Choosing Skylights for Steel Buildings

Steel buildings may have a reputation as being bland and boring, but these days, metal buildings can be among the most stylish and attractive structures on the block, whether that block is a residential neighborhood or an office block downtown. While steel buildings are naturally environmentally friendly and energy efficient, there are ways to make them even more so. One favorite energy efficient addition to many steel buildings is a skylight.

Why Choose Skylights for Steel Buildings?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, skylights can reduce the amount you spend on lighting by as much as 80%. That can bring your overall energy costs down by as much as 33%. If the metal building you’re putting up is an office building or factory, you’ll find that the natural light streaming in through the skylights improves employee job satisfaction, reduces absenteeism and increases productivity.

Choosing the Right Skylights for Steel Buildings

There are a number of considerations you need to think about when choosing skylights for metal buildings. They include the location of the skylight, the orientation, the materials and the ease of installation. Each of these factors will affect the lighting efficiency, heat gain or loss and longevity of your new skylight.

The design of your steel building will help determine the best location for one or more skylights. A correctly located skylight can almost completely eliminate any need for artificial lighting during the day. It can also help improve heat transfer, which can result in further energy savings.

The angle, or orientation, of your skylight will also make a difference in the amount of light and heat it can provide. A southern exposure, for example, will let in more light over the course of the day, which will in turn provide more passive solar heat for your building. If you locate your skylight on a west-facing roof, you could unintentionally drive up the cooling costs for your building during the summer.

Always opt for the best quality materials when choosing skylights for steel buildings. Good materials will improve their efficiency and their sturdiness. Consider paying extra to get electrically operated louvers to protect your windows in harsh weather.

Installing a skylight on your steel building will also add to the resale value of your building in the future, or in the case of steel buildings on residential properties, increase the resale value of your entire property. If you’re looking for a way to add real distinction to a metal building, consider installing one or more skylights.