Advertorial What to Consider When Choosing a New Skylight There are several types of skylights found on commercial roofs in Canada, from sloped glazing over atriums and along corridors, to unit flat glass skylights and even newer tubular skylights. There are also plastic dome style skylights which will be the focus of this article. Plastic dome skylights are an affordable method for bringing in valuable daylight to the rooms and spaces below them. Many scientific studies highlight the benefits of daylight in employee productivity, retail sales and student learning. The concern is when dome skylights pass their “best before date.” There are many projects where the skylights were neglected and should have been replaced years ago. Often what happens is that the skylights are completely covered in tar, or silicone, or duct tape and even blue tarps that have been on there long enough to be shredded. These discoloured, cracked and possibly leaking skylights can also be a safety hazard on the roof for the occupants underneath the skylight, and should be replaced. When to Replace Most of these skylights are comparatively low cost and are fairly easy to replace. They should be replaced every 10-20 years depending on the product and how well it has performed. Like most things, there are better skylights available today than even a decade ago. In Ontario, there are skylights that have been tested to meet the OSHA for fall and protection. There are more skylights that meet both the Ontario Building Code for flame spread ratings and structural requirements as well as the National Energy Code. There are also more skylights that meet the FM requirements for wind and hail. How do they