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Glass Roof Systems | Benefits of Enclosing Outdoor Space with a Retractable Roof

Residential Roof Access

 

For over 60 years we’ve been helping entrepreneurs, architects, builders and
homeowners create stunning, practical retractable skylight and roofs.

Residential roof access can increase the value of your home and add a feature to your living space that you and your family can enjoy for years to come. Because of its low profile construction, a roof access skylight can satisfy height restrictions and will not block the view from your rooftop. Along with allowing you to access formerly inaccessible space, your roof access skylight will provide a wow-factor for you, your guests, and your family to utilize and enjoy for the lifetime of your home.  

What We Can Do

Accommodate When Space is Limited for Retracting

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Configure to Retract in Short or Long Direction

g

Open in Sections or Glide as a Single Unit

Custom Design and Engineering

Roof Options

Your roof access skylight can be shaped to fit your roof and your aesthetic preferences. When it comes to design and composition, the options are endless. Here are just a few of the many options available: 

Things to Consider

In addition to complementing your lifestyle and design goals there are a few additional factors to consider when selecting a design for your retractable skylight

Curbs

Building code requires curbs around rooftop openings. Curbs act like a dam, to prevent moisture from getting in through the skylight opening. While requirements may vary, one of the most common curb height requirements are “4 inches above the adjacent roof surface.” It’s important to note that a layer or two of roofing at the base of the curb will contribute to the curb height requirement, so keep that in mind when building your curbs.

Curb requirements will be specified in the design blueprints that Rollamatic provides. Quality curbs are a must, to ensure that they last as long as your Rollamatic retractable skylight will.

Height Restrictions

While curbs around a rooftop opening add a minimum of 4 inches, your Rollamatic retractable skylight has some bulk, as well. In general, the overall minimum height of a skylight at its low edge will be 8 3/4”. Since Rollamatic skylights are built with a slight slope in order to keep water from pooling, an additional height of ½” per foot will be added to the high side of the skylight. For a skylight that is 4’ wide, the high end will be raised an additional 2 inches from the low end.  

A Retractable Skylight Needs a Place to Retract To

A typical retractable roof access skylight may be 3 ½’ wide by 11’ long. For the roof to be accessible, the steel and glass cover will need to retract either 3 ½’ to the side, or 11’ off the end opposite where the stairs come to the roof. Your architect will consider issues like available space and traffic flow when determining the direction of your skylight’s retraction. 

How to Get Started

For more information about residential roof access and Rollamatic skylights, contact us. Our team is available to answer any questions you may have. Contact us by phone or online – we look forward to hearing from you!

60 Years. 1 Product.

You get pretty good when you do one thing day in, day out for 60 years.