Tom Gaudette, VELUX, Senior Sales Representative
The Florida Building Code (FBC) 2014 5th Edition took effect June 30, 2015 and is of critical importance to roofers, contractors, inspectors and other tradespeople because it affects every aspect of roofing and residential construction.
Due to limited space, we will focus primarily on the residential code as it relates to skylights. The latest code requirements are game changers, especially when it comes to energy efficiency requirements for skylights. Skylights are now required to have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of .30 or lower. Utilizing the more energy efficient skylights that meet this code requirement should result in savings on the homeowner’s utility bill.
Awareness and understanding of key components of the code are an absolute necessity for anyone choosing, specifying or installing skylights in Florida.
There are actually two types of code references of particular importance here – one dealing with skylight SHGC requirements for energy efficiency and another dealing with glazing requirements to meet safety and liability requirements. These points are covered in different areas of the residential code but they are closely related and compliance with both, for the most part, can be achieved by using laminated or impact LoE3 glass with a .30 SHGC or lower.
The LoE technology enables glass to achieve the .30 SHGC required and the inside laminated glass pane meets a critical code specified for safety for any glass skylight where any portion of the skylight is 12 feet or higher in residences or the impact glass for windborne debris zones.
In addition to code, there are other key elements to consider when selecting skylights for your project. Later, we will offer information on skylight selection and installation methods that can add to your bottom line while saving your customers money, both short- and long-term. But first, code compliance must-knows.
In Florida, two components of the code are particularly relevant to this discussion.
The first consideration deals with the FBC 2014 5th Edition. This code relates directly to the energy efficiency ratings of skylights and states that Skylights that do not meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines, with a SHGC of .30 or lower, will not meet the FBC 2014 5th Edition code.
There are many pertinent components to the FBC 2014 5th Edition that focus on key components of Chapter 4, Residential Energy Efficiency, with the following excerpts and observations.
Table R402.1.1 of FBC 2014 5th Edition residential code states the Insulation and Fenestration requirements by Component, .25 is the SHGC required for fenestration components in Climate Zone 1, 2, and 3. However, guidelines regarding skylights are specifically addressed in the Exemption Notes below the Table. Exception Note B. “Skylights may be excluded from the glazed fenestration SHGC requirements in Climate Zone 1 through 3 where the SHGC for such skylight does not exceed .30.” In other words, all skylights must have a .30 SHGC or less.
Section R402.3.6 deals with replacement fenestration. It states that where some or all of the fenestration is replaced, it must meet the applicable requirements for SHGC and U-factor in Table R402.1.1 and therefore the exception for skylights noted in item “b” requiring skylights to have a SHGC or .30 or lower is applied.
The second consideration, which concerns product selection based on safety, is addressed in Chapter 3. Section R308.6.2 Permitted Materials states that the following types of glass skylights may be used: “Laminated glass with a minimum 0.015 inch polyvinyl butyl interlayer for glass panes 16 sq. ft. or less in area located such that the highest point of the glass is not more than 12 feet above a walking surface or other accessible area; for higher or larger sizes, the minimum interlayer thickness shall be 0.30 inch.” While other
glass materials are acceptable, the stumbling block with these is the requirement of installing a safety screen if any portion of the skylight is greater than 12 feet from the floor, which the majority of out-of-reach skylight installations are. And the stumbling block with rigid plastics is the lack of achieving the .30 SHGC required in Chapter 4 of the Code.
We cannot overemphasize the necessity of reviewing the references to windborne debris areas in the state since that part of the code addresses whether or not skylights must be impact rated; requiring an interior glass thicker than .30 inch.
With a clearer understanding of what the code now requires of skylights, we’ll cover some of the types of skylights, flashing kits, and related products that make modern, ENERGY STAR®-qualified skylights beneficial to homeowners and profitable for roofers.
Glass skylights are available as fixed units, as manual fresh air units (operated by control rods), as electric fresh air hardwired units (operated by remote control) or as the latest no leak solar powered fresh air skylights (also operated by touchpad programmable remote control).
