Earlier in the year I visited a barn conversion in the Peak District to have a go at fitting a Keylite roof window. Normally I am quite happy to fit two or three roof windows in a day but the Flick Fit windows are cleverly designed to make the job so much quicker. By lunchtime there were six windows in and only the flashings left to do as the roof was slated up. Up until that visit I had never really thought about the possibility of someone coming up with a design that allowed you to put the window in from the inside without removing the sash.

The problem has always been that once you have screwed the brackets on you then have to manoeuvre the frame through the trimmed opening, and with the sash in you have nothing to grab. The prospect of it sliding down the roof as you let go is not to be dwelled on. Keylite’s unique approach is the “Flick-Fit” bracket – a hinged bracket pre-fitted to the window frame. The really clever part is that you can adjust the brackets for tiles or slates simply by removing the colour coded plastic plugs and then just flick them out into the fitting position. The window can then be rested on the lower trimmer and lifted up into place.

Once it is clear of the top trimmer you simply flick the top brackets out into place and the window is rested back in place. If you open the window you can then put a screw in each of the bottom brackets. You then close the window to check it is square before screwing in the top brackets and putting another couple of screws in the lower bracket. The innovation doesn’t stop there. The sashes are mounted at 2/3rds rather than half way and this allows you to position the windows so you can see out of them without hitting your head on the open window.