Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial skylights; folding, sliding, and stacking walls, doors, windows, and screens; sunrooms; greenhouses; garden windows; and conservatories; introduces walkable skylight options.
Although Solar has been offering walkable skylights for several years, the recent popularity surge has led to upgraded product offerings. Larger overall units are now available to fulfill nearly any desired needs. Individual glass units up to four feet by four feet are available. Several glass units, pending engineering approval, can be incorporated into one frame to create larger walkable spaces. Solar's in-house product specialists and engineers are available to aid customers throughout the entire process.
Walkable skylights, or "walk-on skylights," are ideal for rooftop or decking applications. Walkable skylights, just as they sound, allow customers to walk on the glass like a deck and allow for the transmission of natural light, increasing the space's interior function. Each walkable skylight is engineered to meet the end user's requirements and provide a unique architectural appeal. Per code, walkable skylights are engineered with a point load of 300 lbs and a uniform load of 400 PSF, but additional performance requirements can be met with advance notice.
Most of Solar Innovations, Inc.'s installed walkable skylight solutions have been incorporated when urban customers need access to a flat building roof but must maintain natural daylight.
As with each of Solar's products, all walkable skylights are custom designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. at our Pine Grove, Pennsylvania facility. Each structure is constructed from a thermally enhanced, durable aluminum frame that will not rot, rust, warp, or require constant refinishing like traditional wood framing. Solar offers nine stocked frame finish colors (six painted, mill aluminum, and two anodized options). Solar Innovations, Inc. can custom-match nearly any rainbow color in liquid paint or powder coating.
Slip-resistant glazing is required for walkable skylights due to moisture's potential to gather on the glass, causing a slipping hazard. Multiple non-slip coatings are available. Additionally, walkable skylight systems can also use custom glazing options like acid etches, frit glass, custom frosts, LowE glazing options, and color tints for improved glass performance and aesthetic appeal. LowE tints increase thermal performance, which can help to stabilize the interior environment. Depending upon the glass selected and the application, you may be able to reduce harsh glares while maintaining good light transmittance when compared to untreated glass. Depending on the application, shade options are also available for walkable skylight systems.
