They’re clear, but these glass roof tiles could make your next home greener
Digitial Trends, December 14, 2015
Not to be confused with class ceilings, glass roofs are nothing new. We’ve known about conservatories since we were kids playing Clue, and greenhouses, porches, and foyers with translucent tops are fairly common. The problem with all that glass is that it makes your home one with the weather. Sunny summer days can make the room boil, while deep winter days can make the place freeze.
But Sweden’s SolTech Energy wants to use the sun to heat your home, even here in the cloudy Pacific Northwest. Unlike traditional roof shingles, made of cement or aphalt, SolTech’s glass tiles let the sun shine through. An absorption fabric underneath capture the sun’s rays, while beams form a columned area where the air warms and circulates. The energy generated by this process works with the house’s heating system, whether its air-based or water-based, according to SolTech. The glass tiles may not aesthetically please everyone, but we think they look kind of like something you’d find on a gingerbread house. The black nylon beneath the tiles means any nearby birds or passing drones can’t spy on you, either.