Velux Commercial Skylights
Skylights have the potential to transform the interior of commercial buildings. Natural light benefits both building occupants and the bottom line. The natural light that is harnessed and diffused through quality commercial skylights enhances the experience of indoor spaces and research indicates also increases the health and well-being, as well as overall productivity, of building occupants. Additionally, the ability to leverage natural light as a lighting resource can reduce electricity use and utility costs. Commercial skylights come in a range of styles and applications that can fit nearly every commercial building.
Velux: A premier brand in skylights
For over 75 years, Velux has been a trusted brand and market leader in providing residential and commercial skylight solutions. To create their innovative skylight models, Velux collaborates with architects, industrial designers, smart building technology companies, as well as sustainable living initiatives.
The result is a cutting-edge lineup of skylight products. From the Velux Group’s first patent for their roof window in 1942 to today’s broad portfolio with dozens of skylight models and variations, Velux has become synonymous with quality, efficiency, and innovation.
Velux and Mares & Dow: Ideal partners in commercial skylights
To design and implement new skylight solutions in over 40 countries worldwide, Velux partners with local skylight contractors to ensure proper installation and maximize the design potential of their products. These Five-Star skylight installers are a specialized group of insured contractors designated by Velux based on the quality and thoroughness of their work, as well as their commitment to providing the best job possible. In San Francisco and the East Bay, Mares & Dow are the Velux Premier Skylight Specialists, and they have been providing reputable general contracting, home remodeling, and skylight services for 40 years. Mares & Dow prides itself on customer satisfaction and is an ideal partner for Velux commercial skylights in the Bay Area, no matter the skylight solution.
Dynamic Domes
Velux Dynamic Domes are one of the new products in the Velux portfolio and their design aims to revolutionize commercial skylights through its five innovative components:
- Industry-leading strength
- Optimum light harvesting
- Superior water management
- Secure thermal seal
- Competitive market pricing
The Dynamic Dome utilizes a unique structural design of geometric ridges and ribs that is both aesthetically stunning and superior in strength. The thermoplastic material of its glazing was factory tested to withstand hail, fire, and even an 8-foot projectile propelled at 40mph without leaving a scratch on the dome surface. The Dynamic Dome is also designed to maximize the amount of daylight it harvests, with its sidewalls engineered to match the angle of the sun at morning and evening, increasing light transfer during those low-light parts of the day.
In addition, the Dynamic Dome benefits from a proprietary wicking system that moves condensation to the exterior of the skylight and a one-piece inner frame made of 50-year silicone that minimizes leaks. Further, this inner frame, combined with the dome mounting design, provides a secure thermal seal that insulates the interior surfaces from the external temperatures.
Lastly, the Dynamic Dome is designed and manufactured to minimize costs, for example,l e the light-weight skylights can stack and be shipped in large quantities, thereby reducing freight costs.
Traditional Domes
Velux Traditional Domes feature single, double, and triple-dome designs, with multiple glazing options for the exterior, middle, and interior domes, and come in standard or custom sizes to meet a variety of commercial skylight needs. Traditional Dome skylights also utilize the same innovative frame design of the Dynamic and Acrylic Double Domes, which ensures superior water management and a secure thermal seal. The one-piece, thermoplastic inner frame wicks away any interior condensation while also providing an impenetrable seal to the curb that prevents precipitation, air, or bugs from coming inside.
The inner frame is a key component within an overall frame system that also includes a glazing spacer that works to reduce cracking when the domes expand or contract and further acts against condensation accumulation, while the inner dome rests on material with similar properties of expansion and contraction. Together, this unique frame design provides the durability and efficiency customers expect from Velux commercial skylights.
