Polycarbonate Dome Skylights

On paper, Triple Skinned polycarbonate domes are the ideal choice for modern homes and can offer U-values as low as 0.6 W/m²K. However, opinion is divided on whether triple skin has any real thermal impact in the home. Quite often they do very little to reduce your utility bills and the initial costs far outweigh any savings.

U-value, or thermal transmittance, is a crucial measurement that quantifies how effectively a building element prevents heat from escaping or entering a structure. Measured in Watts per square meter Kelvin (W/m²K), this standardised value is particularly important when evaluating the thermal performance of skylights and roof windows.

The U-value specifically indicates the rate of heat transfer through a building component – in this case, a Rubber4Roofs skylight. The lower the U-value, the better the thermal insulation properties and the more energy-efficient the skylight will be. This translates directly to improved temperature regulation in your home and potential savings on heating and cooling costs.

Current UK Building Regulations establish specific U-value requirements for various building elements to ensure energy efficiency standards are met. For skylights and roof windows, existing dwellings must achieve a maximum U-value of 2.2 W/m²K, while new construction projects typically require more stringent values between 1.2 and 1.7 W/m²K, depending on the specific application.

Our premium skylight range exceeds these regulatory requirements, with models featuring advanced glazing technologies that deliver exceptional U-values as low as 0.9 W/m²K in some configurations. This superior thermal performance contributes to reduced energy consumption, a smaller carbon footprint, and enhanced comfort through consistent interior temperatures regardless of external weather conditions.