they do offer exceptional value for money. Manufactured to a high specification the entire Lumen range are produced in the UK to ensure product consistency. Lumen rooflights are simple to fit, reduce call backs and are available from stock. The ordering process is made easy and full installation support is provided.

The homeowner can be assured that Lumen skylights are not only manufactured to exacting standards in the UK but that our customer service is there to support you from the first enquiry through to the purchasing and beyond with our lifetime guarantee*. We care our about our rooflights and our customers and appreciate the investment made when choosing Lumen. We are not simply box shifters and are always happy to discuss your projects and recommend resources or contacts that you might find useful. Our range of stock sized rooflights are avaible for next day delivery but should these not exactly fit your requirements, we can also manufacture bespoke roof lights to suit both traditional or contemporary settings. *See guarantee details in our download section.

Q: I have both slate and pantiles on my property. Will the Lumen rooflight be suitable for both?

A: Yes. The Lumen range of rooflights sit as well in slate as they would in a pantile finish. In addition to our range of steel framed conservation rooflights, we are the only company to also offer a traditional cast conservation rooflight. We can supply installation details for many different roof types so please call our team to discuss your project.

Q: We have just purchase a piece of land that we wish to build a new property in a traditional style.

A: Yes, the Lumen range of rooflights will add light and style to both period and modern buildings, in fact we have many clients building new properties and installing Lumen rooflights. As with all rooflight installations you will need to discuss the application of the rooflight with your local councils building control department, with particular reference to the Part L regulations.

Q: We will be installing Conservation style rooflights into our Georgian farmhouse and wondered how we would ventilate the rooms.

A: Our stock range of Lumen rooflights have opening casements. Each rooflight is supplied with a beautifully crafted winder mechanism that is available in either brass or chrome. These winders will push the opening section out to a maximum of 300mm. As you are able to control exactly how far the rooflight opens you can have as little or as much ventillation as you like.

Q: Can a top hung rooflight be used as a fire escape?

A: Yes, providing your required size complies with the necessary fire regulations (for details speak with your local building control officer). Please call us for details on cost and delivery.

Q: Can I purchase blinds for your Lumen conservation rooflights?

A: Our range of blinds has been specifically designed for Lumen, Lumen Link Light and Lumen Extra Light rooflights.

Q: Can the rooflights be fixed shut?

A: It is possible to fix the casement on our 12 stock sized conservation rooflights. Whilst these are adapted and are not supplied with a winding mechanism, the rooflights will still be supplied with the fixing plate at the bottom of the frame. Where bespoke rooflights are manufactured with fixed glazing, no handle plate is fitted. For further details on our bespoke designs, please call our office on 01409 255120.

Q: We have been advised that we might require planning permission for installation of a conservation roof window. Please can you advise.

A: We would always advise that you check with your local authority before installing Lumen conservation rooflights. There are many factors that will decide whether you are granted permission to use rooflights and if your property is Listed or in a Conservation Area you may find restrictions concerning the type of rooflight that is allowed.

Q: Do you offer a similar but cheaper version of your Lumen rooflight?

A: No. We manufacture our Lumen range of rooflights using a high specification of materials and associated items such as glazing. We continually assess our manufacturing processes to ensure that we are as efficient as possible to keep our prices realistic. It would be possible to save money by reducing the quality of the glazing, or removing the solid American oak liner or using cheap winding mechanisms but this would only reduce the overall quality of the product you choose for your home. Our aim is to manufacture products that will not only add value to your home but will last for many years to come. You can be sure that we will not cut corners or reduce quality simply to lower our costs.

Q: We are an architectural practice who has a client who requires some large glazed areas on a roof extension on a listed building. The sizes required fall outside of your normal rooflight sizes. Are you able to manufacture special sized roof lights

A: In addition to our range of standard size conservation rooflights, we do offer bespoke sizes. Rooflights can be made from a single outer frame with multiple opening or fixed sections. We can also offer a linking system to allow our standard sizes to be joined side by side.

Q: Does having a genuine glazing bar reduce thermal performance?

A: As we use a slender steel section for our glazing bar, the reduction in thermal performance is minimal. We believe that traditional rooflights should be as close to the original design as possible even though modern building regulations mean that some changes are required. Retaining an original glazing bar is one way to keep the appearance of the Lumen roof light as it should be. Not only does it look more authentic than those which are stuck on or put inside the glass unit, it offers greater strength to the opening leaf, something which helped the Lumen rooflight achieve a deflection of less than 1mm during the performance testing of BS6375.

Q: Do your range of conservation sky lights have a centre bar like my original ones have?

