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When it comes to maximizing natural light and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your living space, the choice between fixed roof lights and roof lanterns plays a crucial role. Both options provide an abundance of natural light, but they differ in design, functionality, and overall impact on your home. In this blog post, we’ll compare fixed roof lights and roof lanterns, helping you make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences.

Design and Appearance:
Fixed Roof Lights:
Fixed roof lights are sleek and minimalistic in design. They consist of a double/triple glazed panel that sits flush with the roof surface. The frameless design creates a seamless integration with the roof, allowing for a clean and contemporary look. Fixed roof lights are ideal for modern and minimalist architectural styles, providing a subtle touch of elegance and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of your space.
Roof Lanterns:
Roof lanterns are more elaborate and visually striking. They feature a raised structure with multiple glazed panels that are supported by a framework. The distinctive pyramid or lantern-like shape adds an architectural focal point to your space, making a bold statement and adding height to your space. Roof lanterns are often associated with traditional or classical designs, but they can also complement contemporary homes seeking a touch of grandeur and elegance.

Natural Light and Views:
Fixed Roof Lights:
Fixed roof lights offer excellent natural light diffusion throughout the day. They provide a generous amount of sunlight, brightening up the room and creating an open and airy atmosphere. The uninterrupted view of the sky and surrounding environment allows you to enjoy the changing weather conditions, starry nights, and the beauty of nature from the comfort of your home.
Roof Lanterns:
Roof lanterns are designed to maximize the amount of natural light entering your space. With their raised structure and multiple glazed panels, they offer expansive views of the sky, bringing in an abundance of daylight. The taller design allows more light to penetrate into the room, creating a brighter and more vibrant ambiance. Roof lanterns are especially beneficial for spaces that lack windows or have limited access to natural light.

Ventilation and Climate Control:
Fixed Roof Lights:
Fixed roof lights are primarily intended to provide natural light and visual connectivity with the outdoors. While some models may offer ventilation options, they are typically limited. Therefore, if ventilation and air circulation are a priority, you might need to consider other alternatives such as opening windows or additional ventilation systems.
Roof Lanterns:
Roof lanterns can be equipped with various ventilation options, such as opening vents or automated systems. These features enable the release of hot air and improve airflow, enhancing ventilation and climate control within your space. Roof lanterns with integrated ventilation mechanisms are particularly beneficial for rooms prone to excess heat build-up or areas that require consistent airflow.

Energy Efficiency:
Fixed Roof Lights:
Fixed roof lights are known for their energy efficiency. The use of high-quality glazing and advanced insulation materials helps minimize heat loss and maximize thermal performance. This translates into reduced energy consumption and lower heating or cooling costs. Additionally, the abundant natural light they provide can reduce the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, further enhancing energy efficiency.
Roof Lanterns:
Roof lanterns can also be energy-efficient, depending on the quality of materials used in their construction. Opting for double or triple glazing with low-emissivity coatings can significantly improve insulation properties and energy efficiency. However, due to their larger surface area and additional framework, roof lanterns may have slightly lower thermal performance compared to fixed roof lights.

Conclusion:
Choosing between fixed roof lights and roof lanterns ultimately depends on your architectural style, personal preferences, and specific requirements for natural light, views, ventilation, and energy efficiency. Fixed roof lights offer a sleek and contemporary aesthetic, while Roof lanterns offer more height and allowing more light into your living space. Both can be specified with self cleaning and/or solar control glass. Please call or email the Homeworks team to ask for further advice on your new Roof light or Lantern. You can also find inspiration on our webpage, Instagram, Facebook and Google page.

Bi-fold Doors: The Stylish Solution for Modern Living

Bi-fold doors are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners who want to add a touch of style and functionality to their living spaces, especially when building a new extension or renovating their kitchens. Bi-folding doors offer a unique design that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor areas, creating a bright and airy living space that’s perfect for modern living. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what bi-fold doors are and their many benefits. Bi-folding doors can be fitted to existing homes (subject to structural works) new extensions, garden rooms and more.

What are Bi-fold Doors?

Bi-folding doors are a type of door that consist of multiple panels that fold up against each other, creating a large opening that connects the inside of your home to the outside. The panels are made from double or triple glazed units and the frames are made from aluminium. All our bi-fold doors have toughened glass as standard, which can be upgraded to laminated security glass. Bi-fold doors typically open outwards, so that that internal room space is not affected. There are various opening configurations, which our expert team can advise further on for your individual needs.

