Roofs and skylights
Glass roofs and skylights
Skylights can introduce natural light into the core of a building
Roof glazing can safely be used throughout a building roof, reducing the need for artificial lighting, providing a natural source of daylight while still addressing solar and thermal insulation needs. By introducing natural daylight through the core of a building, glass roofs create bright, inviting interiors.
Architects and designers need consider relevant international and/or local glazing standards relating to roof glazing. These typically address the various building types, classifying these into different load levels, providing guidance on maximum allowable deflections and stresses for overhead glazing. Therefore, the thickness of the glass and the integrity of the insulating glass unit must be considered. The Guardian Glass team and supplier partners are available to help you navigate these considerations.
The support system for the glass needs to be sufficient in order to prevent distortion under load. Unlike vertical glazing, loads caused by snow, maintenance, water and the ‘dead’ load (the self-weight of the glass as a permanent load) need to be considered. If the glass roof forms part of an accessible area, it must be treated as a glass floor. Laminated safety glass is often recommended for roof glazing, although toughened glass is sufficient for some overhead glazing applications.
