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Skylights - Heat and UV Damage

G

GRB

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May 6, 2014
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SoCal
Inland So Cal location so generally I would only care about heat RETENTION for a few weeks a year.

Have a couple 4x8' plastic bubble skylights on the typical industrial almost flat roof. Getting too much damage from UV and too much heat on the second floor of small parts department as the skylight is only about 11' above the floor. Damaging plastic parts bags, labels, boxes, and now certain types of parts.

Any ideas?

Thinking of UV "paint" on outside of plastic bubble and/or

Stretched plastic below on ceiling joists or purpose made frame and/or

Solid plastic on joists and/or

Plastic or cloth below that would reduce light directly below but allow light out the sides or even reflect light up onto reflective foil insulation on ceiling.

Any info appreciated
 
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NUTTSGT

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Northern Central Ohio
A few of the reasons I assume not to have windows in my garage. I think I would consider covering them up completely. If you need some light, put up some LEDs and their usage cost might be less than what is being g damaged by the UV rays. Putting them on a motion switch would save even more dollars in the long run.


I'll admit, natural sunlight is nice but when it starts creating excess heat and UV damage, that can be a problem.
 
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G

GRB

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Git said:
How about shade cloth?

I have ordered some custom sizes from GreenHouse Megastore and have been very pleased. They have different colors and amount of light that they will block. If you have exposed joists, it would be pretty easy to install if you got the grommet options and sized to fit your joists

https://www.greenhousemegastore.com...shade-cloth?returnurl=/coverings/shade-cloth/
Click to expand...
I've thought about that, actually have a 2,000 square feet in my backyard covered with shade cloth, mostly came from GreenHouse Megastore.

Was really trying to keep the light and just stop the damage. Even with LEDs, the power for the lighting upstairs is 240v 30A. Sunlight is free. SoCal electricity is a killer.

NUTTSGT,
The upstairs is on motion detectors but the thing that makes that work well is that there is lots of fill in light from the skylights. Each half row has its own motion detector but there is a delay and sometimes you stand too still for too long. We have learned to do a "dance" on some rows at times. Motion detectors work a lot better on lights mounted much higher than 10'.
 
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L

larry_g

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oregon
In my old house I cut some white stryofoam insulation that just fit the opening to cut down the summer heat/light. I was quite surprised at how much light did come through without the heat. Kind of like a heavily frosted glass.

lg
no neat sig line
 
D

diesel_dan

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Foothills, CA
Krylon Fusion spray paint. You live in an area where heat gain is From the sun (and UV fade). Clean them and spray them and Done. Pick a color that matches the roof and do it from up top and no worries about over-spray...
 
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G

GRB

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SoCal
kbs2244 said:
Krylon makes a clear for just this need.

https://www.krylon.com/products/uvresistant-clear-coating/
Click to expand...
I think this is UV resistant to help keep the coating from being destroyed by UV, called UV Stabilized.

I don't think it stops UV transmission through the product.

It is starting to sound like the best thing may be a coating on the outside of the skylight. Perhaps paint that will just cut down the light a bit or an actual film that pretty much stops UV.

Perhaps I can pay somebody to do that as I'm not climbing a 25' ladder to get on the roof.
 
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strutaeng

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Dec 12, 2011
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Location
Dallas, TX
I got a 46x46 fixed Velux skylight installed in my living area. The first Summer the heat gain was insane!

The next Spring I installed a solar powered shade made by Velux. It has a remote control that we mounted on the wall. It can be opened in any position. We use it all the time varying the shade opening as the day goes on.

It was pretty expensive, and tricky to install, but well worth the price.

There's light filtering and black-out shades. I think I got the blackout one.

Maybe pop one of these skylights on your roof?

https://www.veluxusa.com/products/blinds/light-filtering-blinds

For the inexpensive route, how about window tint?
 
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ericm

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Southern Oregon
The plastic skylights are not resistant to fire or embers. If you want the shop to stand up to a fire consider replacing them entirely.
 
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