Tag: skylights

What You Need to Know Before Installing Skylights

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Installing skylights is a great way to open up a commercial building and provide natural light. While they can add beauty and visual interest, there are several important things to consider before getting any kind of roof penetration. Before you add skylights to an existing commercial building or plan on integrating skylights into the design of a new building, you’ll need to know what installation entails. In this article, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about commercial skylight installation to help you decide if skylights are right for your building.

Do roofers install skylights?

Only a licensed professional can install a standard skylight on a commercial building. If you’re considering adding a skylight, your commercial roofing partner should be your first phone call. A roofing professional can answer questions you may have about skylight framing and framing detail. Sometimes a structural engineer may need to be involved in the design phase. Typically, a roofing contractor can install the skylight and can be invaluable in properly flashing it into the roofing system.

What are the benefits of a skylight?

Installing skylights gives your building more natural lighting, reducing the need for electric lights indoors. Skylights can also add interesting architectural flair to what might otherwise be an unexciting interior. Additionally, many eco-conscious, LEED-certified, or other green buildings use skylights to help provide passive solar heating and reduce electricity needs.

What common problems occur with skylights?

Any rooftop penetration can be a potential leak source and maintenance item. Skylights may crack, especially due to storm damage, and replacing the dome may be necessary. The curb flashing on a skylight may also become loose over time, resulting in a leak. Like all windows, skylights can allow heat to escape or enter into a building. This can be a common issue, especially with poorly installed skylights. As a result, it’s important to make sure that your skylights are well-insulated. Roofers can also install remote skylight shades. On hot days, a building’s ambient temperature can be maintained through the use of these shades.

Skylights also have unique maintenance considerations. Because skylight installation requires penetrating the roof membrane, a roofer must make sure it is well sealed so that moisture does not intrude into the rest of the roof.

How long does skylight installation take, and do I need a permit?

Most municipalities require a permit for skylight installation, especially for large commercial buildings. Your roofer will be able to tell you if a permit is required for your project. Installing skylights requires good weather in the forecast since the interior of the building will be exposed to the elements during installation. The length of time needed for installation varies depending on the size and number of skylights. You can estimate one half-day or full-day per skylight if they are being added to an existing building. In many cases, buildings can remain open and functional while a skylight is being installed.

If you’re ready to learn more about skylight installation, our team at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal is ready to answer your questions. Our roofing experts have experience installing skylights and all roof penetrations. Contact us today to get started.

What Every General Contractor Should Know About Rooftop Penetrations

Posted on by John Maxwell

No one wants a hole in their building’s roof, but any general contractor knows that sometimes rooftop penetrations are necessary for the functioning of a commercial building. Vent pipes, skylights, HVAC blocks and metal pipes are all common on commercial roofs, and experienced roofing contractors build these out regularly on construction projects.

While general contractors and construction managers need a basic understanding of roof penetrations, it’s always a plus to involve a professional roofer in the process. Here are the things every general contractor should know about rooftop penetrations in order to best inform the process.

What Is a Rooftop Penetration?

A roof penetration is anything that requires a break in the roofing membrane and roof deck. Penetrations are common on flat roofs because they often require pipe penetrations, drainage, and ventilation. Almost every commercial roof will require some type of penetration for the building to function properly. Penetrations are one of the most complex elements of commercial roofing construction, and these areas are the most vulnerable parts of a completed roof.

How Roof Penetrations Work

Roofers use a mix of metal and sealing tools to protect penetrations and keep them watertight. These include flashing and seals, pipe flashing, and roof jacks. Some older commercial roofs may also have pitch pans, which are metal boxes that surround the penetration and are filled with grout. Most commercial roofing companies no longer build new pitch pans because they leak easily. 

Finding the Right Roofing Contractor for Penetrations

A reputable commercial roofing company should be familiar with roofing penetrations. Whether a building needs a vent roof or a flashing roof, the roofing company should be able to design, build, and maintain the penetrations. General contractors should limit their search to roofing contractors that focus on commercial buildings. A lot can go wrong with a roof penetration, so finding a reputable company with experience is paramount. 

Maintaining a Roof Penetration

General contractors should be aware that a roof with penetrations will require more regular maintenance than one without. Flashing, sealant, and other elements of penetrations should be monitored in order to keep the roof waterproof. Even well-built roofing penetrations are vulnerable parts of a completed commercial roof. Be sure to develop a plan with your commercial roofer for how to protect roofing penetrations and keep personnel away from them.

If you’re ready to get started on a new roof project, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today! Our team is experienced and ready to help.

Skylight Replacement Tips for Commercial Properties

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Skylights offer unique benefits for commercial buildings. They bring in natural light and improve conditions for people who spend their days inside. But, skylights are complicated roof penetrations that require careful installation and maintenance. Older skylights and skylights that were not properly installed can cause roof damage and may need to be replaced.

When to Replace Skylights

 Acrylic skylights last between 7 to 10 years, while higher-end skylights will last much longer with regular inspections. Still, bad weather or improper installation could mean that your skylights need to be replaced much sooner. Here are a few signs that you may need new skylights:

  • Leaks—Check skylights for discoloration, bubbling, or peeling near the skylight. This can indicate that the skylight seals are broken.
  • Cracks—If there are visible cracks or chips in a skylight, it means that it is definitely time for a replacement. Skylight cracks can cause leaks and drafts in a building.
  • Discoloration—Old and low-quality skylights will degrade over time, changing the glass color to yellow or brown. Typically, this is caused by corrosion in the sealant.

What to Look for in a New Skylight

Skylights have come a long way over the years and can now last longer and do more for commercial buildings. Here a few new things to look for in a new skylight:

  • Condensation Channels—High-quality skylights will have condensation channels built in. These help direct water away from the frame of the skylight to help prevent leaks.
  • Impact Modified Acrylic—This stronger material has replaced traditional acrylic as the industry-standard for skylights.
  • Polycarbonate—This material is found in high-end skylights. It is stronger and more UV-resistant than acrylic.
  • Photovoltaic Film—Some skylights now incorporate photovoltaic film that allows building managers to control the amount of light coming into the building.

Choosing a Roofing Company for Skylight Replacement

Regardless of what features you choose for your skylight, it’s critical to use a professional roofing company for the replacement. Only quality roofers know the proper way to seal skylights and prevent leaks.

Maxwell Roofing’s roofers are specially trained to remove and replace skylights. We have an in-house fabrication department to make any custom materials that you may need to properly install skylights, and our industry-leading maintenance program will ensure that they will last. To learn more about Maxwell’s skylight replacement services, contact us today.