In the past flat roofs were sort of like your dysfunctional uncle. He was always around but nobody wanted to talk about him. Like your uncle there just wasn’t a lot that could be done with a flat roof and so it was left to its own devices. In recent years however architects and interior designers have discovered the benefits of installing skylights in flat roofs. Those benefits range from the environmental to the aesthetic to the downright practical and, as a result, the flat roof has become the new frontier of commercial design and development.

The Best Commercial Skylights for Your Flat Roof

While most everyone agrees that flat roof skylights are an idea whose time has come not everyone is aware of which type of commercial skylights are best for their flat roof. Below we’re going to take a look at the issue and provide some guidance you’ll hopefully find helpful.

Flat Roof Skylights: Basic Considerations

Flat roof skylights have gained favour because of their ability to exploit the wide open spaces of the roof to deliver natural light into commercial enterprises. Some commercial skylights are fixed, (they cannot be opened and closed) while others are retractable and still others are made of reinforced glass that can actually be walked on. So which type is right for your business? To find an answer to that question consider the following:

• Drainage – Perhaps the most crucial difference between the sloped roof skylight and the flat roof skylight is drainage. This is an issue that needs to be addressed not only in the way the roof is designed, but in the type of skylight you install. In most (not all) cases domed skylights are recommended for flat roofs because they do a better job of dispersing rainwater than other skylights.

• Size – While it may be tempting to put the largest flat roof skylight ever created on your roof to let in as much light as possible, it’s not always a matter of ‘bigger is better’ when it comes to skylights. Some roofs are simply not designed to have enormous openings carved into them and huge heavy commercial skylights dumped into those openings. As such you need to keep structural considerations up front when you are planning to install flat roof skylights.

• Surroundings – Even if you determine that your roof is perfectly capable of supporting as many large domed skylights as you want to install the fact is the surrounding environment may call for a more restrained deployment of roof skylights. That is, if yours is a relatively low building and there are numerous trees in the surrounding area you’ll want to consider whether falling branches from those trees represent a clear and present danger to your skylight plans. If they do you may want to cut back on the number and size of your roof skylights or install skylights with the type of reinforced glass we mentioned earlier.

To learn more about flat roof skylights or to discuss any aspect of commercial skylights with one of our experts, give us a call today on (416) 665-4482.

Skylights are often seen as a kind of architectural indulgence but that narrow assessment doesn’t give them their due as a green home improvement; which they certainly are. Today’s skylights are every bit as energy efficient as the best double pane vinyl windows and the natural light they let in can result in lower costs for heating and lighting as well as a more welcoming environment for plants. Not convinced? Let’s take a look then at how residential skylights fare against other green home improvements.

Residential Skylights: Are They Really Green?

Residential skylights are not just beautiful they also compare favourably to other common environmentally responsible enhancements like:

• Dual Pane Windows – Standard dual pane windows – the kind you install in your kitchen and living room – provide effective insulation against heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. As such they help you save energy and money. Most of today’s skylights are also dual pane and as such need to be considered on par with the rest of your energy saving windows.
• Tankless water heater – Tankless water heaters heat only the water you need when you need it. They free you from having to have 50 gallons or more of hot water constantly sitting around gobbling up energy. Today’s home skylights also provide you what you need on demand. They let the warm sunshine in on those frigid cold days and open to allow heat to vent from the house on those blistering hot afternoons.
• The Programmable Thermostat – The programmable thermostat can adjust the temperature in your home automatically, eliminating the chance that you’ll forget to turn the temp down before you go to work or sleep. Likewise, you can install motorized shades over your skylights that are programmed to close during those times of the day when direct sunlight might cause your home to overheat.

The Many Green Benefits of Skylights

Few green home improvements can stand side by side with home skylights when it comes to:

• Reducing energy consumption – Skylights can reduce your dependency on artificial lighting thereby generating substantial savings on your monthly electric bill.
• Creating a healthier environment – Skylights bring natural light into long forgotten areas and natural light brings with it a reduction in the amount of potentially dangerous mold and bacteria that propagate in the dark, dank places of the home.
• Lifting the atmosphere – Numerous studies have concluded that people not only perform better, they feel better when the live and work in spaces that are flooded with natural light. As such skylights in the home can lift everyone’s spirits and make it a more upbeat, inviting place.

Residential skylights will not only enhance the curb appeal of your home they’ll make it a far more energy efficient, healthy and welcoming place for everyone. To learn more about the many green benefits of skylights and how they can transform the interior of your home talk to the skylight experts at Aluplex on (416) 665-4482.

