Skylight Glossary

1. Skylight: A window installed in a roof or ceiling to allow natural light to enter a space.

2. Glazing: The transparent material, typically glass or plastic, used in the construction of skylights.

3. Frame: The supportive structure that holds the glazing in place.

4. Curb-Mounted Skylight: A skylight mounted on a raised frame (curb) built above the roofline.

5. Deck-Mounted Skylight: A skylight installed directly on the roof deck, flush with the roofing material.

6. Fixed Skylight: A non-operable skylight that does not open for ventilation.

7. Ventilated Skylight: A skylight that can be opened to allow air circulation.

8. Tubular Skylight: A small, tube-shaped skylight designed to channel light through a reflective tube from the roof to the interior.

9. Flashing: Materials used to seal the skylight to the roof, preventing water leakage.

10. Low-E Coating: A thin, transparent coating applied to glazing to reduce heat transfer.

11. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): Measures how well a skylight blocks heat from the sun. Lower values indicate less heat transmission.

12. U-Factor: Indicates the rate of heat loss through the skylight. Lower values signify better insulation.

13. Laminated Glass: Glass made of two or more layers with an interlayer, used for safety and durability.

14. Tempered Glass: Heat-treated glass that breaks into small, safe fragments, often used in skylights for safety.

15. Argon Gas Fill: An inert gas used between glazing layers to improve thermal performance.

16. Light Shaft: The passage through which light travels from the skylight to the interior space.

17. Diffuser: A panel, often placed at the end of a tubular skylight or light shaft, that evenly distributes light.

18. Roof Pitch: The slope or angle of the roof, important for skylight installation.

19. Energy Star Rating: A label indicating the energy efficiency of a skylight, based on criteria set by the EPA.

20. Solar Blinds: Blinds that can be integrated into skylights, often with solar-powered controls, for managing light and heat entry.

21. Impact-Resistant Glass: Glass designed to withstand impact from debris, typically used in areas prone to severe weather.

22. Manual Venting Skylight: A ventilated skylight that requires manual operation to open and close.

23. Electric Venting Skylight: A skylight equipped with an electric motor for remote opening and closing.

24. Self-Cleaning Glass: Glass coated with a material that reacts with sunlight to break down dirt, which is then washed away by rain.

25. Triple Glazing: A skylight with three layers of glass for enhanced thermal and acoustic insulation.

26. Egress Skylight: A skylight designed to open wide enough to allow for emergency exits, often found in attic or loft conversions.

27. Roof Window: Similar to a skylight, but more accessible and operable, often used in attic spaces.

28. Solar Reflective Coating: A coating applied to skylight glazing to reflect solar radiation, reducing heat gain.

29. Condensation Channel: A feature in skylights designed to collect and drain away any condensation that forms.

30. Acrylic Dome: A type of skylight glazing, shaped in a dome, made from durable acrylic material.

31. Polycarbonate: A strong, lightweight plastic used as an alternative to glass in skylights.

32. Tinted Glazing: Skylight glass treated with a tint to reduce glare and heat transmission.

33. Insulated Glazing Unit (IGU): A skylight glazing system with multiple glass panes separated by gas or air for insulation.

34. Skylight Shade: A covering, either internal or external, used to control light and heat entering through a skylight.

35. Integrated Photovoltaic Panels: Solar panels integrated into the skylight structure, generating renewable energy.

36. Passive Ventilation: A design feature in some skylights that allows for natural air circulation without mechanical assistance.

37. Gasket: A sealing component used to prevent leaks between the skylight frame and glazing.

38. R-Value: A measure of thermal resistance, indicating the insulating effectiveness of a skylight.

39. Visible Transmittance (VT): A measure of how much visible light passes through a skylight.

40. Operable Skylight: A skylight that can be opened, either manually or automatically, for ventilation.

41. Rain Sensor: A feature in some electric venting skylights that automatically closes the skylight when it detects rain.

42. Blind Control System: A system, often remote-controlled, for operating the blinds or shades of a skylight.

43. Sash: The movable part of the skylight that holds the glass.

44. Mullion: A structural element that divides adjacent window units in a series of skylights.

45. Solar Control Film: A film applied to skylight glass to reduce solar heat gain and UV radiation.

46. Thermal Break: A feature in skylight frames that reduces heat transfer.

47. Clerestory Window: A high, vertically positioned window, often functioning like a skylight, allowing light into deep interiors.

48. Direct Glazed: A skylight design where the glass is mounted directly to the frame without a separate sash.

49. Batten: A strip used to secure a skylight or its components in place, particularly in curb-mounted installations.

50. Vent Flap: A small, adjustable opening in some skylights designed for continuous, passive ventilation.