The Center of Clayton, Clayton, Mo.
Retrofit Team
Skylight Installer: St. Louis Skylights, St. Louis
Manufacturer’s Representative: Roofing Sales Associates, St. Charles, Mo.
Materials
Durability, light transmittance and energy efficiency were challenges facing this replacement project. The original translucent skylight system experienced extensive delamination between the face sheet and interior aluminum grid after only nine to 10 years. Inspection also revealed that sunlight and heat caused these panels to deteriorate and yellow, preventing them from transmitting much natural, healthy sunlight.
“One of the skylights has a double pitch and the sunny side has much more damage than the non-sunny side,” says Tim Wonish, director of Facility Services for Clayton School District. In addition, the delaminated panels would not meet OSHA load requirements.
Heat gain and energy efficiency would also pose a potential problem because of the very large span of each skylight.
Pinnacle 350 structural ridge and double pitch metal-framed skylight structures with multiwall polycarbonate panels were chosen to replace the existing skylights. The new skylights offer durability, large-span capability, and fast onsite assembly and installation. The multiwall polycarbonate panels also are protected from damage or discoloration by UV rays. They were filled with lumira aerogel, which allows minimal thermal transfer while still providing an abundance of highly diffused natural light.
“The new skylights let in so much more light compared to the previous system—so much that on sunny days we are able to shut off rows of electrical lights,” Wonish notes.
The following materials were used in the project:
- Four Pinnacle 350 Double Pitch: 9 feet 6 inches by 42 feet, 5:12 slope, 25-millimeter glazing, clear multiwall polycarbonate filled with Lumira Aerogel in a mill finish.
- Two Pinnacle 350 Structural Ridge: 9 feet 6 inches by 83 feet, 5:12 pitch, 25-millimeter glazing, clear multiwall polycarbonate filled with Lumira Aerogel in a clear anodized finish.
Skylight Manufacturer: Wasco Skylights
The Retrofit
Located on the Clayton High School campus, the building offers sports; fitness; swimming; and recreational, educational and lifestyle enhancement programs. The 136,000-squarefoot facility features four gymnasiums, two pools, a lazy river, suspended jogging track, weight lifting, aerobic/dance areas, a 30-foot climbing wall, classrooms, lounge, meeting rooms and a Subway.
Construction presented a number of unique challenges. The center is open every day except for Christmas and Thanksgiving from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Because the building project is a joint venture between the city and school district, work had to accommodate student use and that of the community at large. Protecting the gymnasium floor and pool from falling debris also was a major concern. The final challenge was finding a reputable contractor.
Photo: Wasco Skylights