Overhead glazing can be a great way to bring natural light into your home. With a range of options on the market, Erika Chaffey looks into what you need to know about specif ying the right rooflight for you and your project

This extension by Bradley Van Der Straeten Architects features two vaulted Maxlight (www.maxlight .co.uk) flat rooflights above the dining area. Overhead daylight makes this compact project feel spacious and dynamic, while defining different zones within the addition

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By harnessing sunlight from above, rooflights are an ideal solution for maximising natural light in your home, especially for those gloomy, hard to reach areas that don’t have access to an external wall. Suitable for a range of different projects, if you’re taking on a self build, extension or looking to renovate and upgrade your home, overhead glazing could be the best way to create a light-filled environment.

It’s important that you choose the right type of rooflight for your project. The product you select will depend on its positioning, what you want it to achieve and your budget. Here, I’m looking at how to find the right fit for your home.

Benefits of rooflights

Overhead daylight can help to create the illusion of more space and provide your living areas with an even flow of light throughout the day. If you’re able to install an opening unit, this can also be a great way to bring fresh air deep into a room (or purge hot air). For extensions, rooflights are useful for allowing light to flow through to the main house, avoiding your original rooms becoming too dark.