SKYLIGHTS 101

Welcome to our overview of residential skylights.  This web page was written to provide a basic understanding of skylights, their applications, common terminology and basic features.  Please move on to FAQ’s  for SKYLIGHTS or the specific product pages for more detailed information and specifications.

You may know that skylights were first used in Europe (invented by VELUX) over sixty-five years ago.  In Europe then and now it is very rare to see a non-venting skylight.  The very name VELUX is derived from VE -- ventilation and LUX – light.  The concept of allowing fresh air and sunlight into a building proved to be very popular, thus the skylight industry was born.

Fixed Skylights Verses Venting Skylights

Skylights come in two types; Fixed and Venting.  

                                             
                                     VELUX Fixed (non-venting) Skylight

There is absolutely no evidence that one type leaks more than the other.  In fact VELUX skylights, properly installed, do not leak and VELUX backs that up with its 10 year "No Leak" promise.   
                                          
VELUX manufactures two models of venting skylights; one that features a manual operation and another that operates electrically.  Both carry the VELUX 10 year guarantee and both have benefits the other does not.  For instance, the manually operated units are great in low-ceiling applications like bonus rooms over a garage or where the skylight is within easy reach.  They cost much less than their electrical counterpart and are very simple to open  and close.  
                       
Electrically Venting Skylight                                           VELUX Manually Venting Skylight

The electrically venting units are operated by a hand-held wireless remote that can control as many as ten skylights simultaneously.  They can be set to close with a built-in timer and will automatically shut if the weather changes.  Our customers who have replaced manual skylights with electrical units tell us they use their electrically venting units much more than they ever used the manually venting skylights.  Older individuals or people with balance problems also enjoy the ease of electrical operation.

Curb-mounted verses Deck-mounted Skylights

Skylights are installed on a house in one of two ways.  Deck-mounted units are preferred for new installations on pitched or sloped roofs.  They install through the roof deck, have a slightly lower profile and trim out beautifully inside the light shaft or on a cathedral ceiling.  

                                      
VELUX Deck-mounted Skylight                       VELUX Curb-mounted Skylight          

Curb-mounted units are actually installed on a wooden curb (usually 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 frame) on the roof.  They are the only skylight used on flat or low-sloped roofs but can also be used on long, steep roofs where heavy rain could cascade over a deck-mounted unit  potentially causing leaks.  Curb-mounted units can be installed vertically or horizontally and are often used to fit over existing openings from odd-sized skylights on flat or pitched roofs.  Both deck and curb-mounted skylights come in fixed, manual and electrically venting models.

Deck-mounted Roof Windows

Originally a European product, VELUX roof windows offer the advantage of emergency escape...they open much wider than traditional skylights and are often used where fire codes demand an auxiliary exit. 
 
                                      
        VELUX Roof Window                            VELUX Cabrio Roof Window
     
VELUX offer two unique models of roof windows in several different sizes.

Pan-Flashed Skylights

Just when you thought you had it figured out we offer a third option, the “Pan-Flashed” skylight.   
                                     
                  VELUX Pan-Flashed (self-flashed) Skylight

These skylights come with their own flashing system and do not require the EDL or ECL flashing kits necessary for deck and curb mounted skylights.  Often used by commercial roofers, the pan-flashed units attach directly to the roof deck and require a commercial roofing sealant.  The roofing contractor then shingles up to and around the base of the unit.

The Glass

VELUX manufactures skylights with a number of glazing options.  All VELUX glass skylights are built using energy efficient, low-E3, Argon gas injected, dual tempered glass panes.  
                                            
       VELUX Tempered Glass                 VELUX Laminated/Tempered Glass   

Most residential applications in our area require either the standard tempered or the laminated/tempered glass skylights.  The laminated units have a safety glass pane laminated inside the lower tempered glass panel making it safer in locations where heavy objects might fall.  They are required where building code mandates laminated glass on venting units over a certain size.  The lamination also significantly increases the Ultra-Violet (UV) light protection.  High Impact, Miami-Dade, White laminated and Heavy snow-load glazings are all special-order options available on specific models.  We try to never use acrylic or plastic bubble skylights on residential applications; they just don't provide the thermal insulation or the UV protection needed for a home.