ENERGY STAR-qualified skylights are available with various types of glazing choices incorporating argon gas-filled double-pane construction for energy efficiency and sound reduction. Glazing and construction options are available for a variety of weather or geographic considerations including impact resistant models for high wind areas. Selection of an Energy Star-qualified product is an easy method to ensure you are meeting the .30 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient requirement.
As pointed out earlier, most building codes require laminated glass for out-of-reach applications. “Clean, Quiet & Safe” meets this requirement while also reducing outside noise by up to 50 percent when compared to a plastic skylight. The glass is also coated to keep the skylight cleaner longer – a benefit homeowners appreciate and are usually willing to pay for.
There are three types of traditional skylights, deck mount, curb mount and self-flashed.
Deck mount skylights are wood framed skylights that fasten directly to the roof deck and provide an airtight seal. Deck mount skylights utilize a peel and stick underlayment and an engineered flashing kit to integrate the skylight into the roof system. They have a low profile, making them ideal to better blend in with the roofline.
Curb mount skylights are installed on a site built curb that is anchored to the roof deck and truss. The curb can be flashed into the roof system with either an engineered flashing system provided by the manufacturer or a field fabricated flashing.
Pan flashed skylights, sometimes referred to as self-flashed skylights, utilize a large metal flange for flashing. While curb mount and deck mount skylights are designed to be installed with the more reliable dry method of mechanical flashing, the pan flashed skylight must be placed into a bed of sealant or mastic laid around the opening to ensure water tightness.
Flashing kits for shingles, tile and metal roofs are available from most skylight manufacturers. Engineered flashing systems are designed to integrate a skylight into the roof system eliminating the need to field fabricate flashings or mastics and sealants. Engineered flashing systems offer three layers of water protection and carry long-term installation and no leak warranties.
Tubular skylights are very useful for bringing in natural light and can provide light 24/7 with optional light kits. These units are usually less expensive to add during a reroof than traditional skylights and can be installed within a matter of hours.
They can be used to light large spaces but many are used in smaller areas including hallways, closets, interior baths, and in laundry rooms. The units consist, basically, of a rooftop dome or low-profile flat glass, a highly reflective tube running from the roof to the ceiling of the area to be illuminated, and a ceiling diffuser. Different tube length runs are possible and, while rigid tubing is usually used, highly reflective flexible tubing is also available for easier installation around obstacles such as HVAC equipment in the attic.
There are many options for homeowners to choose from when selecting skylights and skylight accessories. These options, especially solar powered blinds, offer convenience and value to the homeowner while providing upselling profit opportunities for contractors. Modern, ENERGY STAR-qualified traditional skylights are available as fixed or venting units. Venting, or fresh air skylights, are available as manual, electric or solar powered models and are one of the best ways to release stale hot air from the home, allowing the space to be filled by fresh air. People love daylight but they like to control it, especially if the skylight is in the TV room – just ask
them! Manual and solar powered designer blinds in colors and patterns are also available that compliment décor and boost energy efficiency by as much as 45 percent while giving the homeowner complete control of the light entering a space. Solar powered skylights and blinds are operated by programmable touchpad remote control and the cost of the products, along with installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit for the homeowner.
In closing, the key point to be emphasized is that skylights should be chosen based on meeting code and on admitting an abundance of natural light. Therefore, a skylight with a high visible light transmittance (VT) rating will typically be the best choice.
For more information for your customers and for your own use, www.whyskylights.com details selecting skylights on a room-by-room basis. Three informational videos for roofers are available at www.skylightoffers.com/reroofing. If additional detail is needed on the Florida code, visit codes.iccsafe.org/Florida.html.
Tom Gaudette is a senior sales representative with VELUX covering the southern Florida market. He celebrates his 10-year
anniversary with VELUX this year and has over 15 years of experience in the roofing and construction industries. He strives to provide solutions and timely customer service to his entire customer base. When he isn’t on rooftops providing daylighting solutions, he enjoys spending time with his three children, running, kayaking and other outdoor activities. Tom can be reached at 813-245-1621 or tom.gaudette@velux.com.
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