Residential & Commercial Skylights
What is the difference between acrylic and Plexiglas?
There is no difference. Plexiglas is just a brand name for acrylic plastic.
Why are acrylic domes so popular as skylights?
Acrylic dome skylights are lightweight, stronger and easier to install. They are particularly well-suited to flat roof installations since they shed water so well and gather light from many angles. Their light weight makes them easy to get up on the roof. As well, the dome shape can allow for increased head room.
Why must I have a shape with acrylic units and not flat acrylic?
Forming acrylic into a dome shape dramatically increases the strength of the flat sheet of plastic and helps to eliminate expansion and contraction, which can be detrimental the skylight performance over time.
What are my options for flat skylights?
Dayliter manufactures a flatlite, which is slightly raised then formed flat, a very popular choice for acrylic skylights. Another option is glass skylights, which are available in Cardinal LoE-366 tempered or laminated safety glass.
What are the color choices in acrylic dome (or other shaped) skylights?
Clear, bronze, and white translucent are the three standard color choices for acrylic skylights.
What kind of safety glass should I use?
Most glass skylights will be composed of tempered safety glass or laminated safety glass (optional). We also manufacture skylights of clear or obscure glass. Your local building codes will indicate what type of safety glass is required.
What is the difference between tempered glass and laminated glass?
Tempered glass is heat-strengthened glass like the glass in your shower doors and patio doors. It is very strong, but, if it breaks, it explodes into thousands of tiny pieces. The side windows of most cars are tempered. Laminated glass is glass with a plastic interlayer, which is designed to hold in place when it breaks. The front windshield of your car is laminated. In many Canadian and US areas, building codes call for laminated glass as the interior layer of glass on glass skylight. Laminated glass has the extra advantage in that it is a very effective block of ultraviolet light, which is the leading cause of fading.
What is "LoE-366" glass?
When the temperature soars, ordinary window glass just can't handle the heat. And tinted glass spoils the view. Cardinal LoE-366, however, has been specially formulated to reject the sun's heat without affecting the view. It lets more light in and keeps more heat out. So your home stays cool and comfortable. LoE-366 coating provides the ultimate in performance and clarity of all our LoE products. LoE-366 provides exceptional fading protection as well. It blocks 95% of the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays (a leading cause of fading), so it will help your furniture, carpets, curtains and wall coverings stay beautiful for years to come.
Can my skylights open for ventilation?
Yes. Our VCM opening skylights (standard sizes up to a 5 x 5 and custom glass sizes) can be made to open for ventilation either manually with a hand crank or pole operation or electrically with a wall switch and remote control.
Please note, for any skylights with an outside cap >68" (model number's last two digits are greater than or equal to 68) a reinforcement frame is required in order to achieve the strength and support of smaller sized units. Please note, if you choose to purchase a skylight >68" without a reinforcing frame we CANNOT provide you with our Dayliter warranty.
I have a Dayliter Skylight and would like to put some kind of blind or screen in. Do you sell these?
We do manufacture and sell screens for your skylight, however, the BEST suggestion for this is an after market product a retractable screen or shade that is not always left closed. If you do install something like this, you should NOT leave the screen in year round or blind closed consistently if the skylight is not an opening skylight. Blinds and screens will hold any heat that come in through the skylight up against the acrylic or glass and it can break/crack them (in the case of glass, ruin the seal between the dual glazing's). If a blind is installed, it should be mounted at least 10" away from the inner surface of the skylight, and should be a space to allow for air flow between the skylight and the interior space. In the case of a screen in an opening skylight, open the skylight approximately 1/4" (one quarter inch) and that will allow for some kind of airflow between the skylight and the screen. You can also remove the screen and only have it installed during high temperature seasons when you would normally have the skylight open for ventilation.
** Please note we do NOT warranty problems caused by after-market products that are installed into our skylights.
What do I do with the old skylights when I replace them?
Dayliter is proud to be a GREEN company - we actively recycle everything we can from our business. We will gladly take your old skylights (glass or acrylic) and recycle them so that they don't end up in a landfill.
What are curb-mounted skylights?
Curb-mounted skylights are the most common of all skylights. A curb is simply a wood frame that is built from 2x4's (or 2'x6's) on edge to create a "curb" so that it is higher than the roof and sealed to become part of the roof. The skylight is then mounted over the curb and attached from the inside. ** Remember, you will need a flashing kit to flash around the curb to seal it. Dayliter does sell flashing kits should you require it.
Are there any other shapes available in acrylic domes?
Yes. We manufacture "Pyramid", "Flattop Pyramid", "Flatlite", "Ridgelite" shapes. See our SHAPES page.
Can I put a screen on after I have installed my skylight?
It is possible but we do not recommend it. The best time to install a screen in your opening skylight is during installation of the unit itself. If you do wish to install the screen after the skylight has already been installed you may need to trim the drywall around the well.
What is Dayliter's warranty policy?
Dayliter Skylights reserves the right to alter the details or design of its products without notice. We guarantee all products (except roof doors which is two (2) years) to be free from defects in workmanship and material for a time period of ten (10) years from date of shipping. Sealed glass units are warranted from the manufacturer for the integrity of the seal (NOT covered is any breakage to glass) from the date of sale to the original buyer. Our liability is limited solely to the replacement of goods. Not complying with this guarantee, or at our choice, a credit of the paid purchase price to the original buyer. For all warranty requests, the customer is responsible for the shipping costs to return the item to Dayliter Skylights head office in Langley, BC. Customer MUST have an original invoice for proof of purchase. For more information and details please read our warranty pages in our library.
What is Dayliter's sales / return policy?
Based on prior approval, returned goods are subject to a 20% re-stocking charge. Products must not be damaged and judged by Dayliter to be in resalable condition. Goods must be returned within 30 days of the shipping date and customer MUST have an invoice for proof of purchase. All custom sized products and models are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is in progress. Dayliter will not accept returned merchandise freight collect. Any product(s) to be returned must have an R.G.A. (Returning goods authorization) number and is subject to inspection upon arrival at our facilities before any credit will be issued.
I am working on a big project that requires custom skylight design and construction. Does Dayliter do these types of job?
Dayliter Skylights manufactures standard skylights for residential and commercial application. However Dayliter's parent company, Spectrum Skyworks, is as the name suggests, a company specifically dedicated to custom skylight design and construction.
The Spectrum team is happy to discuss your ideas, liaise with your architect or contractor and ensure that you have everything you need to make the right custom skylight choice. For more information on Spectrum Skyworks you can visit www.spectrumskyworks.com or call 604-944-2477.
Is there something else you might want to know? Please contact us so we may help!
