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Skylight - Snowload Option or Not?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I need to replace an old plexiglass skylight. I just recently put a line of silicone around it because it was leaking water, not at the flashing, but it's separating from the frame due to age. It's also drafty in cold weather, and hot in hot weather. And my carpet under the plexiglass is faded from the sunlight with no UV protection.

I spoke with Velux customer service who was friendly and helpful. I have a flat roof. The skylight will be fixed. Velux recommended the snowload option. I live in the Chicago area, and we can get one or two big snowstorms some years, but others we get none, and some years the snowfall is minimal. I thought the snowload option was for people who live in Vail or Buffalo or places like that which get many feet of snow. How do I know if I should get the snowload skylight?

Featured Answer

millworkman

7 years ago

I would get the glass, snowload your choice but I wouldn't worry about. And I would stay away from poly-carbonate.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
7 years ago
More is more in this case. Depending on the size of the skylight, I would opt for the stronger unit. You could also use a dome shaped unit to shed the snow or rip the curbing down so that the skylight sits at and angle to the roof.
friedajune thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
friedajune
Original Author
7 years ago
It's a small skylight at the top of a stairwell. It measures 41 x 41. I don't see that the Velux comes in a dome shape unless I go to the polycarbonate type.
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I suspect you would pay considerably more to have it built by a carpenter and it wouldn't come close to the quality of a Velux skylight. I see no advantage in plastic glazing for a skylight. The more important consideration is degradation from UV light. As for strength Velux makes the following glass: -Tempered (like car side windows) -Laminated glass (like a car windshield) -Impact glass (hurricane areas) -Miami-Dade glass (stronger hurricane protection) -White laminated glass -Snowload glass Velux makes a curb/flashing kit that is intended for low slope metal roofs. You are not paying for anything you don't need.
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PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
7 years ago
What is the next most standard size? Sometimes you can go up or down a tiny bit and just change some of the curb framing for the adjustment.
friedajune thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
millworkman
7 years ago
All domes will be poly-carbonate as far as I am aware.
friedajune thanked millworkman
friedajune
Original Author
7 years ago
I am a little confused now. I had wanted to get away from the plexiglass dome. The old one I have now is that, and there is no UV protection or insulation. The Velux I am looking at is UV protected with 2 layers of glass with argon between them. Are you saying I should get a dome style instead, regardless that they only come in plexiglass?
friedajune
Original Author
7 years ago
Will do Millworkman!
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
7 years ago
Here in Milwaukee (same weather) I don't know that I have ever sold a snow load unit, or even gotten that recommendation. Perhaps it is the flat roof that they are concerned about. Definitely does not hurt to get it though.
friedajune thanked HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
friedajune
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I will see what the upcharge is for the snowload option, and if it's not way high, I'll get it, just so I don't have to worry about it or think about it at the next blizzard. Like you said, the roof is flat. I can't imagine that snowload strength would be really a lot more money, since the skylight won't be big.

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