Welcome back, folks! It's time for another round of VELUX Mythbusters!
This time, we're focusing exclusively on our glass, as well as some of the myths that surround skylight glass in general.
Most every VELUX skylight comes with our patented Clean, Quiet & Safe Glass - a glass that lives up to its name and then some! As an installer, you may need to customize your customers' glass a bit further (i.e., to account for snow- or hurricane-prone areas), but rest-assured that whichever VELUX glass you install, it can easily bust the following five common myths.
Myth #1: One Hail Storm & It's Time To Replace The Glass
At VELUX, we've spent over 75 years making sure you're installing the very best products. During that time, we've developed some of the strongest glass formulas available so you can be sure you're putting in a safe, quality product.
Not only does our glass fit building codes required for out-of-reach applications, it also comes with a hail warranty that lasts a period of ten years from the date of purchase. Under this warranty, VELUX Skylights with Clean, Quiet & Safe glass will not crack or break because of hail.
Myth #2: Glass On The Roof Will Let In More Noise
VELUX's Clean, Quiet & Safe glass is dual-pane, laminated glass. When it's opened, it's able to let in fresh air as well as the sounds of outside. But when it's closed, the insulation and lamination work together to block out as much sound as possible. In fact, VELUX's glass reduces unwanted outside noise by up to 25% less than a standard double pane glass and up to 50% less than a plastic skylight.
Myth #3: Glass On The Roof Will Let In More Heat
There's no denying that bringing more sunlight into the home can bring more heat with it. VELUX has a few options to help you counter that. One option is to use our white laminated glass, which diffuses the light, resulting in light and heat that is less concentrated and more evenly distributed throughout the space below.
Another option is to utilize the blinds available in the VELUX Blind Shop, which also features solar options and VELUX Active, a new solution that uses skylights to help regulate indoor air quality and temperature.
Myth #4: Skylight Glass Can't Withstand A Blanket Of Snow
For areas that experience prolonged cold periods with heavy snowfall, VELUX has developed a special type of glass called Snowload. Snowload glass is reinforced so that the extra weight of snow won't cause the glass to weaken. The main thing you'll want to watch out for with skylights in snowy areas is what happens when the snow melts.
The window is often the first place snow melts, so when temperatures rise and the snow starts to melt, it's necessary to take extra steps to prevent leaks. Keeping with our No Leak Promise, VELUX has accounted for this. VELUX Skylights' flashing and weeping systems work to direct even snow-loads of water down the roof and into the surrounding gutters.
Myth #5: If The Glass Breaks, There's A Dangerous Mess To Clean Up
In every state, building laws and regulations have been written to ensure out-of-reach applications, like skylights, are installed in a way that prevents as much injury as possible. That's why VELUX glass is created and installed the way it is.
Not only is VELUX glass dual-paned, it's also tempered, similar to car windshields. While it's incredibly unlikely that the top pane in one of our skylights will break, it is possible, and so we've taken precautions to ensure clean-up is as safe as possible.
During the tempering process, the chemical makeup of the glass changes and a new molecular structure is created. So, if the glass breaks, it cracks along the edges of that new molecular structure. The laminate layer and bottom pane of glass will then catch the pieces of the top pane so the homeowner isn't left with a pile of broken glass where a skylight once was.
