Skylights

Skylights and glass roofs are important for providing natural daylight; however, they must be designed properly with the correct glazing technology and products to ensure that they are not impacting the comfort of the internal environment. Comfort in buildings is achieved through stable temperature and low noise transmission.

SCS can provide a variety of products and advice on how to best achieve your design and performance goals. The performance of the glass roof will be impacted by the type of glazing and the exact type of glass used.

Single Glazed Glass Roof and Skylight

Single glazed glass roofs and skylights are cost effective and lightweight, leading to quicker and easier installation. Single glazing is the ideal choice for cases that require only weather protection (e.g., outdoor spaces) and do not require high thermal insulation. Typical uses for single glazed glass roofs include:

• Glazed pergolas/patios
• Outdoor entertainment areas/outdoor dining areas
• Greenhouses
• Glass awnings
• Walkways and stairways
• Pool/spa enclosures

Double Glazed Glass Roof and Skylight

Double glazed glass roofs, depending on the makeup can be cost effective, considering the resulting thermal and acoustic benefits. As a minimum double glazing should be used for glass roofs that are over interior conditioned areas (e.g., living areas, offices etc.). Typical uses for double glazed glass roofs include:

• Living areas
• Dining areas
• Indoor entertainment areas
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Sunroom enclosures/conservatories
• Office areas

Triple Glazed Glass Roof and Skylight

Triple glazed glass roofs offer extremely high thermal performance and acoustic insulation. Triple glazed glass roofs are used in buildings that are looking to achieve low energy usage or Passive House Certification. Typical uses for triple glazed glass roofs include:

• Living areas
• Dining areas
• Indoor entertainment areas
• Saunas/spas
• Bedrooms
• Sunroom enclosures/conservatories Passive House or Low Energy Buildings

Skylight and glass roofs must be designed and installed carefully to ensure compliance with Australian Standards and building codes. The final product must be compliant, safe and water/draft proof.

SCS delivers skylight and glass roof projects from start to finish. We offer services from initial pricing of the project through to detailed design, construction drawings, installation and certification. Detailed engineering design can be provided by SCS, with both calculations and compliance certification when required by the project’s Building Surveyor.

Skylights and glass roofs are often completely exposed to the weather, so it is essential that they are designed to optimise water run-off and ensure there are no small gaps for water to penetrate and leak through. Incorrect waterproofing, missing seals, lack of fixings or insufficient structural strength can lead to high value damages and insurance claims.

Skylight and glass roof installation can be tricky as they are often installed in places that are hard to access. SCS has experience and the correct qualifications to carry out these works safely and compliantly. We manage the whole process including crane hire if required and high access equipment (e.g., scaffolding, scissor lift etc.).

Velux skylights are a popular choice for many architects and building designs for use in commercial and residential buildings. Velux is an international skylight supplier, with branches in many different companies. Velux skylights are made and tested to Australian conditions, come with high performing double glazing and are available with a number of smart accessories such as blinds, rain sensors and flyscreens.

Velux offers a wide variety of standardised skylights in both openable and fixed to suit pitched and flat roof buildings. Openable skylights are available in solar powered, electric and manual. In addition to ventilation, Velux supplies a range of roof windows that can be used for access. Velux roof windows can transform attic paces into beautiful living areas filled with daylight and fresh air.

Custom skylights are required on some projects, where large spans or unique shapes are required. For these projects, standardised products will not be suitable. SCS can design, supply, install and certify custom skylights in single, double and triple glazing.

SCS can customise the framing material and glazing type used to ensure that the custom skylight integrates into the building design and provides the required performance.

Automated skylights are essential for providing ventilation or access for residential and commercial buildings. Automated skylights can come in a range of opening types, such as sliding, wind out, tilting, swing or pivot. Automating these systems creates ease of operation and allows you to set up these systems with your home automation.

All our systems can be remote or wall switch operated. In most cases these systems are also supplied with rain and wind sensors to ensure that both the product and the internal environment are protected from adverse weather.