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Frequently Asked QuestionsMost Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering
Image Options
Lighting & Technical Questions
Installation
Miscellaneous Questions
Do you have a printed catalog?Hoping to save some trees, we don't print traditional paper catalogs. However, nearly complete information is available on our website, especially in the Products, Portfolio, and Image Catalog sections. You may also contact us with any questions you have. How do I get pricing for your products?Our products are usually custom designed for each of our clients. For this reason we ask that you contact us for precise, free quotations. To request a specific quote simply contact one of our Sky Designers by email or phone. Contact Us Do you sell SkyTiles alone that we can use to replace the plastic lenses of our existing fluorescent light fixtures?We don't, and here's why: The goal of a Luminous SkyCeiling is to create an authentic illusion of sky. Our light boxes (called 'troffers') have been designed to evenly illuminate the Luminous SkyTile, which makes it look like real sky (along with the daylight-balanced lights, the 3-D look created by the Luminous SkyTile Elevators, and the high quality of the photographs). Standard fluorescent light housings are too shallow to evenly illuminate a Luminous SkyTile, and will create hot spots and dim stripes that will destroy the subtlety of the illusion. For this reason we don't supply Luminous SkyTiles without the complete compliment of Luminous SkyCeiling components. How do I design my SkyCeiling™ or Luminous Virtual Window™?A short answer is: Call one of our Sky Designers. They will be able to walk you through the design and ordering process. A Sky Designer will generally ask about the type and use of your facility (i.e.: residential-dining room, or healthcare-MRI suite), the dimensions of the project space you are undertaking, (i.e.: 9 foot ceiling in 16x20 foot room), and the desired aesthetic effect. The Sky Designers can also help you with other aspects, such as optimal SkyCeiling size, orientation, and image choices. Before calling, though, it will be useful to take a good look at our website, especially the Products and Image Catalog sections. By becoming familiar with the varieties of SkyCeilings, and the range of images available for our products, your initial conversation with a Sky Designer will be much more productive. What is the difference between a Luminous SkyCeiling™ and an Ambient SkyCeiling?Luminous SkyCeilings utilize Luminous SkyTiles, transparent sky image panels that fit into a hung ceiling. They are illuminated from behind by our custom lighting systems. Luminous SkyCeilings require 9" of clearance from the bottom of the hung ceiling to the hard ceiling deck above. Although simple to install, experience with electrical wiring/switching is required. Ambient SkyCeilings, our original product, are opaque sky image panels that take the place of acoustic ceiling tiles in a hung, modular ceiling. They are solid and have no lights behind them. They are illuminated by the ambient light in a room, by specialty lighting installed on the walls, or lighting installed in a custom built cove up near the ceiling. Because there is no lighting behind an Ambient SkyCeiling, there is no need for additional clearance above the hung ceiling. Ambient SkyCeilings are very easy to install and are less expensive (in terms of price per sq. ft.) than Luminous SkyCeilings. Each type of SkyCeiling has its own advantages, but both types provide beautiful illusions of real sky for enclosed interior spaces.
What is a 'Sky Designer'?Sky Designers are the people who will help you design and order SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows. The Sky Designers have helped to design hundreds of projects for our clients (architects, general contractors, facilities managers, home owners, etc.) - they can answer your questions, make suggestions based on our experience, provide free quotations, and help with your image selection. After you have had a good look at our website, contact a Sky Designer to get your project underway. How do I order a SkyCeiling or Luminous Virtual Window?First, take a look at the information on our website - visit the Products section and the Image Catalog. Second, contact one of our Sky Designers, who will walk you through the design, pricing, and ordering of your SkyCeiling or Luminous Virtual Window. How do I select and approve of images for my project?Before, or when you are placing an order, please do the following: We need your image approval within 5 business days from the day you receive our email with the installation illustrations. Delay in approval may cause a delay in hitting our targeted shipping date for your order. * SkyCeiling images that begin