In honour of its 30th anniversary, The Rooflight Co has unveiled a fresh new look to cement its position as a manufacturer of premium rooflights for architecturally significant buildings.

This Autumn marks the 30th anniversary of The Rooflight Co, known over the years as The Metal Window Company and latterly the Rooflight Company. The business has an unusual origin, being founded by architect Peter King, who used his artistic interpretation to respond to environmental necessity.

The story begins a few years before the company was formed, in the late 1980s. King was plying his craft and practicing in the conservation area of London’s Hampstead Garden suburb. Conservation areas at this time were still a relatively new concept having been established under the Civic Amenities Act of 1967 with planning legislation still evolving around them. Many of Peter’s clients wanted to extend into the attics of their Victorian period properties. The challenge was how to bring both light and ventilation into these loft spaces when strict planning regulations meant that modern roof windows and dormers were out of the question. The only permissible option was a cast iron, single-glazed rooflight based on the original Victorian design – beautiful but not up to modern performance standards.

Cuddymoss, North Ayrshire, by Ann Nisbet Studio was a winner at the RIAS Awards 2023 (ph: David Barbour)

Using many of the same principles he explored through architecture, such as a focus on details and an appreciation for scaleable aesthetics, Peter set about designing a modern day rooflight that incorporated the fine detailing and authentic features of the Victorian model yet met modern performance standards.

His iconic original design included a steel frame, double-glazing, draught stripping and a thermal lining, and came in a range of sizes taken from original Victorian patterns. The Original Conservation Rooflight was born, marking the start of a new era for natural top lighting solutions through a range of high-performance rooflights, roof windows and skylights. In 1993, Peter established The Metal Window Company and set up a manufacturing workshop in the Cotswolds.

Conservation Rooflight sketch

The Conservation Rooflight was given wide approval by planners, conservation officers and fellow architects who appreciated its low-profile glazing bar and slim sections. Over the last three decades, The Conservation Rooflight has evolved to deliver on ever more stringent performance requirements, while still retaining the authenticity of the original design. As such, it is still the de facto choice for planners and architects to preserve the heritage of historic buildings, while ensuring they are fit to perform for generations to come. The Original Conservation Rooflight graces some of the country’s most prestigious properties, including palaces and National Trust properties, as well as residential homes.

Internal view of Conservation Rooflight

The company’s product collections comprise rooflight solutions for pitched and flat roofs in both contemporary and conservation settings. The highly acclaimed Neo Rooflight combines modern performance standards with a frameless, minimalistic solution, and uses glazing technology originally devised for skyscrapers. For projects requiring more unique solutions, the company provides an experienced Bespoke Design Solutions service creating tailored products that are often featured in award-winning projects. The cutting-edge melds seamlessly with tradition at the company’s state-of-the-art workshop in Bourton on the Water, where all the rooflights are still assembled by hand, including the glazing units.

The Conservation Rooflight was designed by architect Peter King

As the business looks towards the future, there is a clear focus on innovation and developing its passion for people, planet and place. Not only does it remain obsessively diligent in design and its commitment to ensuring every last detail is fully considered, it also continues to develop its commitment to long-term sustainability through employee-ownership, PlanetMark certification, and most recently BCorp status.

Internal view of Neo Rooflights

To mark its anniversary, the company has launched a new visual language that reflects its heritage and provenance for superior quality; from the refined company name: The Rooflight Co, to the branding that pays homage to the Victorian rooflights that first inspired founder Peter King.

Specified by Ann Nisbet Studio for Cuddymoss, a 2023 RIAS Award-winning project in North Ayrshire, Neo rooflights combine modern performance standards with a frameless, minimalistic aesthetic (ph: David Barbour) 

Since 1993, The Rooflight Co has led the way in rooflight design innovation and has forged an enviable reputation for fine detailing, low-profile frames and authentic features. The antithesis of disposable culture, they are committed to doing business ‘the right way’ and delivering a level of quality that is rare. The Rooflight Co solutions are frequently included in the designs by award-winning architects and this endorsement is a testament to the quality and attention to detail these elegant rooflight solutions provide. With both retrofit and biophilic design increasingly dominating the agenda, it is refreshing to find a manufacturer who lives and breathes both.

Contact Details
For more information, please call 01993 833155, email or visit The Rooflight Co website.