Skylight Life Expectancy.

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Skylight Life Expectancy.

Why are skylights important? In order to answer this question, we must first assess basic human needs. For any living thing to flourish, sunlight has to be present. The same ideology applies to people. Having an abundance of daylight increases productivity and lifts the mood. One way to go about creating more light (both in the workplace and at home) is by installing skylights. Skylights are energy efficient and satisfy the basic need to see and be in contact with the outside world. Not only does a skylight generate more light than a window, but it is both aesthetically pleasing and adds value to the property (due to its energy efficiency).

Although windows allow for natural daylight to come into an office, they cannot be strategically placed like skylights. Skylights allow for maximum light penetration into a building, and their sometimes unique placements gives the office environment an edge over traditional office settings. By having a skylight in areas with limited natural light, it maximizes daylight in these areas, thereby improving the overall condition of that environment.

But how long does a skylight last, and what makes them superior to windows? Typically, a skylight can last between 8-15 years, depending on how well it was installed and the quality of the skylight’s manufacturing. Additionally, incorrect or improper installation can lead to a leak from the skylight edges (not through the skylight) where the skylight meets the building frame. Also, a broken skylight (due to wearing away from environmental conditions and the sun) can also leak, or may even break due to age, or if it is hit by something.

Other things that can affect the life span of a skylight is when a sealer or caulking is applied to fix a leak. This doesn’t allow the skylight the “breathing room” it needs to fluctuate (expand and contract) with the changes of the weather. Over time, this may cause the skylight to crack or fracture, ultimately leading to a broken skylight.

Whether to choose glass or acrylic, really depends on the user’s preference, since Plasteco skylights are available in both options. Plasteco skylights allow the beauty of natural light to fill your building. Options include Plasteco’s Continuous Vaulted Skylights, which are light in weight and provide an economical solution to daylighting large rectangular areas, or the Structural Barrel Vault Skylights, which provide an economical and practical means of presenting daylight and spaciousness to a lobby, atrium or the interior of a building. Other Plasteco skylight products include the Half Round Structural Barrel Vault Skylights, which provide the designer the opportunity to present an eye-catching exterior to the building while bringing in daylight and opening the building interior, and the Quarter Round Structural Barrel Vault Skylights, which are used in lieu of acrylic and glass lean-to skylights. By choosing a Plasteco skylight, you are extending the life expectancy of your skylight, and lessening the impact of environmental elements such as UV rays, pollution and chemical compounds.

Ensure your skylights will look like new and be new for years to come when you choose skylights from Plasteco.

Sources:

Windows, Doors, and Skylights

Life Expectancy Chart for Homes

Skylight Window Comparison

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