When choosing a skylight made from laminated glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate, you can consider things like:
- Clarity:
- Laminated glass is clearer than polycarbonate, but polycarbonate can be formed into various shapes. Acrylic is more transparent than polycarbonate and has a high gloss finish.
- Durability:
- Polycarbonate is more impact resistant than acrylic, but acrylic is easier to crack. Laminated glass can block UV rays, which may be helpful if your skylight lets a lot of sun in.
- Cost:
- Acrylic is generally less expensive than polycarbonate. Laminated glass is more expensive than polycarbonate.
- Weight:
- Polycarbonate is lighter than laminated glass.
- Fabrication:
- Polycarbonate can be cut and formed on-site, which can reduce cutting errors and waste. Acrylic can be heated and molded into shape.
Here’s some more information about each material:
- Laminated glassCan block UV rays, which may be helpful if your skylight lets a lot of sun in. It can also be ideal if you live in a noisy neighborhood.
- AcrylicCan be heated and molded into shape, then heated again while retaining its quality appearance. It’s also about 8 times stronger than plate glass. However, acrylic is more apt to chip or even crack when subjected to strong impacts.
- PolycarbonateCan be formed into a dome or pyramid shape, which allows rain water and melting snow to naturally drain away. It’s about 200 times stronger than plate glass. However, polycarbonate is prone to scratching and losing its clarity.
