Can You Walk On A Rooflight?

Walking on certain Rooflights is not part of their design. A rooflights key function is to allow more light into an interior space transforming areas with swamps of light. However, Some rooflights are intentionally designed to be walkable. Walk-on rooflights are excellent additions to rooftop spaces and terraces, allowing the flow of light to the room below. We provide a variety of walk-on glass options tailored to different requirements. The glass specifications we suggest and supply will depend on the application of the property & the frequency the unit is walked on.

Can I Design A Rooflight To Be Walked On

Yes! We purposefully engineer the walk-on rooflights we offer to possess the strength and durability required for confidently supporting foot traffic. People can walk on the rooflight without causing damage to the unit or compromising the roof’s integrity.

Typically installed on flat roofs, they offer the benefits of increased natural light and a seamless connection to the outdoors. Expertly engineered to comply with building regulations and safety standards. Ensuring that they can withstand the load imposed by people walking on them. Carefully crafted using toughened laminated glass and a reinforced aluminium frame, our rooflights ensure both strength and stability.

When Would You Use A Walk On?

Our walk on units are a popular choice for rooftop terraces and roof spaces. They provide the perfect blend of practical and aesthetic advantages, especially in scenarios with limited space or when you aim to maximize available outdoor areas.

Here are some reasons why you would use a walk-on glass rooflight:

• The benefit of Natural Light: Allow natural light to flood into the space below, making it brighter and more inviting. This is particularly useful for areas that may not have many windows, such as basement rooms or rooms with limited access to external walls.
• Utilizing Flat Roof Space: Transform it into a functional terrace or rooftop garden, offering an excellent outdoor space for relaxation, entertaining, or gardening, especially when there’s limited garden space available.
• Preserving Outdoor Space: In scenarios where you want to build a room in a basement beneath a patio or garden terrace, using a walk-on rooflight allows you to maintain the outdoor area’s functionality and aesthetics. By utilizing a transparent walk-on rooflight, you can provide natural light to the room below without covering the space with a solid structure.
• Unrestricted Access: With a walk-on rooflight, you don’t need to restrict access to the rooftop or the terrace to prevent people from stepping on the glass. Designed to withstand foot traffic, making them safe for people to walk on without causing damage.
• Architectural Feature: Walk-on glass rooflights can serve as attractive architectural features, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the building. They add a modern and elegant touch while still serving a functional purpose.

How Do They Work?

Here’s how our walks on work and what makes them suitable for their intended purposes:

• Installation with Upstand: During installation, the units are accompanied by an upstand, a raised frame that surrounds the roof light opening. The upstand creates a secure and stable base for the roof light, ensuring it can withstand the weight of foot traffic. The upstand also helps to prevent water from seeping into the building.
• Flush with External Flooring: Often used in decking areas, allowing them to sit flush with the external flooring surface. This design provides a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a unified and aesthetically pleasing look.
• One-Degree Angle: Typically installed at a slight one-degree angle. This angle allows the roof light to remain flat on the surface while ensuring that rainwater drains off the glass efficiently. This design feature prevents water pooling, which could lead to issues like dirt, mold, algae growth, and potential leaks.
• Strength and Durability: High-quality specifications that undergo rigorous testing. These tests evaluate the rooflight’s strength, load-bearing capacity, weather resistance, and overall performance to ensure they meet building regulations and safety standards.
• Walk on Vs Maintenance purposes: It’s essential to understand the differences between walk-on rooflights and those required for maintenance. Walk-on rooflights are specifically designed to handle frequent foot traffic, making them ideal for day-to-day domestic use. In contrast, non-fragile rooflights are intended for areas where occasional maintenance and cleaning may occur, but they are not meant for regular foot traffic.

Overall, walk-on rooflights provide a practical and stylish solution for adding natural light to interior spaces, creating functional rooftop terraces, and preserving outdoor areas without compromising on safety or aesthetics. Learn more by registering for our RIBA credited CPD. Also, read our other articles.

For more information on our products contact us on 01480 474797 or email us through our contact form.