Retail buildings can seem dark and dingy on the inside. Even with bright lighting, the atmosphere can seem a little bleak. The easy way to remedy this is by letting in some natural light with a skylight. But how do you know if this is the right decision for your building? Allowing natural light to come inside opens up space and lightens the mood, so products look better and customers want to stay longer. Before you decide to get a skylight for your retail building, there are a few things you should know.
Should Your Retail Store Have A Skylight?
Benefits of Retail Store Skylights
A skyline will add more natural light. The inside will seem more spacious and bright. This makes customers feel better, which means they stay longer and spend more money. In the long run, the skylight can lead to increased sales and profits. Your staff will also be happier with the natural lighting, leading to increased productivity. You also get to save money as energy consumption is reduced. Natural lighting means there is less need for artificial lighting, so you can cut back on how much you spend on utility bills.
Five Things to Consider Before Installing Commercial Skylights
- Energy Efficiency: Natural lighting through a skylight should reduce energy consumption, but if placed incorrectly, it can have the opposite effect. A skylight can increase energy consumption when not placed correctly or when the wrong materials are used. Before you install a skylight, check the energy efficiency rating of the window. Options such as tinted glass are ideal for reducing heat intake and saving energy.
- Sun Location: You need to be aware of the sun’s travel path before installing a skylight. Having a window in the path of the midday sun can increase heat in the building which can be uncomfortable and result in increased energy use for air conditioning. You also want to make sure your skylight isn’t blocked by obstacles so you can get as much sunlight as possible. You also need to consider where the sunlight will fall during the day so as not to potentially rin certain products.
- Ventilation: If your building has high ceilings with adequate air conditioning, skylights are a good fit. If you need to ventilate using your skylight, then be sure to consider how you will access it in order to do this.
Top Commercial Skylight Questions
- Is There A Lot Of Maintenance? – Most skylights are flat and this means leaves and debris can easily build up. This makes maintenance very important and it needs to be done often. If there is limited access to the roof, then you may want to consider a domed skylight. Debris falls away from it so there will be less maintenance for you.
- Is There Suitable Roof Drainage? – Skylights are a common area for roof leaks because the seals and flashing wear away with time. If drainage is at optimal levels, this can be avoided. Flat roofing in commercial buildings increases the chance of water pooling, so this increases the risk of leaks. With proper inspection and maintenance, you can identify these problems before damage is done.
Conclusion
Installing commercial skylights takes a lot of planning and there are many things to consider. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us today. There are advantages to having a skylight for your retail building and we are here to help you discover the benefits and meet your needs.
