| Skylights are a welcome addition in almost any home | | | | U-factor: Skylights in Florida must preferably have |
| in the US. But, when we talk about skylights in | | | | U-factor below 0.75 (less than 0.65 is ideal). |
| Florida, there are some points to consider. You see, in | | | | Solar Heat gain coefficient: In Florida, a heat gain |
| Florida, skylights have a difficult job to do: they must | | | | coefficient of 0.40 or less is preferred. This is a |
| allow for natural daylighting minus the heat. That is, | | | | measure of how efficient the material is in blocking |
| the sun's light must penetrate but the skylight must | | | | the heat of the sun's rays. Greater percentages |
| somehow keep the heat outside. Skylights must also | | | | mean that more amounts of sunlight pass through |
| block the humid air from seeping in. In the same way, | | | | the skylight. |
| warmth should not leak out of the house in winter | | | | Visible Transmittance: Higher values of Visible |
| even though plenty of natural light is let in. Most | | | | Transmittance simply mean that more amount of |
| important of all, skylights in Florida must be | | | | light passes through. In sunshine Florida, skylights |
| completely hurricane resistant so it can withstand the | | | | need to control the amount of light coming in. Glass |
| forces of natural terrors like Hurricane Andrew. | | | | skylights with high VT but low heat gain coefficient |
| In Florida, the warm season is long and skylights can | | | | are ideal as this allows light permeation without heat |
| lead to excess solar heat gain. Sp glass skylights in | | | | gain. Tinted coatings are recommended to help |
| Florida may look good and provide a lot of light, but | | | | regulate the amount of light. |
| they are also the source of energy loss. | | | | Condensation Resistance: A high condensation |
| Energy efficiency and impact resistance are a must in | | | | resistance rating means that the product is superior in |
| skylights for the Florida home. | | | | preventing the formation of condensation. |
| To help customers identify energy efficient skylights, | | | | Skylights in homes in Florida must have the ENERGY |
| the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) gives | | | | STAR label for the southern climate. They must also |
| performance labels to windows and skylights. To | | | | be shaded well to prevent excessive heat gain. |
| arrive at this rating, the glass, window or door is | | | | Shafts that hold the skylights must also stick to the |
| tested by a third party and measurements are taken | | | | Florida Building Code. |
| to denote how well the glass is able to retain warmth | | | | Plastic skylights must be used sparingly in a place like |
| and coolness, resist condensation and withstand | | | | Florida because the heat and the sun's rays will soon |
| natural forces. Customers are also able to get | | | | discolor the plastic. |
| additional information like description of the product, | | | | Since the weather is hot and sunny most of the |
| name of manufacturer etc. The greatest advantage | | | | time, homeowners should ideally choose small |
| of such a label is that it allows customers to compare | | | | skylights for their Florida home. For lasting |
| different kinds of skylights and pick up one that is | | | | performance, skylights must be installed properly and |
| most suitable. | | | | maintained regularly. |
| Helpful information to look for in the NFRC label: | | | | |