with SE (Signature Edition) have an additional cost associated with them. Luminous Virtual Windows have the cost of Signature Edition images built into the pricing. How quickly will I get my order, what are your lead times?Our leads time are: 4 weeks for rectilinear SkyCeilings, and 6 weeks for shaped SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows. The lead times become effective when (1) we have received your deposit, and (2) we have your final approval for the image(s) for your project. If our lead times do not work with your deadline, please go over your requirements with your Sky Designer. In all cases we will try to accommodate your needs. In most cases we are able to do so. How do I specify or submit The Sky Factory for my project?Call or email one of our Sky Designers with your project description, reflected ceiling plan (RCP), and size. We will be happy to provide part numbers and quantities specific to your project. We will also provide submittal forms with your quote. On very large orders, we can pass on the savings that we achieve through large-volume orders of components and raw materials. Do you sell and ship internationally?Yes, we manufacture to both imperial and metric standards that comply with most ceiling systems, and ship our products to clients worldwide. Do you offer wholesale pricing, or bulk order discounts?We are a 'factory direct' operation, selling and shipping directly to our clients. We do not have the margin in our pricing to create lower 'wholesale' pricing. Our pricing is based on the fact that we deal directly with our clients, saving layers of distribution costs. This helps keep our prices affordable. We also manufacture all of our products, saving the costs of outsourcing components as well as assuring you of a uniformly high quality product. On very large orders, we can pass on the savings that we achieve through large-volume orders of components and raw materials. How can I see your products installed; do you have showrooms?Because we are a 'factory direct' company, we do not maintain showrooms or have dealers. We will be happy to send you 4 inch sample Ambient or Luminous SkyTiles. The samples will give you a good idea of the quality of the printing, and the durability of the materials. We can also help you initiate a visit to a SkyCeiling or Luminous Virtual Window installation in your area. Please contact a Sky Designer to discuss visiting an installation.
Some of the sky images are not the same shape as our ceiling design; can we still choose one of them?You can choose from any image. Each SkyCeiling image is made from a larger image than what's shown in the online Image Catalog, or from multiple images "stitched" together. Depending on the size and dimension of your SkyCeiling, some cropping of the image may occur. Our graphics department will provide you with a JPEG sketch of your chosen image in your ceiling. We expect to work with you to customize your image until it is completely to your liking. Can we pick a landscape photograph for the SkyCeiling?
Can you make a SkyCeiling or Luminous Virtual Window using a photograph that I supply?We will be happy to evaluate a photograph that you provide, either as a large format transparency or high-resolution digital file. Our products feature very large photographic reproductions that require very large digital image files. If your photograph meets the technical requirements for our standards of reproduction, we will be able to use it. On the other hand, we have hundreds of images to choose from, and can combine images to make a nearly limitless number of possible images for your installation. In nearly every case, our clients have been able to find a photograph from our Image Catalog that perfectly suits their requirements. We are also happy to help you source the work of other photographers not presently represented in our signature edition. How big can you make a SkyCeiling?The only limit to the size of our installations is the size of the ceiling. We work with malls, conference rooms and other large, open areas. With all our installations the goal is to create an effective illusion of nature - striving to give every viewer the positive experience of the sky itself. To achieve this goal, we photograph an entire sky with multiple, high-resolution exposures and digitally 'stitch' the resulting images together to create one large sky. Our approach to large SkyCeiling installations is very different from other companies who put pictures on ceilings. Often, to cover a large space, companies will repeat the same image over and over. Or, they will 'up-rez' a single image to make it fill the space while degrading the image quality in the process. Neither approach is acceptable to us because these techniques destroy the authenticity of the illusion of a vast and beautiful sky.
