Expert Tips to Choose The Perfect Glass for Skylights

Skylights are an excellent way to bring natural light deeper into spaces, transforming interiors into bright, airy, and uplifting environments. However, when selecting the right skylight glass, especially in a tropical Indian climate, it’s essential to consider factors like safety, energy efficiency, and heat management.

Here’s a guide to help you make an informed choice that ensures your skylight is both functional and environmentally friendly.

Safety First: Toughened Laminated Glass – A Non-Negotiable

The first and foremost consideration for skylight installations is safety. All skylights must use toughened laminated glass. Toughened laminated glass is designed to withstand impact and high pressure, making it significantly more resilient.

Even in the rare event of breakage, the laminated interlayer ensures the pieces stay intact, preventing injuries and offering greater security.

For both residential and commercial skylights, this safety measure is non-negotiable. Good news is most types of glass available today can be toughened and laminated.

Eco-Friendly Options: Choosing Low-Carbon Glass

Sustainability is at the forefront of modern architectural design. If you aim to achieve green building certifications or reduce your environmental footprint, consider using low-carbon skylight glass.

This glass uses renewable sources of energy for production and incorporates over two-thirds recycled raw materials, making it a highly sustainable and eco-friendly option. Importantly, low-carbon glass can also be toughened and laminated to make it suitable for usage in skylights, ensuring safety and sustainability go hand-in-hand.

Indian Tropical Context and Types of Glass for Skylights

Once you’ve ensured that the glass meets safety and eco-friendly standards, it’s time to explore different types of glass that offer additional benefits for skylight applications, especially considering the tropical climate. Two popular choices are solar control glass and tinted glass.

1. Solar Control Glass: Minimizing Heat and UV Exposure.
   Solar control glass is a perfect solution for homes and buildings in regions with high sun exposure, like most parts of India. It minimizes the amount of heat and UV rays that enter a building, which is essential for reducing the risk of overheating in tropical climates. By acting as a thermal barrier, this glass helps maintain a cooler interior, lowering the demand for air conditioning and reducing electricity bills.
   
   Solar control glass also blocks harmful UV rays, which can cause fading of furniture, flooring, and other interior elements. By filtering out these rays, you not only protect your belongings but also contribute to a more energy-efficient home, which aligns with India’s growing focus on sustainable architecture.
    
   • Advantages:
     • Reduces heat gain, ensuring cooler indoor temperatures.
     • Blocks UV rays, protecting interior furnishings from fading.
     • Lowers energy consumption, reducing cooling costs.


2. Tinted Glass: Balancing Light and Privacy
   In the tropical Indian climate, the intensity of sunlight can sometimes be overwhelming, making tinted skylight glass a practical and stylish solution. Tinted glass reduces glare and controls the amount of sunlight entering a space, helping to create a softer, more comfortable indoor atmosphere. It’s ideal for bedrooms, living areas, or spaces that face direct sunlight during the day.
   
   SGG Parsol body tinted glass has a coloured appearance (green, bronze, grey, blue) as well as basic solar control properties. Additionally, tinted glass offers a degree of privacy while still allowing natural light to filter through. Available in various shades, this glass type can complement your interior design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
   • Advantages
     • Reduces glare and softens natural light, creating a comfortable ambience.
     • Offers privacy without sacrificing natural light.
     • Adds aesthetic value with customizable tints.

Choosing the right glass for your skylights in a tropical climate like India’s is about balancing safety, sustainability, and practicality. Toughened laminated glass is critical for ensuring safety and durability, while low-carbon skylight glass provides an eco-friendly option that aligns with green building standards. For improved performance, solar control glass helps manage heat and UV exposure, while tinted glass enhances comfort by controlling light and glare.

By selecting the right glass for your skylight, you not only ensure the safety and security of your space but also contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability—particularly important in regions where managing heat is crucial. Make your skylights a highlight of your home or building, bringing in light, comfort, and a sense of environmental responsibility.