GLAZING.

Laminated glass, also referred to as “safety glass” can be installed in skylights as a single pane glazing, or as the interior lite of an insulating glass unit. Laminated glass for architectural application is comprised of two monolithic layers of glass bonded together by a .030 or .060 pvb (plastic interlayer). Because of this pvb interlayer, if breakage occurs, laminated glass can remain anchored in the skylight frame. Laminated architectural glass is also essentially opaque to UV radiation (blocking 99%) and stable over time. Thickness of laminated glass in a skylight application shall be determined by the overall span of each individual bay of glass. Please contact us for a recommendation.

Tempered glass is also considered ‘safety glass’ because if broken, tempered glass will typically break into a tiny piece pattern, rather than large shards as annealed glass. Tempered glass is approximately four times as strong as annealed glass. Tempered glass alone, will not meet safety requirements for skylight glazing, but may be used as the outer lite in insulating glass.

Heat Strengthened Glass is approximately twice as strong as annealed glass. Heat strengthened glass will typically break into large pieces, and is not considered a safety glass product, however, heat strengthening laminated glass in a skylight increases the spanning capacity of each bay.

Insulating glass increases a skylight’s thermal performance. Insulating Glass utilized in skylights is comprised of a 1/4” thick tempered outer lite, over a laminated glass interior lite. These two lites are separated by a dessicant filled spacer, which absorbs the insulating glass unit’s internal moisture. Thickness of laminated glass in a skylight application shall be determined by the overall span of each individual bay of glass. Please contact us for a recommendation.

Glass Coatings

Low-Emissivity Coatings (Low-E) • Low-E coatings, which are applied to glass, reflect invisible long-wave infrared or heat. They reduce heat gain or loss in a building by redirecting the heat. In addition, low-e coatings only moderately decrease light transmission while reducing heat transfer.

Solar Reflective Coatings • Reflective coatings reduce solar heat gain through higher reflection and absorption with the glass appearing mirror-like. The reflective coating can be positioned on either the first (#1) or second (#2) surface.

Decorative Silkscreened Glass • Designers can choose from a wide palette of standard and custom patterns, as well as standard and custom colors to create a subtle or bold look. When combined with clear or tinted glass substrates, and a performance coating, silkscreened glass can reduce glare and decrease solar transmission.