Natural Light Without Compromising Safety
Rooflights (also called skylights or roof windows) are one of the best ways to transform a space with natural daylight, whether you’re extending a kitchen, converting a loft, brightening a dark hallway, or designing a commercial space.
But when it comes to overhead glazing, one factor must always come first: safety. And that’s why the type of glass in your rooflight matters.
What Is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is made by bonding two (or more) panes of glass with a tough, clear interlayer, typically polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ionoplast.
Think of it like a glass sandwich:
If the glass cracks or breaks, the fragments stay stuck to the interlayer instead of falling into the space below. That’s very different from toughened glass which, while strong, shatters into thousands of small pieces that can fall and cause injury.
Why Laminated Inner Panes Matter
Whether it’s a family in the kitchen or staff in a commercial building, laminated glass ensures that even if the rooflight is damaged, shards won’t fall inside.
Roof access is often required for gutter clearing, repairs or inspections. Laminated inner panes are stronger, less likely to fail suddenly and can support unexpected loads such as someone stepping on them or tools being dropped.
Laminated glazing helps rooflights achieve non-fragile ratings, meaning they resist breakage and, if damaged, can still hold weight. This protects maintenance teams and ensures compliance with safety guidance from bodies like the Rooflight Association.
4. Added Security
Laminated glass is harder to penetrate, providing an extra layer of home or building security.
Safety Testing & Classifications
Industry standards define how rooflights are tested for impact and load resistance. Some key classifications include:
Tests include:
Note: Not all laminated glass automatically qualifies for these standards. The full rooflight assembly (glass thickness, interlayer type, framing, and fixings) determines performance.
Beyond Safety: Comfort & Efficiency Benefits
Energy Savings
Modern laminated rooflights can help lower bills by:
Comfortable Living & Working Spaces
Solar control options reduce overheating in sunny rooms while still letting in plenty of natural light.
Peace of Mind
For homeowners, laminated glass provides confidence that your skylight is safe for family life. For specifiers, it ensures compliance, durability, and reduced liability.
Questions to Ask Your Supplier or Installer
Coxdome’s Laminated Rooflight Solutions
COXDOME put safety comes first. Their Lumiglaze glazed rooflight range:
With Coxdome, you don’t have to choose between safety, thermal performance, and modern design - you get all three.
When it comes to rooflights, laminated inner panes aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity.
For homeowners, they mean a brighter, safer home with lower energy bills. For builders, specifiers, and facilities managers, they mean compliance with industry safety standards and reduced risk on site.
The bottom line: laminated inner panes should always be your first choice.
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