Lonsdale Patent Glazing & Rooflights

The integration of an aluminium flat glass rooflight with solar control glass in this residential project successfully achieves the objective of maximizing natural light while mitigating excessive heat gain. The careful selection of glazing materials, orientation, and frame design creates an energy-efficient and visually appealing architectural feature. The homeowners can enjoy the benefits of ample natural light, enhanced thermal comfort, and reduced energy consumption, ultimately creating a sustainable and comfortable living space.

Located in a West London conservation area, the existing property required updating by remodelling the kitchen and dining room that suffered poor connection to the rear garden. North facing, these rooms received little daylight from the modest sized windows. It was a dark and dingy space.

Our ThermGard Roof Light System provided the necessary profiles to achieve the considerable spans involved, some beyond 4.5m. Solar control glass was utilised to reduce heat gain and this combined with a low-emissivity coating provides year round comfort within the building environment.

ThermGard-R aluminium glazing bars for timber rafters were used to provide a maintenance free and weather-tight glass rooflight to create extra space at this family home in Bethnal Green, London

The Egyptian Gallery was the first of many projects at the Museum to benefit from a replacement duo-pitch rooflight using Lonsdale’s ThermGard Roof Light System.After having procured roof lanterns of varying quality and with disappointing results from different manufacturers, the Client was determined to establish a design that met their very high criteria for thermal performance and protection of the priceless exhibits from damaging UV light. Whilst wanting the benefits of modern aluminium systems, there was a requirement for a ‘heritage’ appearance so that any replacement roof lanterns mirrored the original timber construction. High performance solar control glass was also specified to reduce harmful UV light to the exhibits below. Solar protection was further enhanced by the fitting of external shading blinds to the overhead glazing which produce the slightly ‘eerie’ affect that can be seen in this image. Such was the success of this initial project, the Client has held Lonsdale as the benchmark by which other roof light manufacturers are measured and we repay this loyalty by ensuring a first class job every time.

Above food preparation areas, the existing rooflights needed replacing, but it was vital no broken glass could ever enter the production chain for obvious reasons. Our PlasGard patent glazing system combined with ‘unbreakable’ multi-wall polycarbonate was the obvious solution. Ventilators were fitted with fly-screens to prevent insects entering the building as again everything had to be done to prevent contamination of the food-stuffs being produced below.

The States of Jersey were keen to refurbish the glazed roof at Central Market, St Helier, but had to work closely with traders to ensure the minimum of disruption. Stallholders were also concerned about solar gain during hot summers. At the same time, they were wary of the usual tinted glass options that may have cast colour onto their different food markets and flowers. The natural beauty influences customers buying decisions.

Kings Cross Railway has been one of the largest and most exciting London redevelopments in recent years. In Victorian times Kings Cross was a thriving industrial area but by the end of last century, mostly had fallen into disrepair and dis-used buildings, sidings, warehouses and contaminated land. The move of the Channel Tunnel rail link from Waterloo to St Pancras in 1996 meant the need for change at the 67 acre site. The glass roof consists of two adjacent Victorian steel ‘barrel-vaults’ which now feature our PlasGard patent glazing system. A special glazing bar for use at the ridge was designed with a low external capping so as not to cast shadow onto the photo-voltaic cells to ensure optimal performance. Elsewhere laminated clear glass was used for safety in accordance with overhead glazing guidelines.

Lonsdale were tasked with providing a new low profile glazing bar compatible with the needs of the photovoltaic panels and at the same time meet the requirements of English Heritage

This previously draughty corridor was in sore need to refurbishment at this hotel and spa just outside Manchester. Our ThermGard-R rafter glazing bars were ideal for sitting on top of the existing steel rafters and provided a robust glazing method to retain the large double glazed units. Softcoat low-e laminated and toughened glass insulating glass units provide excellent heat retention and being North facing, there was no need for the addition of solar control.

Lonsdale have provided several bespoke roof glazing solutions to residential retirement home developers McCarthy & Stone. Research conducted by the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology and the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford, concludes natural daylight aids mental health and sleep patterns benefiting the well being of patients with dementia. Our ThermGard Rooflight system and SpanGard Roof Lanterns feature on several of their projects and in most cases Smoke Ventilation to EN12101 has been mandatory.

SkyGard proved the obvious choice for this low cost canopy for one of the Nation’s biggest clients. Special bracketry was required in accordance with the architects design and strategically spaced access hatches, provide access for cleaning the box gutter. SkyGard Patent Glazing combined with laminated glass provides one of the most economical glass canopy solutions with an expected 30-35 years design life and virtually non-existent design life costs as maintenance is minimal.

A premier footballer required to let light into his gym, so a Lonsdale Skylight was chosen and the customer was very satisfied.

A rooflight over the Cast Court installed in the Seventies had pretty much ‘given up the ghost’ and several leaks were apparent. There had been a history of glass cracking apparently without reason, which we attributed to thermal stress and poor edge cutting of the laminated glass. It was time for renewal.