VIEWPOINT
BREATHING BETTER HEALTH INTO HOMES
Colin Wells, Head of Technical at Keylite Roof Windows asks, in sealing the thermal envelope on our homes and offices, are we opening ourselves up to dangers previously unconsidered?
have become a go-to solution for specifiers, allowing fresh air into buildings while at the same time introducing natural daylight.
WE SPEND 90% of our lives indoors due to a combination of home, work or school commitments. The buildings we inhabit are being built to regulations designed to make them as airtight as possible in order to reduce emissions from fuel usage and increase our comfort and wellbeing. Air quality IS critical to ensure wellbeing, as is natural daylight. Roof windows provide the answers to daylighting but some can also aid with ventilation. With the UK under ever- increasing pressure to meet energy-efficiency demands and net-zero climate change targets, buildings are becoming more airtight which can lead to air being trapped inside. This can result in condensation on windows and interior walls, increasing internal humidity which in turn can create damp, mould and mildew, all of which is exacerbated by moisture- creating areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Air quality becomes poor because it is not being replaced and this can impact an occupant’s wellbeing, with some people suffering from serious health issues such as asthma and other respiratory problems. Ventilation will ensure the air moves consistently through the house from dry areas to moisture- creating areas which can then be expelled and replaced by outside air. It will ensure moisture, smoke, cooking odours and other indoor pollutants are expelled. Better air quality through a supply of natural ventilation and access to daylight should be part of any successful building. It is why roof windows
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Bright innovations As an award-winning roof window manufacturer, Keylite is constantly driving innovation when it comes to tackling issues around ventilation and condensation whilst ensuring buildings meet their thermal requirements. As part of its commitment to continual product improvement, the company has lowered the roof window fixing position on two occasions over the past 10years. This results in improved external aesthetics, as well as having a positive impact on thermal efficiency.
Furthermore, all Keylite centre pivot and top hung roof windows feature an easily operated top ventilation handle which allows the user to provide background ventilation into a room while the roof window is still securely locked. Electric automation can be used in conjunction with the roof window for ease of operation while rain sensors provide protection by automatically closing the roof windows in the event of unexpected showers. Providing natural ventilation will significantly reduce condensation, however it will not eliminate it as poor thermal bridging also plays its part. Keylite’s built-in patented expanding thermal collar helps prevent thermal bridging, which can be responsible for up to 30% of a dwelling’s heat loss. Thermal bridging in relation to roof window installation is caused by a 20mm ‘adjustment gap’ recommended by all manufacturers. When left unfilled and exposed to cold weather, the
gap could lead to condensation forming around the frame. In time this leads to mould accumulation which is a health risk, unsightly and can cause physical damage to the frame if left untreated. Although a thermal collar is a known solution for preventing cold spots around a roof window frame, most companies sell them as an ‘extra’. For householders on a tight budget, this adds a layer of cost which might not have been accounted for. In certain cases, due to a lack of availability in merchant’s stores and the like, roof windows have been fitted without thermal collars, compromising this crucial element of thermal design.
Thermal collar At Keylite, we have taken responsibility for insulating around a window by incorporating an expanding thermal collar into the frame as an integral component of the roof window. The expanded thermal collar fills the gap around the roof window ensuring the frame is fully insulated, which in turn helps eliminate the risk of condensation. The thermal collar comes as standard on all of our Keylite Roof Windows and at no extra cost to the customer. The Covid-19 pandemic has meant we are all spending an increasing amount of time in homes, and for those who are returning to work and school, the importance of ensuring these spaces have the appropriate natural light and ventilation to help prevent the virus from spreading indoors has never been more important.
Roof windows can perform a vital role in ensuring that our buildings perform as designed, have optimum levels of daylight
and provide background ventilation to improve indoor air quality. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2020
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