Well-detailed drawings save money and time, from “apples-to-apples” bids to fewer surprises during construction.
Ensure that all necessary dimensions are provided. If skylight, greenhouse, or solarium will sit atop a curb or knee wall, provide dimensions to outside finished face of that curb. If skylight includes integral curbs, provide desired clear roof opening dimensions. (Either way, ensure sufficient information is shown to understand curb construction/depth). For glazed canopies, provide overall dimensions for supporting structure (steel, wood, etc.) and centerline dimensions of members. For translucent wall assemblies, provide rough opening dimensions and ensure there’s sufficient information to understand depth of surrounding construction. Ensure pitch is indicated for sloped construction (or eave and ridge heights, if more critical). Provide height of any vertical walls (top of curb-to-eave, top of slab-to-eave, etc.). If spacing of elements is not equal and calculable, provide desired dimensions. Lastly, indicate any required clearance to adjacent construction.
Depict all general aspects of the configuration. Clearly indicate if a skylight includes glazed walls (end, front, and/or back). If there is a design intent regarding number of bays / division of glazing, clearly show this. Same thing for any intended relationships to other systems, such as aligning rafters with adjacent curtain wall or ceiling joists. For non-square single slope skylights, clarify direction of slope. Locate any operable vents, windows, etc. and depict direction/manner of operability.
Provide detail(s) of each condition (sill, jamb, ridge, eave, etc.), including how the system joins adjacent construction. If the same condition varies (for example, part of a jamb butts into a masonry wall and the rest has a glazed end wall), provide multiple details as needed.
Show enough detail to clearly indicate desired system and construction, but be careful of proprietary detailing that can limit competitive bidding. If unclear of exact detailing, indicate design intent without unnecessary guesswork.
Be careful that the system you’ve drawn and detailed is consistent with the associated specifications – especially if either one has been altered/revised.
Be certain to choose a system that’s designed for sloped, overhead applications. For instance, most of WSD’s systems are wet-sealed (continuous beads of weather sealant at all joints, instead of relying on gaskets) and utilize our special, tested lapped glass detail at horizontal joints (provides positive drainage similar to lapped shingles, in addition to the joint sealant). Structural silicone glazing (SSG) horizontal and/or vertical joints are also available, featuring a flush appearance (but relying solely on the sealant for weathertightness). Both horizontal flush joints and WSD’s lapped horizontal joints can employ exterior, (concealed) mechanically fastened bar cap at vertical joints. Translucent, structured polycarbonate panel glazed canopies and skylights come without horizontal joints (up to 39’ lengths) and are also offered with standing seam and batten vertical joints. (See “Detail Manuals, Example Shop Drawings, & Specifications” page for more information).
Although Wisconsin Solar Design’s high-performance systems minimize the potential, overhead glazing in climate-controlled spaces can experience condensation when there is high humidity and a large interior/exterior temperature differential. It’s important that a condensation collection system is noted and/or part of the specification. (WSD’s systems include extruded gutters, drip pans, weeps, etc.).