Move over, chandeliers, there’s a new way to provide lighting and style to your home. For years now, skylights have grown in popularity due to their sleek design and energy consumption benefits, but some are better than others. Here’s all you need to know about pyramid skylights and the benefits they have that others don’t.

When it Comes to Water Management, Pyramid Skylights Lead the Way

When we think of skylights, we tend to associate them with sunshine and give little thought to rain – but that could prove costly. Some skylights are better equipped to deal with rain than others, and a pyramid skylight is one of them. Whilst flat skylights are a great product, their retention of water both looks unsightly and could cause problems down the line. A pyramid, however, is much more effective simply because of its shape. Water will simply roll down, rather than gather, and so you don’t have to worry about it pooling and causing damage to your home.

Aerodynamically Sound

Some skylights may buckle under a strong wind, but the sharp, sleek corners of a pyramid skylight means it’s aerodynamic and is up to the test. With less wind pushing against the face of the skylight, you won’t have to worry about it potentially being damaged or flying away to Oz any time soon.

Aesthetically Pleasing

As welcome on your home as they would be in a gallery, a pyramid shaped skylight is definitely a headline grabber. For centuries people have wondered about the pyramids and now you have a chance to incorporate its style onto your home. Where some skylights may look as though they belong in the 70s, pyramids offer a sleek, minimal design that’s bound to get chins wagging and increase the curb appeal of your home.

Increased Lighting

Skylights are associated with letting the sunshine through into your property, and pyramid ones can do it better than others. By shining onto the prism, light is transferred down into your property at a wide angle, illuminating more than other types may. Not only does this mean you get more natural light for your money, the fact that it covers a wider area than other skylight types means that you won’t have to rely as much on electrical lights in your home. This can save on both your energy costs and your carbon footprint.

A Cheap Focal Point

Raising the roof level of your home will cost you thousands, but you can easily achieve a similar effect with a pyramid skylight. This will give your room a focal point around which you can organize you furniture to provide a sense of elegance that other skylight types simply can’t offer you.

Skylights – All are Good, but Some are Better than Others

Skylights are a modern, forward-thinking home improvement that can not only have save the planet, but save you money as well. As you’ve read, pyramids lead the way for the skylights, offering a range of benefits such as increased natural lighting whilst also looking great, too.

Pyramid skylights are designed to add a touch of visual interest and elegance to your otherwise mundane roof. They are primarily used on flat roofs and are often installed in clusters. They’re a high value aesthetic choice for both residential and commercial buildings but that aesthetic value can be compromised if, among other things, the wrong size of pyramid skylight is installed or they are installed without giving due consideration to their location. Below we’re going to take a look at the things you’ll want to consider to ensure your skylights complement rather than spoil the look of your roof.

Pyramid Skylights: Things to Consider

Pyramid skylights are the most effective way to bring light into your home or commercial enterprise all through the day. That’s because the pyramid shape allows them to capture light from every angle. Below are the most important things you’ll want to consider to ensure your skylights wind up an aesthetic asset rather than an aesthetic detriment.

• Size – The size of the pyramids you install is crucial to getting the most out of their ability to capture light. In most cases our customers find that choosing slightly larger skylights than they originally envisioned is a good idea. Ask one of our experts to demonstrate how a slightly larger skylight can benefit your home or business both practically and aesthetically.

• Positioning – Placement of your new pyramid skylight is as important as size. It’s one thing to select a larger skylight than you originally envisioned, it’s another thing to place it in a way that takes advantage of all the light it can capture. Placing your skylight on the roof under an overhanging tree is a mistake for 2 reason. First the tree will block light for at least half the day and second, if there is a heavy wind event you run the risk of a falling branch cracking or even breaking the skylight. The experts at Aluplex will be happy to help you determine the right placement for your skylights.

• The Installation – You can have a perfectly sized skylight and choose the ideal location for it but if the installation is poor the skylight can wind up doing more harm than good. Water leaking in around a poorly installed skylight can rot the roof joists, destroy fiberglass insulation in the roof and walls and leak down onto carpeting and furniture. All that moisture in the walls can also become a breeding ground for bacteria and potentially dangerous mold. When the experienced pros from Aluplex install your skylights you’ll rest easy knowing they’re good to go for years to come.

Experience: The Aluplex Difference

Aluplex has installed scores of pyramid skylights for residential and commercial customers across the GTA. No one is more experienced and no one has as many satisfied customers. In order to ensure you choose the right skylights for your home or business contact the pros and Aluplex and talk to one of our skylight experts.

