Roof lantern Zeeland, ready for wind and salty air

Roof lantern in Zeeland: the wind has its say

For wind loads, the Eurocode divides the Netherlands into three wind zones, and the Zeeland coast falls in the heaviest one. On the islands, little stands in the way: open polders, dykes and dunes. For a roof lantern, that means a well-anchored upstand and a connection that can withstand wind-driven rain.

Snow and wind loads are covered in detail in the article snow load and wind load. For a large glass area or a high, exposed position, have a structural engineer take a look.

Salty air and maintenance

Close to the sea there is salt in the air, and it settles on glass and frame. Aluminium copes with this well, but a film of salt and dirt holds moisture and makes the glass dull. So rinse the roof lantern with clean water more often than you would inland, and keep the drainage in the bottom rails clear.

How to do that safely, without standing on the glass, is explained under maintaining and cleaning a roof lantern.

• Rinse glass and frame a few times a year
• No abrasives or pressure washer on the seals
• Keep the drainage in the bottom rails clear
• Never stand or walk on the glass

Zeeland homes and the choice of roof type

After the 1953 North Sea flood, many villages in Zeeland were restored and a lot was newly built. You find village centres with old terraced houses, many detached homes and, in the towns, districts from every post-war period. Middelburg has a historic centre that was badly damaged in May 1940 and rebuilt afterwards.

A mono-pitch roof lantern on the extension or a roof lantern on the veranda suits the area well, especially with a south-facing garden. Measure carefully: over a long distance it is extra important that the size is right first time. See measuring for a roof lantern.