The Benefits of Brett Martin Flat Glass vs Mardome Polycarbonate Domes

Brett Martin manufacture both flat glass and polycarbonate dome rooflights, let’s take a look at the benefits of both to help you decide which one is best for you.

Firstly here are the benefits of choosing Brett Martin Flat Glass:

  • Excellent thermal insulation, meaning heat transfer from the inside of the building to the outside is minimised.
  • Great sound insulation meaning less noise from outside.
  • Has a premium appearance for overlooked roofs.
  • Completely bespoke sizes available.
  • Special glass specifications available including self-clean, and solar control to reduce the risk of overheating while maximising light transmission.
  • Fixed variants are Secured by Design accredited as standard for peace of mind.

Now let’s take a look at the benefits of choosing Mardome polycarbonate domes:

  • An economical way of bringing daylight in.
  • They are light weight, this means they are easy to manually manoeuvre on to roofs.
  • Available in a wide range of sizes and opening options, as well as a selection of thermal insulation and lighting effect options available on short lead times.
  • The only polycarbonate dome available with Secured by Design option.

Conclusion

Finally let’s take a look at the benefits for both Brett Martin Flat Glass and Mardome Polycarbonate Domes.

  • 48 hour delivery as standard on a wide range of sizes and options.
  • A 10 year warranty available on both.
  • Both have trickle and comfort opening ventilation options available, with concealed mechanisms on powered opening variants for a clean internal appearance.
  • Both are non-fragile, meaning anyone accidentally walking or falling onto the rooflight will not fall through the rooflight.
  • More daylight area than many competitors thanks to steeply sloped kerbs.

Mardome Glass Fixed with Upstand

Mardome Trade Fixed Rooflight

The post The Benefits OF Brett Martin Flat Glass vs Polycarbonate Domes appeared first on The Skylight Company.

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By: admin
Title: The Benefits OF Brett Martin Flat Glass vs Polycarbonate Domes
Sourced From: www.theskylightcompany.co.uk/the-benefits-of-brett-martin-flat-glass-vs-polycarbonate-domes/
Published Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:10:02 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the common problem with skylights

Skylights are a great way to bring natural light into your home but can present some common problems.

Moisture is a serious problem. The skylight can allow moist air to pass through and condense on cold glass and frames, creating mold or rot. Failing seals can also cause air leakage and raise energy bills.

Problems can also be caused by improper installation. A poorly sealed skylight could not provide enough insulation against extreme temperatures. This can lead to a higher heating bill during winter and excessive heat in summer.

Skylights can also have uneven glazing. This is when the glass doesn’t fit into the opening properly or sealant fails to protect the edges. This mismatch can cause water infiltration and other problems with moisture control if left untreated.

Proper ventilation is another issue. This can be due to poor air circulation and dust accumulation.

What is the cost of a standard skylight?

Skylights are expensive because of many factors. Costs will vary depending on the size, shape, and type of glass used. A basic skylight costs between $200 and $600. More intricate designs and more expensive materials will increase the cost.

Vinyl frames are the most popular type of skylight frame. They are used for windows with a width less than 36 inches. These typically cost between $200 to $500. Metal or wood frames may be more suitable for you if your needs are not within this range. These materials are typically priced between $400 and $1300 depending on their size and quality.

Tempered glass is generally less expensive than laminated, but it has certain advantages like lower sound reverberation inside your home. Prices can also vary depending on the tint. Darker tints will block more heat, but require more energy-efficient panels. This makes their cost significantly higher than those with lighter tints that allow more natural light to enter your home.

The last factor you should consider when calculating a skylight’s final cost is its installation. Since labor costs are variable from one location to the next, get a precise quote from local professionals that includes both supplies AND installation fees. All told, it’s not unreasonable to expect a total expense ranging from $900 to over $3,000 for larger sizes and complicated shapes whenever contractor aid is required for installation purposes.

Why You Should Consider Skylights or Roof Windows?

Skylights as well as roof windows make great additions in any home. Whether you’re looking to add natural light and ventilation to a small room or want a panoramic view from any angle, installing skylights or roof windows in your home can provide many advantages.

Skylights can bring in additional sunlight and lower energy costs. By effectively using the sun’s light instead of relying upon artificial lighting, they are ideal for increasing natural light. They also increase air quality by promoting air circulation and providing better insulation throughout the home. Skylights can be used to increase indoor air quality and reduce monthly energy costs.

Roof windows provide you with an expansive view from different angles from the comfort of your home, so if you’re after stunning visuals with plenty of space the roof windows offer, they’re ideal. Roof windows can also provide more light and heat, as they are located closer to the sun. This means you’re less likely to experience window glare and overheating during the summer months due to increased exposure.

Skylights or roof windows have their own unique advantages in terms of usability as well aesthetics. This allows them to be a more modern alternative to traditional windows while still fulfilling similar functions.

What is the difference of a skylight and roof light?

A roof light and skylight are often considered the same installation. There is however a subtle difference between the two. Skylights, on the other hand, are typically recessed into roof structures and roof lights are generally surface-mounted.