A: All of our traditional conservation skylights have a genuine glazing bar. This particular design feature is integral to the rooflight and not only provides a more authentic look but offers increased strength for the opening section.

Q: I have been told that Pilkington Activ can be easily scratched and should this happen the whole unit needs to be replaced. Is this true?

A: Suppliers that do not offer Pilkington Activ are often quick to dismiss the benefits of such a revolution in glass. The Pilkington Activ coating is applied as the glass is cooling down in the float process and is what is known as a Pyrolitic or hard coat. This happens at around 600 degrees C.

Q: In your brochure you quote a clear viewable area, an internal rafter and an overalll size. Please can you explain how I size the rooflight required.

A: As the Lumen rooflight is fixed into the sides of the rafter, this is normally the most critical size. The clear viewable size is the glazed area that is viewable from the inside. This measurement takes into account the fitted interior liner that is positioned inside the opening section. The overall size is given to inform the installation team just how much space is required on the outside of the roof. However, much of the outer section will be covered by the tiles or slates so this is not to be taken as the viewable size from outside.

Q: We are currently converting a barn from the late Victorian period and would like to install a range of rooflights on the south elevation. We are concerned that we keep as close to the original as possible. Are your rooflights authentic to this period.

A: We have been manufacturing cast iron and steel products since 1893. Our Lumen conservation rooflight is an authentic copy of a 19th century cast pattern. When you purchase a Lumen rooflight from Tuscan you are assured of a genuine product from a company with a history in making rooflights.

Q: I am an architect who wants to specify Lumen rooflights. How can I be sure the specification will not be broken by the builder?

A: Not all rooflights are the same and this is also true with conservation roof windows. First and foremost, conservation style rooflights should compliment the property in which they are installed and should be sympathetic to the original architecture. Whilst there are many so called conservation rooflights available, there only a handful that can comfortably pass this requirement. After that, you should consider aspects such as the internal aesthetics, the functionality of the skylight and its components. Sustainability and energy efficiency are also major considerations in todays marketplace. With this in mind you can focus your specification to key benefits offered by Lumen rooflights that are not found with alternative products. Do simply specify a conservation rooflight, specify Pilkington Activ Neutral solar control self clean, specify a 16mm argon gas filled cavity and S4 optitherm. Request a solid American oak interior liner and a solid brass winder with 20mm thread and 1.5mm pitch. Many other manufacturers will offer alternative, less effective options but if you insist on the highest quality specification, your contractor will only be able to source this from Lumen. Better still, why not insist that your rooflight is manufactured entirely in Great Britain? That way you can be assured that your project can only benefit from Lumen rooflights.

Q: Why should I choose Lumen conservation skylights over other traditional rooflights available on the internet?

A: Whilst there are many suppliers of traditional skylights we believe that our attention to detail makes the Lumen range of rooflights stand out from the rest.

Q: How do I decide which rooflight to choose? I have looked at a number of websites and they all seem to make the same claims about their products being the best.

A: You'll no doubt be familiar with the saying 'No such thing as a free lunch' and this is particularly true when comparing the rooflight market. Our prices reflect the quality of manufacturing and materials used to produce our roof windows. Others may claim the same standards and benefits as Lumen but are usually cheap. Any facts we produce about our products can be independantly verified and supported by our partners in the UK. U Values - Our glass is produced by Pilkington in the UK who are widely regarded as the worlds leading manufacturer of glass and glazing products. Pilkington provide supporting datasheets concerning all the glazing used in our products. Self Clean Glass - It really is self clean and not simply an easy clean coating. It will also last the entire life of the glazed unit so you don't have to worry about trying to climb up on the roof after 3 years to reapply an easy clean coating. Information about this revolutionary technology can be found on the Pilkington website www.pilkington.co.uk Winders - Manufactured in the South West of England from high quality British brass. The increased diameter and close pitch thread helps the mechanism operate smoothly. Frames - Manufactured and hand finished in the UK, our customers are welcome to visit the ISO9001 factory to see the process for themselves. We use Zintec steel which is a much more expensive than recycled but offers significantly more protection against rust and twisting. Whilst you might be told that others manufacture in their own factory, it's always worth asking which country that is what are the reasons behind it. BS6375 Weather Performance - Full report can be downloaded from our website. Saving the environment - We cannot make any significant claims about this subject however, we do our bit by manufacturing in the UK and therefore avoiding transporting stock across the world. At Lumen, we have nothing to hide, no make believe facts and figures and we do our absolute best to provide the products our customers deserve. Our prices reflect the quality of the materials used and we believe that the Lumen range offers significant value over alternative suppliers for just a few pounds more. The internet is full of information but you can be sure that ours is genuine; feel free to ask!

Q: Is your product environmentally friendly?

A: There are many factors that can determine how environmentally friendly a product is. About 20% of the steel used in our Lumen roof lights is recycled. Whilst this amount may seem low compared to other manufacturers it ensures that the quality of the material used in the Lumen range of steel skylights is always high. By using a better quality steel you can be sure that the product you are purchasing will last a long time and therefore reduces the need to use more material replacing it in a few years. If you measure environmental impact on energy efficiency then our product is one of the highest performing conservation style rooflights available. Whilst some of our competitors products achieve the required standards of BS6375 it is worth asking exactly how each product performed under test conditions as there are many variables within the test that will differentiate between an average performing rooflight and an excellent one. We are proud to say that the Lumen range of steel rooflights achieved the highest class 4 rating for air permeability. Our full test report can be downloaded on the website along with an explaination of each test. As a result of the test performance achieved by the Lumen, we can say with confidence that our product is also one of the most energy efficient rooflights you can buy. In addition to our excellent performance, we have decided to keep our manufacturing based in the UK. Whilst this has the obvious benefits of having control over our quality and development there is another factor that should be considered. Whilst our competitors are happy to boast of energy ratings or applaud the government’s objectives to reduce carbon emissions; importing products from their factories in the Far East or Eastern Europe by plane or truck actually helps to increase the carbon footprint produced by those products. Whilst we still have a long way to go ourselves, we are doing what we can to keep our environmental impact to a minimum and support organisations such as SPAB, The Woodland Trust, Weald & Downland Museum and World Wildlife Fund to ensure that both our built and natural environments are continue to thrive.

Q: You provide lots of different sizes, which ones do I need?

A: We provide a range of sizes in our literature and on our website. The most commonly used size for installation is the ‘Internal Rafter’ dimension. The width dimensions are critical as the fixing lugs are located on the sides of the rooflight however, we do provide around a 55mm tolerance in the quoted internal rafter. This gives the installer an option with the plasterboard. Quite often the installation involves the plasterboard being boxed around the rooflight. However in certain applications the winder may snag on the plasterboard at the bottom of the rooflight thus reducing the distance the winder can open the casement. If your rafters are particularly deep and this is likely to happen, it might be necessary to fit the bottom section of plasterboard at an angle. Providing the tolerance in our internal rafter height makes this process easier. If you do not wish to taper the plasterboard, you can simply add an additional timber piece across the head or cill to fit tight against the rooflight liner. As the end user, you will need to pay attention to the clear viewable size as this is the dimension you have upon completion of installation. These sizes are provided from the internal face of the American oak liner. The overall size is, as you would expect, the size of the complete rooflight. Please remember that much of the outer frame is covered by your slates or tiles, leaving an unobtrusive low profile rooflight in your roof. Should you require any sizing information prior to ordering or installation, please call us on 0845 050 8746.

Q: Do you have any advice concerning rooflights in a coastal location?

A: We produce the rooflights to the very best of our ability. As such we are proud to offer our customers an exceptional guarantee. Whilst the guarantee gives assurances about our commitment to you and the quality of the product, there are some exemptions. Firstly the location of your property is very important. Our zintec rooflights are treated with an Interpon APP120 primer before the application of a Cromadex Extra Life coating system for C3 Environment. As well protected as our products are the harsh salty environment of a costal location is likely to result in the faster deterioration of the protective coating and ultimately the metal. As such we do not recommend installation of our standard range in coastal regions or areas which are subject to a corrosive or polluted environment. If your property is located in one of these areas, please talk to us about our range of paint options or stainless steel rooflights. As with almost all exterior building materials, you should undertake regular maintenance to ensure that the product continues to work efficiently. We supply a copy of our guidelines with the order but please contact us on 0845 050 8746 should you require additional copies. Paint standards - ISO 12944 Paints & Varnishes - Corrosion Protection of Steel Structures by protective paint systems (parts 1-8) (1998) ISO 12944 Classification C3 = Urban and industrial atmospheres. Moderate sulphur dioxide levels. Production areas with high humidity C3 definition of coastal is less than 5000 metres from the sea.

Q: I am interested in buying a skylight but I am not familiar with much of the terminology used on the various rooflight websites. Can you help explain what these mean?

A: There are many different ways to describe skylights and the components used in installing and operating them. Not only this but the term skylight is also referred to as many different things such as rooflight, roof window, sky light or occasionally people refer to them as Velux, who are of course is a manufacturer of skylights.