Acrylic Double Domes
Velux Acrylic Double Domes are curb-mounted and have three glazing options. Customers can opt for a clear exterior dome over a clear interior dome, a bronze exterior dome over a clear interior dome, or a clear exterior dome over a white interior dome, and each variation has its benefits. For example, a clear-over-clear Acrylic Double Dome skylight is ideal for applications that seek to harvest the maximum amount of natural light, while clear-over-white Acrylic Double Domes have similar light transfer properties but produce more diffuse lighting with less potential for glare in the interior space.
Velux Acrylic Double Dome curb-mounted skylights are a versatile commercial skylight option as they can be installed on various roof types and yield similar light harvesting, water management, and thermal security results. This is due to the “warm design” of the skylight, which fully isolates the interior surfaces of the skylight from exterior temperatures by utilizing a one-piece thermoplastic inner frame that acts as a thermal break. This design benefits customers by minimizing the formation of condensation, which occurs when the moist indoor air comes in contact with surfaces that are subject to the fluctuations of external temperatures and which is mitigated with Velux’s encapsulating inner frame. This design also curtails the infiltration of exterior environmental elements through the skylight, such as air, water, or insects, which can undermine the quality of the indoor environment, reduce occupant comfort, and increase HVAC energy use and utility costs.
Fixed Curb Mounts
Velux Fixed Curb Mount skylights boast a maintenance-free frame, versatility in the dimensions and installation direction of the skylight, and the options of factory-installed blinds or white laminated glass.
These commercial skylights are ideal for smaller or dimly-lit spaces that, with the introduction of natural light, can appear to expand as they access sky views. These skylights transform areas such as stairwells, hallways, or interior rooms without windows.
As the skylight model name indicates, Fixed Curb Mount skylights do not vent and utilize an installation technique that relies on a curb, which is a raised structure that corresponds with the dimensions of the skylight and is either built on-site with wood or pre-manufactured and made of aluminum or steel.
The curb is affixed to the roof’s surface, and the skylight is mounted on top, as opposed to deck-mounted skylights, which are installed flat against the roof’s surface.
1 – Clean, Quiet & Safe Glass
2 – Daylight
3 – No Leak Promise
Modular Skylights
Velux Modular Skylights can be characterized as a system of multiple commercial skylights that are designed by customers to meet their unique needs and manufactured to their specifications by Velux. There is a multitude of variations available, from the type of glass to the type of ventilation and blind control system, and come in five primary configurations with accompanying prefabricated flashing.
- Longlight
This Modular Skylight solution is a single series of skylights that is ideal for flat or slightly-pitched (between 5 and 25 degrees) roofs and works to open up large rooms and corridors. - Wall-Mounted Longlight
Similar to standard Longlight Modular Skylights, the Wall-Mounted Longlight is a single series of skylights but can be installed at a steeper pitch (up to 40 degrees) and affixed to a vertical wall. The Wall-Mounted Longlight opens up design options for commercial buildings with staggered rooflines, making the juncture of horizontal and vertical exterior surfaces dynamic channels of natural light.
- Northlight
Northlight Modular Skylights are designed for north-facing roofs that allow their upright design to harvest more reflected, as opposed to direct, natural light. This design is ideal for spaces that require softer daylight illumination and minimal glare, such as galleries or offices that utilize a modern, open-concept interior design. - Ridgelight
This Modular Skylight configuration involves two series of skylights that steeple together to form a shared ridge that is self-supporting and allows an even greater amount of natural light through its angled and doubled skylight surface area. - Atrium Longlight/Ridgelight
The most comprehensive of the Modular Skylight solutions, Atrium Modular Skylights are composed of multiple series of Ridgelights or Longlights supported with structural beams. There is further variation available by combining fixed and venting skylights in the larger Atrium Modular Skylight design.