Because they can be mounted on ceilings or walls, roof lights offer greater flexibility when it comes to the location of your lighting fixtures. Skylights can be seamlessly integrated into roofs. This minimizes impact on interior aesthetics while ensuring unmatched energy efficiency.

There are many reflective coatings available for roof lights. They can be metal reflectors or low-e glass. This allows light to enter the space without increasing temperature. Skylights can benefit from more advanced coatings, but must be weatherproofed to keep water out.

In most cases, it is important to decide which aspect you would like to concentrate on when you are considering a new lighting system. These options offer distinct advantages over traditional artificial lighting solutions, but they may come at a higher cost depending on the size and complexity of the reflective coating chosen.

What is the best material to use for skylights?

Skylights can add natural light to any space and are made from a variety of materials. The material you choose will depend on your building’s specific requirements, budget considerations, and aesthetic preferences.

When selecting a material, you should consider things like insulation, durability and maintenance. Polycarbonate is one popular option for skylights that provides an excellent balance between affordability, durability, and energy efficiency. This lightweight plastic-based material offers good thermally insulating properties as well as UV protection and resistance to impact damage from hailstones or heavy rain.

Another classic option for skylights is glass. This elegant choice can offer up to 30% more insulation than other options, but it requires extra strength because of its weight. Tempered glass is a good choice when safety concerns make it necessary; this type of glass features increased hardness which makes it more resistant to breakage or shattering should accidents occur.

Vinyl frames are also available, which make attractive thermal covers. These frames can be easily installed and have a light construction, making them excellent for larger installations in harsher weather conditions.

Ultimately there is no single ‘best’ material for skylights: each particular project may call for different solutions depending on location, climate conditions, style preferences, and budget constraints. It is essential to select the right material for your skylight. A careful research will result in better long-term outcomes.

Can you walk on a roof light?

The majority of the time, the answer is no. Roof lights, also called skylights or sun tunnels are used to bring natural light into buildings. They are not meant to be walked on so they should be avoided. You might need to remove them during maintenance or interior changes.

There are steps you should take to ensure safety and minimize damage to roof lights if it is necessary. Spread the load evenly to avoid any concentrated weight on the glazing panels or structure. This means that you should not allow two people to access the same roof light at once. It is important to move slowly and carefully.

To protect those accessing roof lights from the risk of injury if they slip or stumble, anti-slip mats or boards can also be used – these will vastly reduce the potential for accidents when walking on slippery surfaces. A foam-backed carpeting might also help to protect against injury from falling on the glass frames.

It is important to know that most walkable materials should have reinforcements to resist external pressure. If access is regularly made from roof tops, additional protective layers may be necessary.

Also, ensure that non-corrosive fastenings are secured wherever necessary to ensure safety for anyone who is climbing on top of them.

Statistics

  • As a rule of thumb, the skylight size should never be more than 5% of the floor area in rooms with many windows and no more than 15% of the room’s total floor area for spaces with few windows. (energy.gov)
  • Skylights let 30% more natural light in as compared to conventional wall windows. (glassgenius.com)
  • The flat roof skylight can help reduce this noise by up to 50%, making it much easier to relax when inside your home. (roofing4us.com)
  • However, including all the expenses, skylight installations can cost you a good 600$ to 2500$. You can choose the skylight particulars according to your project specifications and budget constraints. (glassgenius.com)
  • Similarly, those who select VELUX solar-powered products will enjoy the added benefit of qualifying for a 26% tax credit on their purchase. (skylightsforless.com)

External Links

energystar.gov

hgtv.com

britannica.com

ocskylights.com

How To

How to Seal and Insulate Your Skylight

Insulate your skylight to ensure a comfortable living environment. Properly sealing and insulate your Skylight will increase heat loss, minimize noise and protect the structure of your home.

If you want to protect your home from any air leakage, make sure that the skylights are sealed. You can reduce the likelihood of air entering your home through gaps between the frame and glass.

Make sure to choose the right weatherproof sealant for your skylights. If properly applied, siliconized acrylic can act both as an adhesive or as a barrier against water damage in the event of exposure to heat and cold. Also, we recommend rubber seals and Neoprene foam that are specifically made for use with structures with curvilinear surfaces, like modern skylights.

Proper insulation is crucial for keeping warm air in the winter and cool air out in summer. When selecting insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) board sheets or spray foam insulation, look for those designed specifically for curving surfaces–just like those found on many modern skylights. Before you install any insulation layers on the outside of the unit frame, clean them thoroughly to remove any grease, dust and dirt.

Use insulation covers and wall screws that are slightly larger than the sealant-to–frame joints to ensure thermal bridges do NOT occur. This way you won’t need to worry about undesirable temperature loss through parts of your framed structure – no matter how small!

Your skylight insulation benefits go far beyond energy efficiency. They can improve your comfort, as well as provide structural integrity protection that lasts longer even when it is exposed to extreme temperature or changes in weather. Sometimes investments can be recovered by energy savings later, so it’s worth looking into now.