One of the best ways to improve the look and feel of your prized automobile is to install a sunroof system. Just as automotive technology has evolved over time, so have sunroof systems. Many people are misled to think that sunroofs reduce the value of their motor vehicles but given the increased popularity and style of quality roof systems, this would actually increase the automobile’s selling appeal.
From the earliest partially removable cloth covers to trap doors in the
roof of a stage coach, sunroofs have evolved to become reliable, stylish, user
friendly, enjoyable automobile enhancements. The first car company to offer a sunroof as a
standard option was the Nash Motor Company in 1937. Most factory sliding
sunroof options feature a glass panel and are sometimes marketed as moonroofs,
a term introduced in 1973 by John Atkinsona, marketing manager at Ford for the Lincoln Continental Mark IV.
Roof systems are available in many shapes, sizes and styles, and are known by many names. The generally accepted sunroof/moonroof industry terms are as follows:
Pop-up sunroofs are simply a manually operated tilting
panel. These panels are usually removable, and like T-roofs, must be
stored when removed. The tilting action provides a vent in the roof, or a
full opening when the panel is removed. Pop-ups can be installed in most
vehicles, and are relatively inexpensive. Examples include metal panels in
Porsche 944, early Mazda RX-7 and many glass
panel factory and aftermarket installations.
Spoiler sunroofs (tilt-&-slides) combine the features of a pop-up with those of a sliding roof system. They tilt to vent and slide open above the roof, requiring little headroom or roof length. Spoilers typically do not provide as large an opening as other roof systems, but offer the convenience of a self-storing panel. Most spoiler roofs are electric, with optional features like integrated sun shades and express open/close. Spoilers are ideal for short-roof vehicles where other types of sliders can't be installed. Examples include Honda CRX, Toyota Celica and the Mazda RX-7.
Inbuilt
sunroof systems have a panel which slides between the metal roof and interior
headliner, requiring a miniscule loss of headroom but providing a full opening
in the roof. All inbuilts slide inside the roof, while some also include a rear
venting feature (see pop-up), and/or express open/close functions.
Folding
sunroofs (often called rag-tops or cabrio coach)
are a European tradition. They offer the convenience of a
sunroof, with an opening more like a convertible. The panel is made of fabric (often vinyl), which folds back as it slides open. After a
long absence in European and North American Markets, folding sunroofs have
experienced a resurgence with several new factory-installed options.
Aftermarket versions were once only manual, but now are also available in
powered versions. Examples include the original VW Beetle, Renault Twingo and Jeep Liberty.
Top-mount sliding sunroofs (rail mount topslider) have
been a popular factory option in Europe for many years. A large glass
panel slides open in tracks on top of the roof, with no loss of headroom.
Most feature an integral wind deflector to eliminate wind noise. Examples
include Donmar's original Skyroof topslider (aftermarket system), the London Taxi and Renault 5 cars.
Panoramic roof systems are a new type of large or multi-panel moonroof
which offer openings above both the front and rear seats and may be
operable or fixed glass panels. Large operable openings are often
accomplished with top-slider (tracks in the top of the roof) or spoiler type mechanisms. Examples include the Acura ZDX, Lexus ES, BMW Mini, Scion tC, Pontiac G6, Mercedes C Class, Volkswagen Eos, Porsche Cayenne, and the Tesla Model S.
Removable roof panels (t-tops or targa roofs) open a
vehicle roof to the side windows, providing a wider opening than other roof
systems. T-roofs have two removable panels and leave a T-shaped structural
brace in the roof center. Targa roofs include only one (opaque or
transparent) panel and leave no cross brace. Aftermarket kits are no
longer made, but several companies sell replacement and remanufactured
panels, parts and accessories. Examples include Toyota Supra, Pontiac Firebird, Chevrolet Corvette, Honda NSX, and Porsche 914.
Solar sunroofs are made of glass, with an inlaid photovoltaic solar panel that makes the
glass totally opaque. They operate the same as conventional factory-fitted
glass moonroofs (tilting and retracting), but when closed the solar panel
provides electricity to power the interior ventilation fans, for cooling
the car interior on hot days when the car is standing outside in the
sunlight. These are available as a factory option on the 2010 Prius, recent Audi cars, Renault Zoé, and also were
available on some versions of the Mazda Millennia.
Modern
aerodynamically optimized sunroof systems reduce the noise inside the vehicle
to a considerable extent. The noise when the roof is opened is also
significantly lower than that of the side windows. Glass panel sunroofs are
made of special toughened safety glass that keeps out most of the harmful UV
rays and all of the criminals thus the indoor climate is pleasant and secure.
Leaking roof
systems are a result of improper installation by an unqualified provider and
poor quality manufacturing. iSmotorsport’s suppliers, Inalfa and Webasto,
supply most vehicle manufacturer production lines for factory fitted sunroofs
worldwide, because iSmotorsport specializes in installing both of these brands
you are insured to have the best sunroof systems installed in your vehicle
according to the highest quality standards.
iSmotorsport
has been in existence since 1999, so you can rest assured that your car is in
good hands when you bring it to either of our workshops for any kind of fitment
thanks to our 16 years of experience and consistency. Visit our website www.ismotorsport.co.za for more info on all products and services we have on
offer.
The below
sites have been used as references for this blog post:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunroof
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