Use of natural daylight has been the focus of modern architecture, may it be complete transparent structures like greenhouses and conservatories, or partial coverings like skylights. A varied range of technological solutions are now available to meet all such skylight requirements. All those who plan on installing skylights wish to optimize light penetration and energy efficiency; and for this, there are a lot many considerations to make.
Placement of the skylight
The most important consideration for a skylight is its placement and orientation. Placing and orienting the skylight in the right way can maximize lighting effectiveness. Thus, you need to determine the best location to achieve optimal lighting by avoiding any kind of obstructions. This depends upon the building’s own orientation as well as the local climate.
Choosing the right optical properties
Because it is a skylight, it definitely needs to be transparent to bring in the sunlight; or at the least, semi-transparent. Depending upon what your requirement is, you need to choose a material that has the required light transmission level to achieve an optimal environment.
Matching the thermal properties of the skylight to your energy needs
Energy loss is a major concern for transparent roofs, which is why it is important to specify suitable thermal insulation properties of the skylight to mitigate potential losses. Thus, the material used for your skylight should have amazing thermal insulation properties.
Which is the best material?
Skylights are meant to improve the well-being of a building’s occupants, and the overall performance of the building too. Natural light improves one’s mood, and also saves energy. This is the reason skylights have been so much in use since the past many years, with many significant improvements seen in making more effective seals and offering better thermal performance. So, as you are planning your next project, make sure to install skylights into your design; and when you do, think how you can integrate natural light most efficiently to make the indoors more pleasant and bright, with improved energy efficiency.
Considering all that is required – transparency, insulation, strength, durability – polycarbonate seems to be the best choice for a skylight. Polycarbonate is available as clear and transparent, as well as the basic colors and textures/patterns to reduce the incoming light. Moreover, polycarbonate can effectively optimize interior lighting with minimal glare, while reducing solar heat gain. Polycarbonate can also be matched to a wide range of climates. It is one of the most durable materials known, which can withstand all kinds of impacts and environmental conditions, yet stand tall and sturdy.
But, when you plan on installing polycarbonate, make sure you get your material from the best and most reliable polycarbonate sheet suppliers. One such name is Just Polycarbonate, where you can get only the best quality materials made from A-grade raw materials and skilled technicians. Here, you have a wide range of polycarbonate types, colors and patterns to choose from. Also, you can choose to have the sheets cut to your required size, or buy the entire sheet and cut it easily with your saw.
