Roof Hatch Is Designed to Provide Energy Efficiency

The Bilco Co. has introduces a thermally broken roof hatch, an addition to its line of commercial specialty access products. This new product features a thermally broken frame and cover design to minimize heat transfer and the effects of condensation and to provide energy efficiency.

As a basic premise to energy loss, heat by nature wants to flow to a cooler space. During summer months, heat from the extremely hot roof exterior wants to radiate through the roof hatch into the cooler building interior. While standard roof-hatch insulation helps to reduce this heat gain, the metal construction of the roof hatch itself facilitates this temperature transfer, which can lead to increased utility costs and condensation issues on the underside of the roof hatch. In winter or colder months, this same energy transfer principle results in heat loss from inside the building and increased energy expenses, as well.

Bilco¹s new thermally broken roof hatch is designed with an element of low conductivity integrated between interior and exterior surfaces of the cover and frame to reduce temperature transfer. As an added benefit, these same thermally broken components dampen vibration for improved acoustic performance against outside noise. The product also features 3 square feet of polyisocyanurate insulation with an R-value of 18 in both the cover and curb for superior energy performance and a special cover gasket to minimize air leakage.

Thermally broken roof hatches are constructed of aluminum to attain high levels in recycled content and solar reflective index. The product will be offered in a number of standard single-leaf sizes and custom sizes can be specified. As with all Bilco’s roof hatches, the product features counter-balanced lift assistance for easy one-hand operation, an automatic hold-open arm, a heavy-duty slam latch with interior and exterior padlock hasps, and the innovative Bil-Clip flashing system for quick and easy installation on single-ply roofs.