Actuators - are the mechanisms used to electronically open and close the skylights. Our standard product is the Kato and a rain sensor is available for this system. Other systems are available; please speak to one of the team for further details.

Baseplate - this is the part of the rooflight that contains the hinges for the casement to be bolted onto. The fixing lugs are located on the baseplate along with the American oak interior liner. This piece of the skylight sits between the structural support timbers.

Bespoke Skylights- this term is used to describe a rooflight which is custom made to your specification. This can be our range of conservation skylights, our contemporary rooflights or our range of roof windows for flat roof applications. You provide the sizes, we manufacture the rooflight.

Casement - this is the opening piece of the rooflight which contains the Pilkington double glazed glass units. This section is fixed onto the baseplate hinges. The casement is viewable once fitted in the roof

Cill - bottom section of the Rooflight

Coastal Location - We produce the rooflights to the very best of our ability. As such we are proud to offer our customers an exceptional guarantee. Whilst the guarantee gives assurances about our commitment to you and the quality of the product, there are some exemptions.
Firstly the location of your property is very important. Our zintec rooflights are treated with an Interpon APP120 primer before the application of a Cromadex Extra Life coating system for C3 Environment. As well protected as our products are the harsh salty environment of a costal location is likely to result in the faster deterioration of the protective coating and ultimately the metal.
As such we do not recommend installation of our standard range in coastal regions or areas which are subject to a corrosive or polluted environment. If your property is located in one of these areas, please talk to us about our range of paint options or stainless steel rooflights.
As with almost all exterior building materials, you should undertake regular maintenance to ensure that the product continues to work efficiently. We supply a copy of our guidelines with the order but please contact us on 0845 050 8746 should you require additional copies.

Condensation - condensation is the water that results from the conversion of water vapour in the atmosphere. The air in our homes always contains water vapour, which is usually invisible. The warmer the air, the more water vapour it can hold but there is a limit to the amount it can hold for a given temperature. Should you require additional information, please ask our team for a copy of the Glass & Glazing Federation fact sheet.

Conservation Rooflight - during the 18th century rooflights, in their most primitive form, were used to bring light into agricultural buildings. It therefore seems uncanny that todays rooflights are yet again providing an architectural design solution to the increasing trend of converting old or disused industrial buildings into domestic dwellings or business premises. Conservation rooflights are easily recognised by their low profile which means they sit flush and remain unobtrusive to the buildings original architecture. Another characteristic is their slender appearance as conservation requirements stipulate that a minimal amount of framework should be visible. This design feature becomes even more significant when rooflights are placed next to each other.

Contemporary Skylights - A stylish and streamlined roof window for customers who are seeking a more modern look for their roof glazing. The design remains low profile and unobtrusive whilst offering a high specification of energy efficient, self clean glazing

Escape Rooflights - although some rooflights are hinged on the side, our escape version are top hung to reduce any possible issues with light rain and to retain a matching appearance when installed alongside our standard range. Lumen escape skylights and are fitted with gas struts so the skylight stays open on its own accord. Supplied with a brass winding mechanism for daily use, the gas springs should only be deployed for emergency use. Further details can be found by clicking this link

Gas Struts- are pressurised cylinders that are attached to the rooflights so that they can remain open unaided in a similar way to the boot of your car.

Hand Winder- is the mechanism used to open and close the rooflights when the rooflights are within reach. Manufactured in the UK from solid brass these can also be supplied in a chrome plated finish.

Head Detail- is the top section of the rooflight

Jamb Detail-are the side sections of the rooflight

Linking bars-are the bars used to link skyflights together so that they are in continuous runs. Occasionally specifiers refer to these as Studio-Linked but we call them Lumen Link Light.

Listed building-is a building or other structure officially designated as being of a special architectural, historical or cultural significance. If your property is Listed you will need to work closely with your local authority before making changes to the building fabric. An excellent resource for Listed property owners

Non-Standard Rooflight-is a rooflight from our standard range that has a slight variation from others i.e. a different colour or a different glazing spec. Also see Bespoke.

Overall Sizing-the maximum width and length of the baseplate, much of which is covered by the tiles or slates.

Pitched Roof- is a roof structure where the roof is set at a slant. Our conservation skylights can be used between 17 and 70 degrees in slate and tile or 30 and 60 degrees in a pantile roof.

Pole Winder-is the mechanism used to open and close the rooflights when the rooflights are out of reach. Manufactured in the UK from solid brass these can also be supplied in a chrome plated finish.

Roof Window- is an architectural term for the frameset with glass which is fitted to an opening in the roof to admit daylight.

