Roof insulation is a fundamental pillar of building construction, as lightwells are used to provide natural ventilation and lighting for bathrooms, in addition to facilitating pipe maintenance. But do you know what happens if these lightwells are not properly covered? Let’s explore why insulating and covering lightwells is extremely important in modern buildings.
What is a Lightwell?
Lightwells are openings in a building designed to provide natural light and ventilation, and also to facilitate the maintenance of pipes passing through them. Their insulation is a fundamental aspect of roof insulation in residential buildings.
Why should lightwells not be left open?
When lightwells are left open, rainwater seeps in, leading to moisture leakage into the internal walls of apartments. This moisture can cause many problems such as mold, unpleasant odors, and structural damage. It can also lead to birds entering and nesting inside the lightwells, causing mess in the area.
How to properly insulate roofs and cover lightwells?
To maintain the lightwell’s primary function of providing natural light without affecting ventilation, it is best not to cover it with zinc or corrugated iron. Instead, transparent sheets are used that allow sunlight to enter but prevent rainwater from getting in. These are plastic sheets resistant to weather and sun factors.
Transparent sheets are used that allow sunlight to enter but prevent rainwater from getting in.
Can ventilation and roof insulation be maintained simultaneously?
Yes, ventilation can be maintained even with covered lightwells. Perforated iron sheets are placed on the eastern facade, which is not exposed to rain, allowing air to pass through without affecting the waterproofing.
Easy Access for Maintenance
The great advantage of this system is that if someone needs to access the lightwell for maintenance purposes, they can easily unscrew the covering and then reattach it after completing the work.
Why are zinc sheets not preferred?
Some buildings may use ordinary zinc sheets for roof insulation, but the drawback of this method is that it does not provide complete insulation, in addition to the annoying noise it may cause during winter or strong winds.
