Green Building and LEED

Storefront Specialties and Glazing has completed a number of LEED projects involving recycled aluminum, translucent skylights and high performance glass.  Storefront Specialties and Glazing is an authorized installer and distributor of Major Industries.  In addition to distributing and installing Major Products, SSG is the Sales Representative for Wasco Skylights.  For more information please visit either www.wascoskylights.com or www.majorskylights.com .

Green Building and LEED

Daylighting has become synonymous with the new green building movement – and for good reason. Improving work environments, increasing occupant satisfaction and controlling energy costs are just a few of the many benefits that a properly designed daylighting system can offer.
Like all things "green," choosing the right daylighting solution for your project and budget can be a tricky task. Where should you start? Though there's a wide variety of daylighting options out there to choose from, it's important that you first analyze your building's functional purpose, as this can have a significant effect on how successfully a daylighting system will perform.

Choosing the Right Fit

What is daylighting? In essence, it's the illumination of an interior space through the use of natural light. In most cases, daylight is brought into interiors via windows, skylights, curtainwall or some combination of these systems. Despite claims to the contrary, daylighting is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Numerous factors can influence the success or failure of a daylighting system, including its location, the building's other architectural elements, space planning, and other variations that can turn energy-savings into an overall loss due to occupant dissatisfaction and a reduction in user productivity.

How is this possible? Think of an office area where large numbers of computers or other electronic devices are set up for extended daily use. If we position a skylight over the space – or a large section of curtainwall – that utilizes traditional transparent glazing (take clear glass, for example), the sunlight will come pouring into the space virtually uncontrolled, causing issues with uncomfortable hot-spots and annoying glare. The money we've saved by not having to rely on artificial lighting is lost due to the inability of occupants to work efficiently – not to mention a sharp decline in worker satisfaction. Additionally, some transparent glazing materials can increase solar heat gain which can cause additional stress on HVAC systems. Exterior and interior shading devices are available for transparent glazing systems, but keep in mind that these devices require capital investment and, in many cases, drive additional maintenance costs.

Why Daylighting Makes a Difference

Consider this – an investment in daylighting can lead to significant energy and cost savings over the life of the building. In fact, some studies suggest that daylighting can reduce the lifetime utility cost by 50% or more in new buildings, and that the money saved from downsizing electrical and HVAC components can usually pay for the additional up-front costs.1 Utilizing natural light is a cost-effective way to illuminate interior spaces during daytime hours, reducing the need for energy-hungry artificial light sources.

Daylighting is the Right Choice

Illuminating interior spaces by utilizing the natural light that's all around us is one of the easiest and most efficient green building elements to include in your next project. Whether you're an architect, designer, or building owner, by incorporating Major Industries' daylighting systems you can rest assured that you're taking a positive step to reduce energy use and contribute to a better environment.

From: http://majorskylights.com/school/basicsofdaylighting.php