Rooflight- is another way of describing the frameset with glass in that is fitted to an opening in the roof to admit daylight

Self-Cleaning Glass- An important technological breakthrough was introduced to the UK in 2002, in the form of the worlds first self-cleaning glass, Pilkington Activ, considered by many to be an impossible dream. Pilkington Activ is effectively the same as conventional glass, but with a specially developed coating on the outside, that once exposed to daylight, reacts in two ways. Firstly, it breaks down any organic dirt deposits through a photocatalytic process, and secondly, when it rains, instead of forming droplets, the water spreads evenly over the surface and takes the dirt off with it. It is kinder to the environment than ordinary glass and it is the ideal choice for situations where cleaning will be costly or difficult.

Skylight-is another word to describe the frameset with glass in that's fitted to an opening in the roof to admit daylight.

Special Rooflight-is a sky light that is specifically designed according to the customers exact specification, see bespoke rooflight.

U-Value- often called the overall heat transfer coefficient and describes how well a building element conducts heat. Our standard Pilkington units have a U-Value of 1.2.

Viewable Sizing-is the unobstructed viewable area most notable the area of glass inside looking out. For Lumen products this is the measurement between the internal faces on the American oak liner.

Winding Crank-is used with the pole winder to open and close the rooflights when the rooflights are out of reach.

Q: Your rooflights are manufactured with Pilkington toughened glass, does this mean that you can stand on them?

A: Definately not. Toughened glass provides additional safety to ensure that any falling objects do not come through the rooflight into the room below. Toughened glass is designed to shatter in safe pieces to minimise the risk of injury.

If you need to stand on a rooflight it will require specialist glazing. Please speak to us for further details.

Q: Will the rooflights comply with Part L of the Building Regulations?

A: The double glazed units we use offer a centre pane U-Value of 1.1W/m2ºK which will comply with current Building Regulation requirements. The centre-pane U-Value is the U-Value determined at the centre of the glazing, i.e. without consideration of the frame or of the spacer bar at the edge of the glazing.

Q: You mention things like zintec steel, BS6375, argon gas and things like S4 Optitherm. I am a homeowner looking to buy traditional rooflights for a period property. What does all this jargon mean to me?

A: Some of our information may appear quite technical but it does make a huge difference and it really matters when you make what could be a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

Q: Are your Lumen traditional roof windows double glazed?

A: All of our rooflights are supplied with a high specification of glazing as standard. The units are manufactured for us by Pilkington who are widely regarded as the worlds leading producers of glass and glazing technology. For our rooflight units we specify a 4mm toughened safety outer leaf with Pilkington Activ™ Neutral self clean, a 16mm argon gas filled cavity and a 4mm inner leaf of Pilkington Optitherm™ S4 toughened. This provides our double glazed units with a U-value of 1.1WmK2

Q: Is it true that the original style of conservation rooflights originate from the Victorians?

A: Yes; the rooflight is not a new concept. During the 18th Century, rooflights were commonly used to allow light in agricultural buildings that were frequently dark and dingy areas. The rooflight is an ingenious concept that introduces natural light into a building discretely but effectively. They provide an even distribution of light to large low-level structures and can illuminate the dark areas in a room that windows could never reach. It’s uncanny that rooflights now provide an ideal design solution for introducing light into a building, as this was the Victorians original intention.

Q: Lumen Light or Lumen Extra Light or Lumen Cast Conservation Rooflight?

A: The Lumen Light offers a range of tweleve standard sizes which are available from stock for next day delivery. If you are working to a tight deadline these standard sizes can be linked together using our capping section. Linking the Lumen Light offers the benefit of increased light without the wait for a special to be manufactured. The range can also be adapted for escape purpose and use gas springs to hold the opening section open in case of emergency.

Q: Why Choose Lumen?

A: Here are just a few reasons to choose Lumen: Manufactured to ISO 9001 in Great Britain Manufactured from Zintec steel 24mm, Argon gas filled double glazed units Toughened Pilkington Activ™ Neutral self clean glass Toughened Pilkington S4 Optitherm™ glass Complies to BS6375: Part 1: 2004 for weather performance Genuine integral glazing bar Solid American oak interior liner Brass mechanism with 20mm diameter spindle Low profile to sit flush and remain unobtrusive to original architecture Range of standard sizes available from stock Bespoke options with 6 week delivery There is the excellent personalised customer service from our dedicated team. The Lumen range of conservation style rooflights - not all rooflights are the same

Q: Solid American Oak Liner - Why Not English Oak?

A: American oak is more sustainable yet offers all the qualities of English Oak. The pattern of the wood is slightly different but American oak will provide an elegant interior finish for your rooflight.