What is a 'Luminous SkyTile Elevator™'?The Luminous SkyTile Elevator is a patent-pending lightweight aluminum frame that rests on the T-bar grid of a modular ceiling. It takes the place of an acoustic tile. It is also the seat for the Luminous SkyTile, the image component of a Luminous SkyCeiling. The 'Elevator' serves several purposes: (1) It lifts the SkyTile up about 1.25 inches, eliminating the shadows or reflections that are otherwise cast by the vertical component of ceiling grid T-bar. (2) The 'Elevator' also gives the ceiling grid a more substantial, 3-dimensional appearance, like the real structural element in a skylight. The 'Elevator' is one of the key components of a Luminous SkyCeiling contributing to its authenticity as an illusion of a real skylight. Do you make the lighting systems for your products?We have designed, and manufacture our own lighting systems, both T-5 fluorescent, and our patent-pending RFfreeLux™ LED troffers for MRI and other shielded environments. Our light-boxes are an integral component of Luminous SkyCeilings, and contribute to the illusion of real sky. These lighting systems are designed to evenly light the image, avoiding any 'hotspots' or shadowy 'striping'. Our lighting is daylight balanced: The T-5 fluorescent lights have a color temperature of 6500K, and the LED systems are 6100K, both mimic the daylight spectrum. Our photographic images are color-balanced to this range of color temperature to optimally reproduce the delicate colors of the sky. The important point here is that the senses and mind cannot distinguish between 6500K and real daylight. This is the reason why 6500K fluorescent lighting is used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Is there research on the benefits of SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows?A pilot study entitled Influence of The Sky Factory SkyCeilings™ in the Workplace was done by Mark, Snedaker and Stock at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2005. In their summary they said, "The Sky Factory can and should claim that their SkyCeilings contribute to employee's perceived productivity. In addition, our analysis clearly shows that the installation of Sky Factory ceiling tiles improves the attitude of employees. The attitude of employees correlates highly with perceived productivity." We have strong anecdotal evidence for the positive benefits of our products. But, anecdotal evidence needs to be scientifically verified. To that end, we are actively pursuing other research opportunities and are seeking partners in this area. How do I choose between T-5 fluorescent and RFfreeLux LED lighting for my Luminous SkyCeiling?T-5 fluorescent lighting is an energy-efficient and long lasting source of real daylight-balanced lighting for your SkyCeiling or Luminous Virtual Window. It is the most popular choice, and the least expensive of our two systems. RFfreeLux LED lighting is a patent-pending system that we developed for use in MRI suites and other shielded facilities, where elimination of radio frequency interference (RFI) is a requirement. LED lighting is an up-and-coming technology that we will see in a growing number of lighting applications. LED lighting is very energy-efficient (4 watts per sq. ft. vs. 7 watts per sq. ft.), and extremely long lasting - we estimate that our RFfreeLux systems will have a useful life in the neighborhood of 100,000 hours vs. 20,000 for the high-efficiency (HF) T-5 lamps. LED technology is newer and more complex than fluorescent, and hence is more expensive, approximately 80% more. We occasionally sell commercial or residential systems with RFfreeLux LED because of the high efficiency and low maintenance. maintenance. Can we use our own lighting system with a Luminous SkyCeiling?The short answer is 'no,' and here's why: The critical issues with lighting a Luminous SkyCeiling are: (1) that the color temperature of the lighting be in the daylight range, 6100-6500K, and (2) that the illumination of the Luminous SkyTile is uniform from edge to edge. Our fluorescent and RFfreeLux light housings (called 'troffers') have been designed to achieve perfectly even illumination of your Luminous SkyCeiling with daylight-balanced light. This is an essential element in assuring that the Luminous SkyCeiling produces the authentic illusion of real sky. If we sold a Luminous SkyCeiling without our lighting we would not be certain that it would perform as required from an aesthetic or illusion point of view, and, because of heat and UV factors common in other systems, we would not be able to warranty the system. For this reason, and because we want our SkyCeilings to always deliver the high quality that we design and build into them, we do not sell Luminous SkyCeilings without our lighting systems. Please click here to read more about why you would want to use our lighting. Do you make SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows that will work in MRI suites, even with the new 3T machines?Yes, our SkyCeilings and Luminous Virtual Windows are routinely installed in MRI suites and are fully guaranteed to be RFI free. To achieve this with Luminous SkyCeilings or Luminous Virtual Windows, we use LED (light emitting diode), a DC technology. We've developed the world's first, patent-pending LED image illumination system called RFfreeLux™. This LED lighting for MRIs, produces the optimal temperature balance and even illumination critical to the proper functioning of our illusions. When you order one of our products for an MRI installation it will come with RFfreeLux LED lighting. How much light does a SkyCeiling provide to a room?The light from a Luminous SkyCeiling will positively influence the illumination quality of a room, providing approximately 15 foot-candles at 4 feet below the SkyCeiling. We do point out, though, that the Luminous SkyCeiling is not intended to function as a "task" light. What is the energy consumption of a Luminous SkyCeiling?A Luminous SkyCeiling with T-5 fluorescent light boxes consumes approx. 7 watts per sq. ft. A Luminous SkyCeiling with RFfreeLux LED light boxes consumes approx. 4 watts per sq. ft. Lighting & Technical QuestionsYou'll need 9" from the room-side surface of the modular ceiling grid to the hard ceiling deck or lowest obstacle directly above the SkyCeiling. This distance will accommodate the Luminous SkyTile Elevator, the Luminous SkyTile, and the lighting troffer and its wiring. If you do not have this clearance, you may create the necessary depth by adding a Floating Luminous SkyCeiling to your ceiling grid. Please contact one of our Sky Designers to discuss your space requirements and solutions, if clearance is an issue. How long do SkyTiles last?SkyTiles are made of a durable acrylic material that will last for many, many years. The image is printed on a translucent media that is laminated to the acrylic panel. The printed surface is also durable, and can be safely handled and washed with soap and water or an alcohol wipe. The images are printed with pigment inks that are rated for archival use when kept under gallery-like conditions. However, a Luminous SkyTile is subjected to conditions quite unlike a gallery, being close to a moderately strong light source. While UV ratings for our lighting systems are the lowest in the lighting industry, (and it is UV that is most damaging to printed images) some color shift will eventually occur. Our current ink supplier guarantees 10 years without color shift or fading. We presently guarantee the Luminous SkyTiles for 6 years - the length of our testing period. You can expect to see no change over that time. If for any reason, your Luminous SkyTiles fade appreciably before the 6 years, we will replace them. After 6 years, you can trade in your SkyTiles for new ones through our recycle and renewal program, saving 20% off the price of new SkyTiles. Ambient SkyTiles, which do not have transmitted light, have a 10-year warranty.
