Skylight glass options affect more than how a skylight looks. The glass controls how much daylight enters the room. It also influences glare and heat gain. SIG Skylights units use tempered, double-pane insulated glass. Within that standard, you can choose from several tints, coatings, and specialty glass types. This guide compares the main skylight glass options and explains when each one makes sense.
Why Skylight Glass Options Matter
A skylight faces the sky, so it can receive more direct sun than a typical window. Sunlight from above also changes through the day and the seasons. As a result, the glass that suits one room may not suit another. For example, a shaded hallway and a sunny kitchen have different needs.
Four factors usually drive the choice:
- Climate
- Roof orientation
- Room use
- The amount of direct sunlight the skylight receives
Each glass type balances daylight against heat and glare control. The goal is a comfortable, usable room, not simply the brightest one.
Bronze and Gray Tints for Everyday Glare Control
Bronze is the standard glass on SIG skylights. It has a warm tone and helps reduce glare, UV, and heat gain. Gray glass has a cooler tone. It is available as a special order at no charge.
Both tints darken the view slightly compared with clear glass. According to SIG’s published figures, bronze transmits about 54% of visible light, and gray transmits about 46%. Their solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) are 0.55 and 0.54. A lower SHGC means less solar heat passes through the glass. SIG notes that these values are calculated for horizontal insulated units and may vary. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) explains how these ratings work.
Solar Reflective Glass for Full Sun
Solar reflective glass adds a metal-oxide coating. SIG markets it as Full Sun™ glass and says it blocks over 90% of UV light. It comes in bronze, which is stocked in some sizes, and gray, which is custom.
SIG’s figures put solar reflective bronze at a 0.34 SHGC with 21% visible light transmittance. Compared with standard bronze, it admits less heat and less light. This glass suits large or multiple skylights, and rooms with full or afternoon sun. Allow two to three weeks if it is a special order.
Low-E, Clear, and Laminated: Specialty Skylight Glass Options
Low-E glass is nearly clear and is a special order at extra charge. SIG notes that its benefit is largely negated in horizontal skylights.
Clear glass transmits the most light, about 82% visible light. It also lets in the most heat, with a 0.76 SHGC. SIG generally does not recommend clear glass except in full shade. Art studios are one example of where it is used.
Laminated hurricane glass is a different category. It is impact resistant and available in deck-mounted and curb-mounted styles. SIG says it is designed to meet Miami-Dade County, Florida specifications. Some other areas also require it, so check your local building codes before you order. You can read more on the hurricane and laminated skylights page.
Match the Glass to Your Roof and Room
Start with the sun exposure, then work through the options:
- Most rooms: standard bronze is the stock option
- Full or afternoon sun, or large and multiple skylights: solar reflective
- Full shade: clear glass may work
- Areas with impact-resistance requirements: laminated hurricane glass
Stock and special-order sizes differ, so confirm availability for your opening. The same applies to custom sizes and shapes. On custom orders, you can choose the size, shape, and glass type. Finally, confirm the applicable building codes and energy requirements for your property.
Already have a SIG deck-mounted skylight? SIG says the glass can be replaced without removing the skylight.
Explore Skylight Glass Options with SIG Skylights
SIG Skylights manufactures deck-mounted, curb-mounted, and custom skylights in Atlanta, Georgia. Each unit uses tempered, double-pane insulated glass with a welded aluminum frame. The right glass depends on your roof, your room, and how much sun the skylight will see.
Comparing skylight glass options? Visit the SIG Skylights glazing page to see the choices, or contact the team to talk through your project.