Skylights / Canopies / Greenhouses / Translucent Roof & Wall Systems
Glazed Structures
Comparison Guide
Commercial Skylights
Crystal Structures, Solar Innovations, Super Sky, VELUX / Wasco and Kingspan
Educational Greenhouses
Crystal Structures, Growspan and Yoderbilt
Conservatories
Crystal Structures, Renaissance, Conservatory Craftsmen, Town and Country
Translucent Roof and Wall Structures
Crystal Structures, Kalwall and Kingspan
Major Manufacturers Of Glazed Structures
- Commercial Skylights:
Solar Innovations, Super Sky, VELUX / Wasco, Kingspan, Crystal Structures - Educational Greenhouses:
Growspan,Yoderbilt, Crystal Structures - Conservatories:
Renaissance, Conservatory Craftsmen, Town And Country, Crystal Structures - Translucent Roof And Wall Structures:
Kalwall, Kingspan, Crystal Structures
In researching which manufacturer best fits your potential project,
be sure to evaluate a list of qualifications beyond “do they make it.”
Ease And Reliance Over Time
Q: Do they also install, service and repair nationally, or outsource?
A: If the manufacturer does not provide these services turnkey and internally, you may be out-of-luck in the future as sub-contractors come and go. This can also cause structures to not be serviced appropriately since many contractors have ‘different’ ways and methods that are not uniform.
Spec Or Customizable Products
Q: Can they provide highly custom design and manufacture?
A: Most glazed structure manufacturers prefer spec products, meaning they prefer not to do one-off projects. Many have a catalog of products for you to choose from. However, if you want something that is not in the catalog, good luck. This is especially tricky in historical renovations of skylights and conservatories.
Design Assistance To Determine Feasibility
Q: Do they offer design assistance during the early days of feasibility analysis working with the architect and construction company?
A: Companies and organizations desiring to incorporate glazed structures into their projects have many questions. What are the requirements for structural strengths, wind and snow loads? How will the structure be incorporated into the new or existing roof, like a TPO roof? What architectural specifications are required? How much will the structure cost – with installation? What will the longer-term service requirements be? What can we expect from energy usage and what conservation measures are possible?
Likeability, Professionalism And Overall Value
Q: Do I want to work with these people?
A: Your glazed structure will be around for a long time. You need a partner that is also going to be around for a long time too. More, you really don’t want a partner where there’s high turnover, where your project manager is out the door and their replacement has no familiarity with your project. Now, turnover is expected, but ask about it. Ask, how does your company keep records of my project, including any custom challenges we encountered and the last minute design or install decisions that were made. Ask about the service requirements over time and how the company plans for them. Do they have a long-term project management plan, or are you going to call them when obvious maintenance issues arise. Preventive maintenance is preferred, of course.
The Bottom Line: Do You Have The Confidence You Require From The Company You’re Considering – In All Of These Areas.
Crystal Structures Receives 4.5 Stars From Customers
Crystal Structures operates in all of these categories.
- More than 26,000 completed projects around the world
- Highly custom vs. spec products
- Design / Manufacture / Install / Service/Repair – all in-house
- Continuous engineering to counter growing weather conditions
- Proprietary designs for stronger structures that move more water, no leakage.
Commercial Skylights
Crystal Structures provides in-house installation, as contrasted with Solar Innovations, Super Sky, VELUX / Wasco and Kingspan. This means no middle man, less cost and, more importantly, one warranty that covers everything, both materials and installation. This becomes important over the life of your project for ease and reliability of support. No gray areas.
Educational Greenhouses
Growspan developed their product for commercial horticultural applications, not classrooms. Yoderbilt is a wood and plastic structure that’s more suited for an inexpensive backyard hobby greenhouse. Crystal Structures’ architectural grade classroom greenhouses are specifically designed for both plants and people. Made of thermally broken aluminum framing and usually high performance insulated glass, just like the rest of the fenestration specified for a school or institution. They meet the codes required for a classroom environment in terms of loads and ADA access. Most importantly, they can be designed to blend architecturally with the rest of the school in size, confirmation and frame finish.
Conservatories
Crystal Structures conservatories are half the price of Renaissance, Conservatory Craftsmen, Town and Country conservatories for the same appearance. They come fully fabricated, so the time your project is in “construction mode zone” is minimized. All vertical glass is insulated tempered glass and the roof is either tempered over tempered or tempered over laminate glass. No annealed glass ever. The framing is all maintenance free aluminum, with a variety of glass options to choose from.
Translucent roof and wall structures
Crystal Structures offers three different translucent wall systems to select from, so you can select the system that best meets your needs. All made of high impact multi-wall polycarbonate. Crystal Structures also offers installation of its own products, so no middle man markup and one warranty that covers everything. No gray area.
Crystal Structures also offers a design assistance program so in the early stages of your project you can get the expert assistance and answers you need without breaking the bank.
Go Ahead. Build With Light.
About The Manufacturers
Solar Innovations
Solar Innovations specializes in creating custom architectural glazing systems. They offer a wide range of products, including greenhouses, sunrooms, conservatories, skylights, and glass structures for both residential and commercial applications.
Super Sky
Super Sky specializes in designing, manufacturing, and installing custom skylight systems. They focus on both residential and commercial applications, offering a variety of skylight designs such as pyramids, domes, ridges, and single-pitch configurations.
Velux / Wasco
VELUX Wasco, now part of VELUX Commercial, specializes in designing and manufacturing skylights and daylighting systems for both residential and commercial applications. They offer a wide range of products, including structural and unit skylights, translucent wall systems, and canopy systems.
Kingspan
Kingspan specializes in insulated panels, insulation boards, light and air systems, water and energy solutions, and data and flooring systems.
Crystal Structures
Crystal Structures operates in all of these glazed structure categories. With decades of experience and more than 26,000 completed projects around the world, Crystal Structures can provide highly customized solutions, such as will be required in historical restorations and high-profile, highly designed projects. The company provides design, manufacture, installation, service and repair – all in-house. The company continuously upgrades the engineering of its products to counter growing weather conditions and has proprietary designs for stronger structures that move more water, no leakage. Crystal Structures also offers a design assistance program so in the early stages of your project you can get the expert assistance and answers you need without breaking the bank.
Growspan
GrowSpan specializes in providing greenhouse structures and growing solutions for both commercial and residential applications. They offer greenhouses, high tunnels, cold frames, and shade structures, catering to various growing needs.
Yoderbilt
Yoderbilt specializes in crafting greenhouses and outdoor living solutions.
Renaissance
Renaissance manufactures custom glass conservatories, skylights, roof lanterns, and garden windows. They are known for their English-styled and Victorian conservatories.
Conservatory Craftsmen
Conservatory Craftsmen builds conservatories, greenhouses, and orangeries.
Town and Country
Town & Country Conservatories specializes in creating custom glass conservatories, orangeries, pool enclosures, and skylights.
Kalwall
Kalwall specializes in translucent daylighting systems.
Kingspan
Kingspan specializes in insulated panels, insulation boards, light and air systems, water and energy solutions, and data and flooring systems.
Request a bid online: crystalstructuresglazing.com
or Call (316) 838-0033 today!