replacing skylight
We want to replace our 3 skylights when we fix up our roof. Are there any recommendations for energy-efficient skylights that do not lose enormous amounts of heat in the winter? What we have now are the skylights shaped like little sheds with the glass panes that have chicken wire inside. Maintaining security is also…
We want to replace our 3 skylights when we fix up our roof. Are there any recommendations for energy-efficient skylights that do not lose enormous amounts of heat in the winter?
What we have now are the skylights shaped like little sheds with the glass panes that have chicken wire inside. Maintaining security is also a concern.
Thanks.
I recently replaced chicken-wire skylights with insuldome clear tempered glass and am really happy with the result. In addition, I’ve got a frame about a foot under each skylight with a piece of plexiglass so there’s absolutely no air leaking through. You can get them with a latch that allows them to be opened in the summer but I didn’t opt for that. Call John Roggenkamp, 718-680-1217. He also sold me an insulated hatch for the roof and the top floor is a lot warmer than it used to be.
No need to buy through Metro when you can buy direct on 6th St. in Park Slope from: http://www.superiortinsmith.com/
For old fashion hip vent tempered glass skylights call
METRO RESTORATION at 718-521-1435.
Hip vent galvanized skylights are 10 times better then Insuladome skylights.
I have 2 Insula Dome operating glass skylights in my kitchen installed in 2005. I just (last week) discovered that the “architectural finish” on the exterior aluminum has mostly peeled off both of them. So I’m not happy. They weren’t cheap.
I have one “ventilating” Velux skylight in my bath since 1999, which means it doesn’t open but there is a flap you can leave open that provides ventilation. I paid a premium both for Velux and for that feature. It doesn’t ventilate a thing. So I’m not happy. It wasn’t cheap.
I have the mother of all skylights in my hall since 1999. Fixed. Brand X. The glass doesn’t seem to be insulated very well – it’s warm there in the summer and cool in the winter. I’m not sure a fancy brand would be much different. Considering what I paid for a skylight that big, I’m happy. And I’m loving that light !
Hey Arkady. They’re just links. Nothing proprietary about them.
You’re welcome to copy and post under your own name 😉
OP: Can’t say about your set-up, but my experience is that (because heat rises, duh) the biggest heat loss comes from not sealing the BOTTOM portion of the skylight (at the internal, ceiling level). Many, many people have posted previously about the methods they use for sealing their skylights during winter from both inside and out (try a forum search). We constructed a frame at the ceiling level into which we slide an acrylic sheet completely blocking the opening during winter months. If you’re inclined, you can read fire code at: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/CODE/LS-CODES.HTML
and NYC building code re: skylights starting on page 7 at:
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dob//downloads/bldgs_code/bc27s5.pdf
http://www.superiortinsmith.com/
I had also seen previous posts recommending:
http://bilco.com/
http://www.insula-dome.com/
http://www.newenglandskylights.com/
Posted by: vinca at March 31, 2009 1:44 PM