Commercial Skylight Replacement: Latest Skylight Technology
Skylights are easy to forget about until something goes wrong. On many commercial and industrial buildings across New Zealand, the original skylights have been in place for decades. They’ve yellowed, become brittle and lost much of their light transmission, and they’ve quietly become one of the most dangerous parts of the roof.
Replacing them is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to a commercial building.
The hidden danger of old skylights
Over years of UV exposure, older skylight sheeting becomes brittle. It can look solid from a distance and still fail under the weight of a person. That makes ageing skylights a serious fall hazard for maintenance staff, contractors and anyone who needs roof access.
Safety mesh was long used to reduce the risk, but in corrosive or chemically aggressive environments the mesh itself can erode, and a fall hazard gets harder to spot.
Replacing brittle skylights removes the problem rather than managing it.
What modern skylights offer
At ProClad Roofing, we supply the latest skylight technology for commercial and industrial roofs. One of the products we highly recommend is Webglas GC, which has been proving itself in New Zealand since 1995. Here is what that means in practice.
Safer to work around
Webglas GC is reinforced with a heavy-gauge woven glass mat that provides continuous strength in every direction. It is foot-traffic safe, and its strength means safety mesh is not required. That is especially valuable in corrosive environments where mesh would deteriorate over time. Even with a foot-traffic-safe skylight, standard roof access and fall-protection practices should still be followed, but you remove the hidden brittleness that makes old skylights so dangerous.
Fire-retardant construction
The sheeting is made with Ampelite’s proprietary SL Group 3 “bromine free” fire-retardant resin system. Its surface finish achieved a Group Number 3 performance when tested to ISO 5660 in line with NZBC Verification Method C/VM2, and it is manufactured in accordance with AS/NZS 4256 Parts 1 and 3.
Lets the light in and keeps the heat out
Webglas is available in clear, opal and IR heat-reducing options, so you can bring in daylight while limiting solar heat gain. The heavy-duty UV-resistant gel coat reduces surface erosion, so the sheet keeps its light transmission far longer than older products that haze and yellow.
Lower energy bills
A well-lit building needs less artificial lighting. Replacing tired, discoloured skylights with high-transmission sheeting lets in far more natural light, which can reduce your daytime lighting load. Combined with heat-reducing options, it also helps with cooling costs in warmer months. A brighter workspace is also a more pleasant one for staff.
Built to last
Webglas S-996 GC is corrosion resistant and highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals. The warranty covers light transmission and structural integrity for 20 years. For extreme environments with high levels of acids or alkalis, Webglas S996+ uses vinyl ester resins for extra protection.
It is available in all current profiles, so it can often replace your existing skylights without re-roofing the building.
Where it works best
Webglas S-996 GC suits any building where steel or other roofing materials deteriorate quickly, or where people may need roof access:
Public buildings and schools
Commercial and industrial warehouses
Fertiliser and agricultural chemical plants
Chemical processing and petrochemical sites
Wastewater treatment plants
Marine environments
Mining operations
Paper and pulp manufacturing
Salt extraction and desalination plants
Power stations
Signs it’s time to replace your skylights
Yellowing, hazing or visibly reduced light
Cracks, chips or surface crazing
Leaks around the skylight or fixings
Safety mesh that is rusted or damaged
FAQs
How long do replacement skylights last? Webglas S996 carries a 20-year warranty covering light transmission and structural integrity.
Do I need safety mesh? Not with Webglas S-996 GC. Its woven glass mat provides the strength, and this suits corrosive environments where mesh would erode.
Can new skylights match my existing roof profile? Yes. They’re available in all current and superseded profiles.
Will new skylights make my building too hot? IR heat-reducing sheeting is available to limit heat gain while still letting in natural light.
Ready to replace your skylights?
ProClad Roofing supplies and installs commercial skylights across Auckland. Contact us for a free assessment of your existing skylights and a quote for replacement.
