Let's find what you're looking for

    Thermally broken skylights
    The BIG question

    arrow Back to blog 13th December 2017

    At Sunsquare, we’re still asked by some clients about thermal breaks, what they are and why they are such a necessity for homes and workplaces installing rooflights into their properties. Put simply, they will help your property stay warmer, drier and more energy efficient all year round.

    All of the industry leading rooflights we manufacture in-house at Sunsquare are made using a lightweight aluminium framework which saves a considerable amount of weight – both for transportation and the stress on a property’s overall structure. Furthermore, it’s a very strong and durable material, requiring minimal maintenance during years of use.

     

    Combating aluminium’s conductive properties

     

    Nevertheless, the one drawback of using aluminium frameworks for our BSI Kitemarked flat roof skylights is that aluminium is a very effective conductor of heat. Consequently, the framework can become a very large area of heat loss in colder, winter months, with heat generated internally transferred outside via direct transfer through the rooflight framework.

     

    In addition, if a rooflight is installed above a living space where humidity levels are somewhat higher than usual e.g. a bathroom or kitchen-diner, condensation risks forming on the inside of the aluminium framework. For rooflights without a thermal break, the humid air touches the cold surface of the aluminium frame and immediately turns into water droplets – a process known as cold bridging.

     

    Polyamide thermal breaks

     

    To negate the prospect of cold bridging occurring and to minimise the amount of heat lost from residential and commercial environments, thermal breaks have been adopted within the framework of industry leading rooflights to minimise the conduction of heat. The framework of Sunsquare’s fixed, walk-on and opening rooflights now feature polyamide insulating sections within the aluminium framework, acting as thermal breaks and a barrier between internal and external temperatures. The polyamide sections are designed to be fitted straight into the aluminium extrusion and rolled together to ensure a strong and durable structure whilst keeping the internal section of the aluminium framework separate from the external part.

     

    Low-emissivity glass units and argon-filled cavities

     

    With Sunsquare rooflight frameworks we also go one further by filling window cavities with argon gas to further improve internal insulation and prevent condensation affecting the unit. Furthermore, the frameworks are factory glazed with soft-coat low-emissivity insulating glass units which work by reflecting interior heat back into rooms below; helping property owners to reduce energy bills and the size of their carbon footprint.

     

    Thermal bridging and Part L Building Regulations

     

    Thermal breaks or bridging play an important role in ensuring new-builds and redeveloped properties meet Part L Building Regulations – regarding the conservation of fuel and power in new and existing dwellings – and the Code for Sustainable Homes. Buildings are required to meet minimum U-value levels of 2.00 (W/m²K) for rooflights, windows and doors as part of a new Target Fabric Energy Efficiency (TFEE) standard. This standard is designed to make new and existing buildings more energy efficient, minimising the amount of CO2 produced and protecting the wider environment for future generations.

     

    A quick note for would-be buyers: beware of unscrupulous companies advertising so-called ‘thermally managed ’ products. Marketers can be tricky about finding ways to make you hand over your money, and ‘thermally managed’ is just one example of deceptive language being used to signal a level of quality that isn’t there. Remember: only products which utilise proper thermal breaks can provide energy efficiency up to contemporary standards.

     

    Sign up for our whitepaper on building regulations

     

    Written to help architects, surveyors and home improvers alike understand every UK building regulations.

    Download Whitepaper

    Share this guide

    Want to know more

    If you want to know more about this or anything else then get in contact.

    Call us on 01922 714087

    Email sales@sunsquare.co.uk

    refine search

    All
    Events
    News
    U-Value

    28 April 2021

    Lowest U-Values in the skylight industry

    U-values are touted by companies as a selling point for their products. Until now, all skylight U-values are calculated in exactly the same was as a vertical window, which gives a false reading and misleads the client.

    Read morearrow
    The benefits of using BSI

    26 May 2020

    Desire for quality never stops

    In what has been one of the more traumatic times for British industry, Sunsquare, whilst not fully operational until beginning of May, have been busy during downtime. Our desire to continue to be the market leading in our field didn’t get locked down. Quite the opposite. Not only have we been testing product and designing, […]

    Read morearrow
    Self Cleaning Glass

    05 October 2019

    Thoughts on Brexit

    Obviously Sunsquare are not immune to industry trends, but it is comforting to see that the clients that have used our services over the recent turbulent months are citing quality and qualification as the reason for using the skylight budget with us.

    Read morearrow
    The importance of environmental management

    27 August 2019

    The Demise of a British Great | R.Durtnell and Sons Ltd

    We were very sad indeed to receive a letter a few days ago for the official receivers for R. Durtnell and Sons Ltd.

    Read morearrow
    Aero Pyramid Skylight

    10 August 2019

    Sing when you’re winning

    It’s been quite a few months for Sunsquare. New skylights launched, shows to shout about and a spanking new website to admire.

    Read morearrow
    Skylights and rooflights

    13 June 2019

    Another industry first for skylight pioneers Sunsquare

    Sunsquare has not only achieved the Kitemark accreditation for another 3 years, but the ISO9001 and ISO14001 accreditations with no non-conformities.

    Read morearrow

    Sunsquare Accessories

    Find out morearrow

    Sunsquare Skylights

    Find out morearrow

    Since 2004, Sunsquare Limited has been pioneering skylight design

    Call us on 01922 714087