Benefits of Bi-fold Doors

• Versatility: Bi-fold doors are highly versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, including patios, garden rooms, and conservatories. They can be customized to fit any size or shape of opening, allowing you to create a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces. Bi-folding windows can also be used to create a large single window opening, ideal for kitchens and entertaining spaces.
• Natural Light: With their large glass panels, bi-fold doors are an excellent way to maximize natural light in your home. The added natural light can help to brighten up your living space, create a sense of openness, and even reduce your energy bills by minimizing the need for artificial lighting.
• Energy Efficiency: Bi-fold doors are highly energy efficient. This means that your home will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, reducing your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Aluminium frames have been developed over recent years to improve U Value and heat loss. The glass can be upgraded to triple glazing, solar control and even integrated blinds.
• Security: Bi-fold doors are designed with security in mind, with multi-point locking systems and toughened glass that provides excellent resistance against forced entry.
• Space creation: Unlike traditional sliding or French doors, bi-folding doors utilise the whole space to allow a larger opening area. The doors stack neatly to the side to allow full use of the space, connecting the indoor and outdoor areas as one.
• Aesthetics: Bi-fold doors offer a sleek, modern look that can add value and curb appeal to your home. They come in a variety of finishes and can be customized to suit your taste and décor, making them a stylish addition to any living space. We offer a range of products to suit individual requirements, from slimmer sight lines, variety of colour combinations and hardware. You can request more information about the range of products and brochures from our website.

Homeworks offer a vast range of bi-folding doors, including Origin, ALUK, Stellar and Korniche. Examples of recently installed bi-fold doors can be found on our website, Instagram, Facebook and Google. Please contact us for more information and to request a quote on the installation of your new bi-folding doors. 

When it comes to upgrading the entrance to your home, the door you choose can have a significant impact on its overall look and feel. If you’re in the market for a new front door, you might be considering a composite door as an option. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what composite doors are and their many benefits.

What is a Composite Door?

A composite door is a type of front door that is made from a combination of materials, including uPVC frame, timber, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) exterior skin, and insulating foam. The result is a door that offers superior strength, security, and energy efficiency compared to other types of doors. Speak to our expert technical team about the range of manufacturers we use, and how their products are made.

Benefits of Composite Doors

1. Durability: One of the most significant benefits of composite doors is their durability. The combination of materials used to make composite doors makes them resistant to warping, cracking, and other forms of damage that can be caused by weather or everyday use. Composite doors also require little maintenance, making them a long-lasting and cost-effective investment for your home. Our door suppliers typically offer a 10-year warranty, to give you peace of mind against any discolouring, bowing etc.
2. Security: Composite doors are designed with security in mind. The strong, multi-layered construction of composite doors provides excellent resistance against forced entry, giving you peace of mind that your home is secure. The doors we offer are PAS24 compliant and typically come with a high security lock as standard. All our doors can be upgraded to meet Secure by Design requirements. Speak to our team to find out more.
3. Energy Efficiency: With rising energy costs, energy efficiency is a top priority for many homeowners. Composite doors are excellent at keeping the heat in your home, thanks to their insulating foam core. This means that your home will stay warmer for longer, and you’ll save money on your energy bills in the process.
4. Aesthetics: Composite doors are available in a wide range of styles and colours, so you’re sure to find one that complements the look and feel of your home. Whether you’re looking for a traditional or modern design, composite doors can be customized to meet your specific needs and preferences. Our suppliers brochures are on our website along with the online custom door builer.
5. Environmental Impact: The materials used to make composite doors are recyclable, making them an environmentally friendly choice for homeowners. Additionally, the energy-efficient properties of composite doors help to reduce your carbon footprint, making them a smart choice for the environment as well as your wallet.

In summary, composite doors are a smart choice for homeowners who want a durable, secure, and energy-efficient front door that also looks great. With their long-lasting performance, customisable design options, and eco-friendly benefits, composite doors are a wise investment for any home.

Visit our online door builder, to build and customise your new composite door and receive an online quote. Our friendly, expert team can then offer further guidance and visit at you at home to survey your new door. Some of the doors we have recently installed can be found in our website gallery, Instagram, Facebook and Google.