New rooflights for iconic shopping arcade

Howells Patent Glazing has replaced roof glazing for the Barkers Arcade in Northallerton. Specify & Build reports.

Howells Patent Glazing has returned to Northallerton institution, Barkers, to replace three areas of roof glazing above the iconic arcade at the High Street department store and in the atrium of Barkers Home store. This follows the installation of replacement rooflights in all four atriums in the centre of the store in 2022.

The Arcade is located on Northallerton High Street and is home to a variety of retail and commercial premises, including a jewellers, shoe shop, florist, beautician and hairdresser. Here, the purpose of the roof glazing is to protect shoppers from the elements.

The rooflights were replaced as part of key improvement works, which included replacements of both the Barkers Arcade roof and the Home store atrium, as well as a new roof on the original part of the Home store. Howells was tasked with the design and manufacture of rooflighting solutions for the two sites.

“The old rooflight looked tired and dated, and unfortunately, it leaked,” said Iain Macleod, Maintenance Manager for Barkers. “We wanted to give it a fresh new look to celebrate the arcade turning 40 this year.”

Howells’ recommendation

Howells recommended replacing the existing polycarbonate barrel vault rooflight with a hip-ended rooflight. Due to the length, and to accommodate a change in level between the buildings, this solution is formed of two rooflights with a hip at each end and a small area of vertical glazing at the level change.

Combined, the two rooflights measure 57.5m long by 2.5m wide, running the full length of the arcade. Brushed stainless steel tie wires provide additional support at 3m intervals as part of Howells’ ridge support system.

The aluminium frame is powder coated in RAL 1013 Matt Oyster White. The 28mm double-glazed units comprise 6mm heat strengthened toughened clear outer with a 12mm argon filled cavity with black warm edge spacer and a 9.5mm heat strengthened laminated clear inner pane. It achieves 1.0W/m²k U-value.

Howells also supplied a small 1.5m by 1.5m pyramid rooflight, which is offset and separated from the run by guttering.

Adding natural light

For the atrium at Barkers Home, Barkers requested a modern rooflight which would let in as much natural light as possible.

“The atrium is one of the main features at Barkers Home,” continues Iain. “It creates a bright, welcoming and open atmosphere and floods the space with daylight. We wanted a rooflight that would maximise this, encouraging customers to linger for longer while also reducing our dependency on electric lighting.”

Barkers Home is a 60,000 sq. ft purpose-built store on the edge of Northallerton. It is one of the largest home stores in the north of England. First built in 1994, it was extended in 2016 as part of Barkers’ £3.5 million refurbishment programme.

Self-supporting rooflight

Howells replaced the original patent glazing system with a self-supporting rooflight. This installation used the existing structural steel and adjustable bracket supports. The rooflight measures around 13m long by 6m wide. The aluminium frame is polyester powder coated RAL 7024 Matt Graphite Grey external and RAL 1013 Matt Oyster White internal.

Each glazed unit weighs more than 150kg and had to be craned into position. The 33.5mm double glazed units comprise 6mm toughened solar control outer with a 16mm argon filled cavity with black warm edge spacer and 11.5mm heat strengthened and laminated clear inner pane. The centre pane achieves a U-value of 1.0W/m²k.

Howells offers a supply only and a supply and fit service which includes site surveys, full drawings and installation.

www.howellsglazing.co.uk