Glass vs. Plastic for Flat Roof Skylights

In making your decision to whether install glass skylights or to install its equally popular counter, plastic skylights, it would be helpful to list down the differences of glass skylights from plastic skylights. First thing to
consider is that, glass skylights have several features that are not commonly found in plastic skylights. One is that glass skylights are able to efficiently maximize energy usage than that with plastic skylights. This is due to the fact that, typically, glass skylights have solar coating added to its composition to provide insulation. These solar coatings are usually made of gas and argon. The solar insulation coating of glass skylights permits for increased deduction in the buildup of heat up to 65% or more. plastic skylights don’t have these insulation coatings. 

Also, upon installation, glass skylights are secured air tight and tempered adding to its longevity and warranty. Unfortunately, plastic skylights warranty proves to be most of the time unpredictable. Lastly, in comparing glass skylights to plastic skylights, it is important to cite that glass skylights do not hinder or distort the clear view of the outdoors. And glass skylights also do not discolor over time as opposed to plastic skylights.

The most attractive feature of glass skylights are in fact their limitless potential to be so much more decorative than other skylight forms available today. Homeowners and contractors may choose to add a wide array of adornments. Some designs of glass skylights are sometimes purely for the beauty of it. Sometimes it is to control the amount of daylight coming in as well, and also sometimes for privacy reasons. With glass skylights, customization is highly possible and patronized. Among the many type of glass skylight designs, the most popular ones these days are stained glass skylights and antique glass skylights.

Now that you know the perks of glass skylights, it would also be help in your decision, to know the three most common disadvantages of glass skylights. First disadvantage is that heat buildups in higher glass skylights. Second is that maintenance of glass skylights are difficult. Third is that glass skylights tend to pose safety hazard especially to those living in extremely cold or extremely hot places.

Lastly, aside from deciding whether glass or plastic will be used for the skylights, it is also essential to consider the shape and form of the skylight you will be installing. Experienced and master homebuilders would highly suggest dome skylights as your best model of glass skylights. Why choose dome skylights as your glass skylights? Technically, dome skylights have heights of approximately 25% of their widths. This permits the water to quickly flow off the surfaces of the dome skylights. This creative design of the dome skylights to allow easy water runoff is the one feature of dome skylights which can make your glass skylights perfect for your new home.