The Room at the Top Team: (LtoR) Managing Director, Jon Moore, Declan Stockton, James Mcarvey and John Stainton
Room at the Top are the experts in their field and they’re choosing Dakea roof windows. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to Jon Moore about his loft conversion company.
If you own a third generation building firm that’s specialised in loft conversions for more than thirty years then it would be fair to say that you know a thing or two about that particular type of home improvement project. That’s certainly the case with Jon Moore and the team at Room at the Top, who pride themselves on a winning combination of an efficient build and quality finish. Very much part of the package are solutions from the Dakea roof window range – products which Jon is now specifying on every job.
In fact, Jon and his West Yorkshire based firm are now the stars of a six-part video series that represents an expert guide to a loft conversion, with every stage of a build in Moortown, Leeds explained and demonstrated.
“All I’ve ever known in my career is loft conversions and I can confidently say that planning and organisation is the key to their success,” he reveals. “Every trade needs to perfectly in line to a military level of precision. A lot of our competitors will take 8-12 weeks to complete a job, where we will be done in four.”
“At the outset we’ll operate as a single team to get the structure in place. We’ll then split into two teams so that the external and internal works are undertaken simultaneously. That time factor is actually a big selling point for u and it’s why we get so many referrals. Customers don’t want their homes to be turned into building sites for long periods so the fact that we can be in and out relatively quickly suits them very well.”
Although it’s invariably a customer choice, as a general rule the window pane should equal at least 10-15 per cent of the floor space in the room. On this raised gable, rear dormer, one double bedroom and en suite bathroom conversion three Dakea M4 Ultima Energy Roof Windows were chosen. Because of the larger profile tiles on the property, they’re accompanied by KUF flashings.
So, what appeals about the Dakea products? “One of the key reasons we’re loyal to the brand is that there’s a 20-year guarantee when they’re registered with Dakea by the homeowner. That compares with only a 10-year guarantee with most other companies. Not only does that demonstrate that the manufacturer has faith in its own systems, it also matches with the twenty year guarantee we offer on our own loft conversions. It gives us and the client genuine peace of mind. Indeed, when we explain that to any customer who might query the specification they’re own board with Dakea straight away.
Jon is also an advocate for the ease of installation that Dakea affords with even less experienced tradespeople able to speedily master the process, whilst the company provides a reassuringly efficient level of technical support: “If you follow the simple steps they’ll take about 30 minutes to fit. They’re quick, they’re easy and they let plenty of light through – you really can’t ask for more.”
Choosing Ultima
Whilst Room at the Top offers its clients the option of PVCu or timber roof windows, the company always makes sure that it is fitting Dakea Ultima, as Jon explains: “We fit them because we know they’re going to comfortably fulfil U value requirements for loft conversions, as well as the homeowner’s expectations when it comes to thermal and acoustic performance. They will outperform all the standard products on the market.”
Thanks to their triple-pane construction, Ultima Energy pitched roof windows are recommended for their improved levels of insulation – as well as noise mitigation. The panes are actually Krypton gas filled, rather than the more typical Argon, which conducts less heat. In addition, whether its noise from outside, or rain impact, there’s a 38dB reduction compared to standard windows, whilst the glass and coating are designed to warm a room during winter but not overheat it in the summer. Similarly, the glazing will block 95% of harmful UV rays while still letting the light in, with a toughened external pane and laminated internal glass markedly improving impact resistance.
Before they leave the job, the Room at the Top team makes sure that the homeowner knows how to operate the windows, and they’re aware how to activate the Dakea guarantee. The company actually provides a closing pack at the culmination of every project with all details included.
In the finest tradition of the building industry Room at the Top is a family affair, with Jon’s grandfather, Trevor Colman, founding the business in 1987, before his father, Matthew – and now Jon himself – took up the mantle. “There are a lot of properties in Leeds and the surrounding area that will accommodate a loft conversion so we’ve always got plenty of work on, and we actually witnessed demand soar even further during the pandemic,” concludes Jon. “We’ve got a business model that works, and when we find a product like Dakea that helps deliver quality projects then we’ll stick with it.”
For further information on the Dakea Ultima Energy range visit Ultima Energy Roof Windows | Dakea Roof Windows.
For further information on Room at the Top visit Room at the Top Loft Conversions Leeds | Leeds Loft Conversions.
To watch the six-part installation video visit Dakea Trade Matters at Trade Matters – Dakea.
