Flat roof renovation: Improved energy efficiency renovation for sustainable climate protection

When it comes to renovation, most people often think of the negative: after the last rain shower, water suddenly collects on the floor of the industrial building. Or the heating costs in the residential building seem to rise immeasurably because it has already seen its best days. We often associate a renovation case with leaks and defects in the roof caused by cracks and porosity. Extreme weather events are catalysts for damage to flat roofs, but the natural ageing process catches up with every house at some point. Poor materials or inadequate insulation also support this. 

Should these scenarios actually come to occur, action must be taken as quickly as possible, as the statics of the entire building as well as the energy efficiency and fall-through safety are compromised. Thomas Brandl also knows that the renovation of flat roofs and the integrated daylight, fresh air or smoke and heat extraction systems (SHEVS) are therefore becoming increasingly important. He is an energy consultant from Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany, and has been involved in numerous renovation projects. He knows exactly when owners of older buildings should take action: "Better too early than too late, because a timely inspection and renovation usually saves not only time, but also money. It doesn't have to be an emergency, because early intervention not only helps to prevent major structural damage to the building, but also saves on heating costs and effectively increases living comfort.

However, flat roof renovations are often postponed due to the supposedly high costs. According to Thomas Brandl, flat roof renovations are always a worthwhile investment, as a modern, refurbished roof contributes significantly to increasing the value of the property: ‘A flat roof renovation offers numerous advantages, such as better lighting and ventilation of the rooms, as well as noticeable cost savings due to the reduced heating requirements.’ The energy expert knows that daylight systems installed during a flat roof renovation have a particularly positive effect on the overall consumption of a building: ‘Well-placed skylights can help to reduce the energy requirements of a building by allowing the natural light and warmth of the sun to be used as an energy source in the room.’ Particularly in the cool and dark months, this can reduce consumption for lighting and heating and increase the well-being of residents or employees.

The daylight system manufacturer LAMILUX guarantees support and professional advice for renovation projects. Thanks to decades of experience, intensive research and development in close cooperation with its customers, LAMILUX is recognised as an expert in the field of flat roof renovation  and has a comprehensive product portfolio that meets the highest quality standards. Energy-efficient and passive house-certified products such as the LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 Passivhaus, the LAMILUX Continuous Rooflight B, the LAMILUX Continuous Rooflight S Energyline and the LAMILUX Flat Roof Window FE Passive House are ideal for new buildings and energy-efficient renovations. Thanks to their excellent insulation values, they reduce energy costs and thus make a significant contribution to promoting climate protection. The variety of LAMILUX renovation frames makes it possible to exchange system solutions individually and to add an existing upstand on site according to a modular principle. By integrating an extension element, the roof structure is raised and thus achieves an increase in insulation and better energy values in the building. 

This is followed by the daylight systems, which the roofers connect to the substructure. LAMILUX has also documented the sustainability of its products in so-called EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), which are based on their life cycle assessment. The manufacturer also combines these daylight systems with photovoltaic modules.