A great way to make both your business look good and to save money, commercial skylights are growing in popularity as people are becoming more and more aware of their benefits. If you’re considering buying a skylight for your commercial enterprise, here’s a guide that will help you to get the right skylight and help you to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Commercial Skylights – Do Your Plans Comply with any Potential Regulations?

Skylights are a great choice for any business but, depending on where you’re based, there could be some red tape in the way that determines exactly how big you need your skylight to be. An example of this is in California; any building that is over 5,000 square feet must have at least 75% of the floor plan lit by natural light. These kinds of regulations vary depending on where you are, so it may be a good idea to check the rules of where you’re based before you go ahead and order. Or, better yet, have your skylight company or contractor do it. They’ll know the business inside out, and will be more than happy to offer assistance.

Consider the Materials

Commercial skylights are available in a few different materials, each with their own benefits. The most popular two are that of glass and plastic. Plastic skylights are the cheapest option and are great at providing softer lighting to your business and can be arranged in different colours and shapes to prevent glare or hotspots from occurring. Glass skylights are more expensive but typically last longer, prevent outside sounds from being heard inside and are easier to maintain. Glass is also more versatile, with a range of different glass types that can be tailored to provide exactly what you want in terms of light allowance and heat retention. Whilst both are good choices, you should consider in depth what it is you want from your skylight and how they’ll work in your property.

Choose the Right Style

When it comes to commercial skylights, three dominant styles are available, each with their own benefits.

Tubular skylights

A passive skylight, tubular skylights are the go-to option to provide light to smaller, more enclosed spaces. They work by carrying light through a highly reflective tube, meaning they’re a great option if you need to get your light deep inside a property.

Prismatic skylights

The prism-effect of these skylights means light will hit them and travel down far and wide, illuminating a large area with soft, natural light.

Solar-tracking

By following the sun via GPS, the mirror can move to reflect light down into the building, providing optimal levels of lighting at all times of the day – perfect if you’re worried about the amount of light.

Easier than it Looks

Whilst it may look like there’s a lot to consider, choosing a commercial skylight isn’t too hard. If you have an idea of what you want, simply talk to your contractor and they’ll be able to make most of the hard decisions for you, and you’ll be able to impress him by relaying what you’ve just read. There are plenty of choices but one thing’s for certain – skylights are definitely the way forward.

When it comes to the home, more and more people are thinking of ways that they can become energy efficient. Whether you want to save the planet or save your money, becoming more energy efficient is easier than you think, and a great place to start is with a residential skylight.

How Can Residential Skylights Reduce Energy Consumption?

Lowering your home’s energy consumption can be done in many ways, and just a skylight alone has several ways in which it can help to reduce your overall consumption. A reduction in consumption can be achieved through:

• A Skylight’s Use of Natural Light

The clue is pretty much in the name – sky light. The fact that a skylight permits the entry of natural light into your home is arguably its best feature, and is a key feature when it comes to reducing energy consumption. By relying on bright, natural light coming in to your home, you’re negating the need for electrical lights to be running through the day, lowering your carbon footprint quite considerably. Not only will this reduce energy consumption, it will provide numerous health benefits and see your energy bills cut, too.

• Greenhouse-Like Solar Heating

A further feature that you might not know about skylights is the effect they can have on the heat of your home. Much like a greenhouse utilizes glass to trap and contain heat, your skylight can have the same effect. By positioning it facing eastwards, you’ll get the sun as it’s rising, warming the room in the morning. If it’s facing the west, you’ll have the same effect but later on in the day. This results in lesser energy consumption as you may not need to rely on the heating system in your home as much – you’ll be harnessing the power of the sun itself.

• Effective Heat Retention

Having a greenhouse effect isn’t the only one that a residential skylight will keep your house warmer. Given the high quality glass panes in skylights, they’re extremely effective when it comes to retaining heat inside your home, meaning you won’t have to run the furnace for quite so long or quite so high, lowering your energy consumption.

• Added Ventilation

A further benefit that a residential skylight will provide for your home is the added ventilation it can offer. Rather than having to use fans in order to provide air circulation and keep your home cool, you can open the skylight to take advantage of the breeze. Fan usage results in a serious number of electrical units consumed and you can run up quite a high bill, so this feature of a skylight is definitely welcome and a great way to reduce consumption.

Skylights – More than Simply an Attractive Feature

Skylights are popular because they look great, but they offer so much more than that. Whether it’s helping to heat your home or offer extra ventilation, they come with a range of benefits that people don’t know about and are pleasantly surprised by. One thing’s for sure – if you choose skylights, both the planet and your wallet will thank you.