Like most people who have them, I lose a tremedous amount of heat out of our skylights during the winter. I saw some Lexan recently and wonder if anyone has had any positive experience in using that or some similiar product to keep the light coming in from skylights but keeping the heat from escaping.
Lexan evidently does not yellow and is very durable.
Any suggestions?
Replies
The R-value of a single pane of Lexan is pretty low. You'd do considerably better with standard double-glazed low-e glass panels.
Jamie,
Thanks for your response. I was at a fancy restaurant last night that had Lexan in a Greenhouse glass area. The owner told me that the Lexan was double walled and had a r value of about 4? Maybe he did not know for sure? But if he is correct, R 4 is about the value of double walled glass?
If you're not too concerned about a clear view, GE's Thermoclear may be what the guy was talking about. It is made of Lexan, and used for greenhouses. http://www.piedmontplastics.com/html/prodname-LEXAN_THERMOCLEAR_Sheet-352.htm
My sister along with two roommates is renting a large house with three skylights. Whoever was there before put sheets of pink foam board cut to snugly fit in the opening. It lets a little light through and cuts down on the loss. They haven't bothered taking it down.
Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK