Quick answer: Commercial skylights and overhead glazing in Florida must use laminated glass per IBC 2407 and FBC, support live and dead loads per ASCE 7, manage water with proper slope and curb detailing, and meet HVHZ impact requirements in Miami-Dade, Broward, and HVHZ Palm Beach. Common products: Wasco Skylights, Velux Commercial, Major Industries Guardian 275, Kalwall translucent panels.
Overhead glazing sees gravity loads (dead load + live load) that wall glazing doesn't. IBC 2407 requires laminated glass for any glazing at greater than 15 degrees from vertical. The laminated structure prevents falling glass shards in the event of breakage — a critical safety requirement.
Translucent panel systems (Kalwall, Major Industries Guardian 275) for diffuse daylight, dome and pyramid skylights (Wasco, Velux Commercial), structural glass skylights with stick-built aluminum framing, and operable smoke-vent skylights for commercial code compliance.
Florida rain enters overhead openings differently than wall openings. Specify 1/4" per foot minimum slope (1.2 degrees) on flat skylights. Continuous curb flashing. Integral gutters at panel-edge details. Drainage paths that prevent water collection in framing.
Miami-Dade NOAs for skylights are specific. Approved products include Wasco, Velux Commercial, Major Industries, and specialty fabricators. Confirm the specific NOA is current AND that the design pressure matches your project before specification.
Standard translucent panel skylight (10x10 ft): $4,800-$8,400 installed. Custom structural glass skylight (200 SF): $35,000-$72,000 installed. Operable smoke-vent skylight: $6,500-$14,000 installed. HVHZ-rated assemblies: add 20-35%.
Skylights add free daylight — reducing artificial lighting load. But they also add solar heat gain that needs to be managed via Low-E coatings or frit patterns. Specify low-E surface #2 on insulated skylight assemblies for Florida.
Commercial skylights use laminated glass per IBC 2407 — any glazing more than 15 degrees from vertical must be laminated for safety. Insulated laminated assemblies are standard for energy code compliance.
Yes, skylights in HVHZ counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, parts of Palm Beach) must be impact-rated and have a current Miami-Dade NOA. The same TAS 201/202/203 testing applies to overhead glazing.
Translucent panel skylights (10x10 ft): $4,800-$8,400 installed. Custom structural glass skylights (200 SF): $35,000-$72,000 installed. HVHZ-rated adds 20-35%.
Minimum 1/4" per foot slope (1.2 degrees) for flat or low-slope skylights. Steeper slopes shed water more reliably.
Yes — operable skylights, smoke-vent skylights, and motorized hatch skylights are all available for commercial applications. Smoke-vent skylights serve code-required smoke evacuation in some occupancies.
ACG · CGC #1531993 · 48-hour bid turnaround on commercial plans.
Send Us Plans