ROOFLIGHTS & ROOF VENTS
Kapturing the benefits
of natural light
RCI’s Nichola Farrugia visited Kingspan Light + Air in Ireland to find out more about the company’s range of
lighting products and how it is well positioned to provide buildings with improved daylighting with unrivalled
performance in energy-efficiency, safety and comfort
With the continued success
and growth of its lighting
solutions business,
Kingspan Light + Air was
formed in 2016, following the acquisition
of Essmann and STG Beikirch in Germany,
Ecodis in France and Bristolite in
California.
The third largest division in the
Kingspan Group, Kingspan Light + Air
specialises in high-performance polycarbonate
roof and wall lighting solutions
that provide superior resistance to user
degradation, resulting in long-term light
transmission, thermal and structural
performance.
A core material that is used in the
manufacture of riot shields, safety
googles and bullet-proof glass, polycarbonate
is known for its exceptional
strength and durability in comparison
to other lighting materials. Retaining its
impact-resistance properties in almost
any circumstances makes it a durable,
safe and long-lasting lighting solution
for commercial applications.
While Kingspan Light + Air is still in
its infancy, considerable investment has
been made within the division, to ensure
that it continues to grow to become
a vibrant business, offering customers
a comprehensive range of sustainable
lighting, natural ventilation and smoke
management solutions.
Wellbeing of occupants
With a growing number of projects
seeking certification under the WELL
Building Standard, which focus on
the wellbeing of building occupants
through natural and artificial lighting
solutions, Jonathan Dore, commercial
director at Kingspan Light + Air,
believes that by incorporating modern
daylighting technologies and design
approaches in buildings, it not only benefits
the health of building occupants,
but it can also reduce energy demand
for artificial lighting.
“Studies have shown that natural
light enables people to function at their
best. The added benefit is that natural
light costs nothing and reduces energy
consumption,” said Jonathan.
“It’s about educating people when
it comes to designing daylighting solutions
in buildings. The levels of natural
daylight we are exposed to have profound
implications on our health,
happiness and productivity.”
Jonathan continued: “We want
people to start thinking about
how they can use the products
intelligently to deliver more energy
efficient buildings. This means
thinking about Lux Levels; getting
good diffusion from daylight; using as
many hours of daylight as possible; and
keeping artificial lights switched off as
much as possible in a building.”
Kapturing daylight for longer
With increased light comes the unwanted
side effects of glare and heat gain, which
can compromise occupant comfort. However,
Kingspan Light + Air has a solution
for this. Described as the company’s first
100% diffusion rooflight, Kingspan Day-
Lite Kapture is designed to integrate with
all of Kingspan’s insulated roof panels, as
well as other roof systems.
Helping buildings to achieve excellent
daylighting levels for a greater
number of hours in the day, Day-Lite
Kapture’s curved shape is designed to
capture as much natural daylight as
possible, even at low angles on the sides.
At the heart of Kingspan Day-Lite
Kapture is an advanced, nano-prismatic
layer which uses microscopic structures
to efficiently scatter light.
“This innovative design helps to
reduce light reflection when compared
with conventional pigmented diffusion
approaches,” said Jonathan.
“The product’s contoured form
comprises three overlapping spherical
domes, which allows light to be captured
at low sun angles – illuminating
internal spaces during early morning
and late evening – and performs
equally as well in any orientation. It
also helps to transfer loads to the
side of the rooflights.”
Tailored to requirements
Kingspan Light + Air understands
that every building is different, and
through its research and development
facilities, the company can adapt
and tailor Kingspan Day-Lite Kapture
units to each of the project’s requirements.
Options include an enhanced
outer UV-resistant layer to include IR
blocking particles, providing additional
protection for properties at risk of significant
solar gains, and dual nano-prismatic
layers for even greater diffusion.
To maximise the energy and cost
savings that can be achieved in each
application, Kingspan Lite + Air also
manufactures and supplies low energy
lighting, which uses a combination of
smart dimming controls, motion detection
and daylight harvesting to reduce
lighting costs by as much as 90%.
According to Jonathan, the differentiator
between the Kingspan Group and its
competitors is the high level of technical
support it offers its customers. The company’s
design team is able to generate
detailed reports for each project, creating
3D models of the building and applying
local climate data to identify the optimal
solution and layout.
These documents provide a clear
indication of the expected performance
and cost benefits from installing the
Kingspan Light + Air solution, including
expected energy savings, carbon reduction,
pay-back period and the total return
on investment over a 10-year period.
Utilising its blend of products,
knowledge and expertise, Kingspan Lite
+ Air is well poised to provide its clients
with innovative, high quality daylighting,
LED lighting, smoke management
and natural ventilation systems.
Its extensive manufacturing capability,
experienced team of people, and
wider group presence ensures that it is
the partner of choice for the ever-changing
world of modern construction.
w www.kingspanlightandair.co.uk
Kingspan
Day-Lite
Kapture’s
curved shape
is designed
to capture as
much natural
daylight as
possible, even
at low angles
on the sides
54 www.rcimag.co.uk July 2018
/www.kingspanlightandair.co.uk
/www.rcimag.co.uk
/www.kingspanlightandair.co.uk
/www.rcimag.co.uk
