Performance and Advantages of Glass Skylight Roofs
Glass skylight roof design should address the following performance criteria:
Strength: resistance to wind (and snow) loads. Consider regional wind speeds and corresponding wind and snow pressures.
Seismic performance: earthquake damage modes are varied. Design must ensure reliable connections to primary supports and resistance to compression deformation.
Air tightness: sealed glass skylight roofs require strict air tightness—critical for air-conditioned buildings.
Water tightness: ability to prevent rainwater ingress under combined wind and rain, or with melted snow and ponding.
Thermal insulation: heat transfer from hot to cold side and inward transfer after absorbing solar radiation. U-value varies by glass type—coated reflective glass, monolithic float glass, insulated glass, coated insulated glass, polycarbonate, and acrylic systems differ markedly.
Other factors: acoustic performance, fire protection, hail resistance, and lightning protection. Glass skylight roofs are specialized, complex technology—small in footprint but demanding in engineering.
Exterior shading systems for glass skylight roofs offer:
Fast installation: factory-made to site measurements; on-site work mainly involves embeds and fixing points.
Excellent shading: blocks solar radiation at the outer glass layer; far less heat enters than with interior shading. A ~10 cm air gap enables convection and better energy savings.
Easy maintenance: exterior platforms allow ground-level-style installation and repair without scaffolding.
Safety protection: exterior shading forms a protective layer, reducing impact damage, limiting sun exposure, lowering surface temperature, and reducing spontaneous breakage risk.
