Unit Skylights

A rectangular shaped skylight will allow for all available options. It can be either fixed or operable and may be fabricated from all available frame materials with any glazing style. Rectangular shaped skylights are available both curb-mounted and self-flashing and may be single, double or triple glazed. Rectangular shaped skylights are also available in all frame finishes, dependent upon the frame material selected.

A circular skylight accommodates a round opening in the roof. While circular curb-mounted units are available, due to the difficulty of constructing a round curb on site, circular skylights are typically supplied with an integral curb to mount directly to the roof deck. Circular skylights are only available as fixed units in aluminum frames. Glazing options for circular skylights are limited to domes and flat glass. The circular frames will have either a natural aluminum (mill) finish or a bronze acrylic enamel painted finish.

An octagon skylight consists of eight equal sides around the perimeter and is only available as a fixed unit in a thermally broken aluminum frame. By providing a round interior well, octagon skylights are often used to allow for a circular appearance from the interior while allowing for a segmented curb to be built on site. An octagon skylight can utilize all available glazing styles and frame finishes and is available both curb-mounted and self-flashing.

A fixed skylight remains stationary at all times and does not permit ventilation or access to the roof.

A venting skylight is hinged to open outward a maximum distance of 10″ for ventilation. The operator contains a chain drive and comes standard in a white finish. The operator can be either manual and operate with a hand crank, or electrical and operate with a wall-mounted switch or wireless remote.

The standard vented skylight will hinge from the highest side of the skylight up the roof slope, which would also be the narrowest dimension, unless specified otherwise by the customer. Unless otherwise specified, a vented unit will come with a hand crank attached. Telescopic extension poles are available for units that are out of reach.

A skylight which is hinged to open outward to approximately 90 degrees and latch in place allowing a person access to a roof. The hatch is secured in the closed position with a keyed locking mechanism. Flat glass is not used in a hatch because of the heavy weight of the glass, which would have to be lifted by a person on a ladder. The standard hatched skylight will hinge on the longest dimension of the skylight, unless otherwise specified. The latching arm of a hatched skylight will mount to the finished wall or frame below the skylight. Thus, you will need to provide the interior finished wall dimension as well as outside curb and rough opening dimensions when ordering.

Aluminum is the least expensive of all the available frame materials, and is available in both fixed and operable units of all sizes. Because aluminum is an excellent conductor of energy, it can rapidly draw from a cold ambient condition outdoors, and transfer this to a warm and humid condition indoors, or visa versa, at which point condensation can form on the frame. For this reason, aluminum should not be considered in high humidity areas or where energy efficiency is of prime importance. In these situations, thermally broken aluminum should be used.

A thermally broken aluminum frame greatly reduces the possibility of condensation forming on the frame. It is an aluminum frame with a chamber filled with non-conductive polyurethane material to act as a “Thermal Break” so that the portion of the frame exposed to the exterior cannot conduct heat or cold to the interior portion of the frame, or visa versa. Thermally broken aluminum frames allow for the use of all available frame finishes in both fixed and operable units of all sizes.

Our dome shaped skylights are fabricated from acrylic sheet. Acrylic is a very stable glazing material well suited for withstanding weather and prolonged exposure to the sun. The acrylic sheet also gains a substantial amount of strength when formed to a dome profile. Dome skylights are available as either single, double, or triple glazed units. A dome shape skylight may be used on a roof of any pitch, including a flat roof where the shape of the dome itself will promote self-cleaning by quickly shedding moisture. The standard dome rise is approximately 25% of the width.

Our standard flat glass skylights are available only as double glazed units consisting of a clear tempered outboard with a low-e coating and a clear laminated (safety glass) inboard. Flat glass should only be used on a pitch of 15 degrees or greater allowing rain water to naturally rinse the skylight and prevent ponding of water. Flat glass units are not warranted if placed on a pitch of any less than 15 degrees.

Our pyramid shaped skylights are fabricated from acrylic sheet. Acrylic is a very stable glazing material well suited for withstanding weather and prolonged exposure to the sun. The acrylic sheet also gains a substantial amount of strength when formed to a pyramid profile. Pyramid skylights are available as either single, double, or triple glazed units. A pyramid shape skylight may be used on a roof of any pitch, including a flat roof where the shape of the pyramid itself will promote self-cleaning by quickly shedding moisture. The standard pitch for a pyramid shaped skylight is six in twelve.

A curb mounted skylight is manufactured to mount directly over a curb which is provided and properly flashed by others. It is the most cost-effective option. The curb is assumed to measure 1 1/2″ wide at a minimum and be at least 3 1/2″ tall. Rough opening dimensions of standard sizes are designed to align with rafters and joists below the curb. When curbs are wider than 1 ½”, please reference the outside curb dimension as opposed to the rough opening dimension.

A skylight with an integral self-flashing aluminum curb frame which incorporates 3/4″ of rigid insulation for aluminum models, and 1 ½” of rigid insulation for thermally-broken aluminum models. The self-flashing design primarily provides for attachment directly to the roof deck and not for the diversion of moisture. Roof flashing must cover the skylight attachment fasteners and continue up the skylight curb. Therefore, the standard exterior finish of an insulated curb is mill (natural aluminum), regardless of the frame finish ordered. The insulated curb is widely used for flat roof applications, but can be used on pitched roofs as well.

A self-flashing skylight is similar to an insulated curb model but with no insulation. An aluminum self-flashing skylight should only be used where energy loss and condensation resistance are of no importance.

A single glazed skylight provides no insulating value and should only be used where energy loss and condensation resistance are of no importance. Single glazed skylights are only available in aluminum frames with dome or pyramid glazing styles as standard units.

A double glazed skylight is the most commonly used. It provides a dead airspace between the glazings, which provides an insulating value. Double glazed skylights are available in all glazing styles and frame materials. Our standard flat glass skylights are only offered as double glazed.

A triple glazed skylight is generally used when extreme temperature and/or humidity differences exist between the interior & exterior space. A triple glazed skylight provides increased insulating value by providing two dead air spaces between three separate glazing layers. The additional insulating value reduces energy transfer and the probability of condensation developing. Triple glazed units are offered as standard products with dome and pyramid profiles in PVC and thermally broken aluminum frames. Triple glazed skylights are also used where noise reduction is of concern.