Does a SkyCeiling come as one piece, or is it in pieces?SkyCeilings are modular, and do come in pieces to be assembled during installation. SkyCeilings are installed in modular, 'hung' ceiling grids (which we supply only in circular or elliptical SkyCeilings). There are 3 types of components in a Luminous SkyCeiling: (1) The Luminous SkyTile Elevators set into each space in the ceiling grid; (2) the Luminous SkyTiles set into the top of the Elevator, one per Elevator; and, (3) the lighting troffer (light box housing and lamps). An Ambient SkyCeiling is composed of Ambient SkyTiles that are set directly into the ceiling grid. There are no Elevators or lighting systems included with an Ambient SkyCeiling although we can include fixtures and lamps for cove lighting - one of the most beautiful ways to illuminate an Ambient SkyCeiling. Can I install a SkyCeiling myself?It is very easy to install an Ambient SkyCeiling. Simply remove the acoustic tiles from the hung ceiling (if applicable), and replace them with the Ambient SkyTiles according to the supplied image map. A Luminous SkyCeiling needs to have the light troffers installed, wired and switched. If you are familiar with electrical wiring, this is a straightforward task. In commercial and institutional installations, a registered electrician does the installation. Installing the Luminous SkyTile Elevators and the Luminous SkyTiles is a matter of setting them into place. There are no fasteners, screws, or adhesives to deal with. Can I see the installation instructions before I order?Yes, instructions and other technical documents related to our products are available from each of the individual product pages.
What is the 'SkyMobile'?The SkyMobile is The Sky Factory's gallery on wheels, traveling North America to bring you an authentic experience of nature through our Luminous SkyCeilings™ & Luminous Virtual Windows™. In the SkyMobile you'll see how beautiful illusions of nature can transform confined spaces, as well as increase user productivity and comfort. Click here for more information about the SkyMobile. Are your products 'green', is the Sky Factory a 'green' company?The Sky Factory is concerned about all "quality" aspects of its products including their energy efficiency and the sources and environmental impact of materials. We are also active in our response to environmental concerns - recycling, reducing carbon emissions, attending to water and air quality and other areas generally associated with a 'green' approach to business. The lighting systems used in our products are energy efficient T-5 fluorescent and LED technologies. We use aluminum and packing materials that have high recycled content. The company diligently recycles all waste materials. Even so, we are not satisfied with our present use and sources for such elements as acrylic polymers. We have established a non-profit institute "Iowa Atmospheric Research Institute Inc." to help fund environmental research and the Company has actively committed to opposing CAFO (hog factory) proliferation - in large part because of their devastation of the environment and negative impact on human and animal health. We are currently in the process of designing a new building to house our business and production facilities. We are aiming for a zero carbon emissions building that will employ day-lighting, solar and wind electrical generation, passive solar heating and cooling, and other strategies to allow us to be as 'off-the-grid' as possible. We know that building conventionally would cost us considerably less, but the threat of global-warming and the end of the era of oil is fast approaching, making it incumbent upon us to take long strides towards alleviating the strain on our resources and the environment in general. |
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