Commercial Sun Tunnels
Velux Commercial Sun Tunnels offer an innovative alternative in scenarios where more traditional skylights are not feasible, while still harvesting and channeling ample natural light into interior spaces. Commercial Sun Tunnels are composed of a small acrylic dome that is attached to a highly reflective silver tube that can extend several feet into the building and terminates in an interior light diffuser. Commercial Sun Tunnels work by harvesting sunlight through the specially designed external domes and directing the light through the tunnel, the surface of which provides 98% total reflectivity. The diffuser at the end of the tube allows the tunneled light to illuminate a wide area and can be adapted to work with open, suspended, or hard ceilings. Commercial Sun Tunnels are designed for flat or slightly-pitched roofs and are manufactured in three models ready for installation, the curb mounted flashing model, the pitched self-flashed model, or the flat self-flashed model.
Velux: A premier brand in skylights
For over 75 years, Velux has been a trusted brand and market leader in providing residential and commercial skylight solutions. To create their innovative skylight models, Velux collaborates with architects, industrial designers, smart building technology companies, as well as sustainable living initiatives. The result is a cutting-edge lineup of skylight products. From the Velux Group’s first patent for their roof window in 1942 to today’s broad portfolio with dozens of skylight models and variations, Velux has become synonymous with quality, efficiency, and innovation.
In San Francisco and the East Bay, Mares & Dow are the Velux Premier Skylight Specialists, and they have been providing reputable general contracting, home remodeling, and skylight services for 40 years. Mares & Dow prides itself on customer satisfaction and is an ideal partner for Velux commercial skylights in the Bay Area, no matter the skylight solution.
Words of Appreciation from Our Valued Clients
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights installed a large Velux skylight for me in August 2017. The entire experience was wonderful and the skylight is beautiful, both functionally and aesthetically. Janet made sure the work was scheduled to be completed before a trip I had planned. Jimmy measured carefully when he quoted the work and even accommodated a last minute change on the location when he arrived to do the work. They protected my new floors and were careful to keep dust to a minimum. Archie came by to ensure that all was going smoothly. Freddy helped matched the stain on my nearly 70 year old tongue and grove ceiling that really took some effort and he even matched some a few small spots that a previous contractor had sanded and removed the original stain. EVERYONE was cheerful and knowledgeable. Now, my little mid century house has emerged into the light!
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights replaced two aging skylights in our bedroom and installed automatic blinds on four skylights. This was not an easy job, since our bedroom has very very high cathedral ceilings. In fact, one other skylight installer refused to do the job altogether, and a second made a bid that was almost twice as expensive as Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. Janet Mares, who was our main contact for the job, was a pleasure to work with. Her son, Jimmy, who led the installation, was fearless climbing the ceiling, and he eally knew his stuff. We’re thrilled with our new and improved skylights, and we appreciate Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights’ solid, reasonably priced, work. Thanks guys!
I’ve had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install 3 sun tunnels in my home and most recently, 2 skylights in my garage/art studio. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the quality of their work and professionalism! All my communications with their office and installers have been extremely pleasant. I would use them again (and again) and highly recommend them to anyone looking to install Velux skylights/sun tunnels in their home!
Being a new homeowner, i really did my research before having someone come out and give me a quote on a skylight. You never know what to believe when you read yelp reviews. So, i went ahead and had Jimmy from mares and dow come out and give me an estimate. He was right on time, came out and measured and was very professional while he was here. Janet called me a few days later and sent me over an estimate. I went them them and couldn’t be happier. It arrived in the time frame she had told me, and they were out that week. The workers came out on time, and were very friendly and professional. Dennis ( one of the owners) came out as well and checked on the job. The went above and beyond with their work. The skylight looks beautiful! Night and day from the old one. If you are wanting a skylight, i strongly reccomend going with mare and dow
We had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install a Velux skylight in our new master bathroom. The space was small and dark, so Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights suggested a big skylight to add in lots of natural light. They built in a double crown molding to beautifully frame the skylight, and now the space is open and airy with wonderful natural light. We can open the skylight during warm months to let in fresh air. It was a superb addition to our bathroom renovation and a great suggestion from Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. They did a fantastic job and were great to work with! Thanks guys!
