Skylight Surrounds Built for Gator Heat and Humidity

The Goal: A High-Quality Finish That Works Hard

The zoo’s alligator and crocodile habitats are split into two exhibits, and each has a skylight above it that can open when outside conditions are right. That puts the surrounding space in full view of guests.

“This area is unique because it needs to be functional but also aesthetic. These skylights are front and center for our visitors when they look at these exhibits, so we needed a material that would be durable but also look good,” says Nathan Decker, Vice President of Construction and Planning at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium.

The zoo needed one material that could handle the practical demands of the space and still look polished from the visitor side of the glass.

The Challenge: Heat, Humidity and an Open Sky

These exhibits are designed to stay warm and humid year-round, and with skylights that open, the finish around them faces more than interior conditions alone.

“Our main goal was to have a product that could stand up to all kinds of weather,” Nathan explains. “These exhibits need to stay hot and humid all year long and in addition to the interior conditions, these skylights open.”

That combination of heat, humidity, moisture and direct sunlight narrowed the field. As Nathan puts it: “With the skylights having the ability to open, we needed a product that could also stand up to direct sunlight, high heat and humidity, and moisture.”

Location raised the stakes. The material surrounds the skylight openings in a hard-to-reach area, so the zoo needed a finish that would last rather than one that would call for frequent attention.

The Solution: White Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard as a Skylight Surround

The zoo worked with its architect to find the right fit. “We worked closely with our architect to find a product that would be durable and look good. They came to us with this product because it met all the requirements.”

That product was Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, a rigid PVC wall and ceiling panel system built for spaces with heavy moisture and cleaning demands. The panels are waterproof, with a non-porous surface that resists mold and mildew. They are impact-resistant and easy to clean, with no painting or sealing needed. Interlocking tongue-and-groove edges hide the fasteners for a clean, finished look, and the panels are lightweight, available in 16-inch widths and lengths up to 20 feet.

At the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, the white panels were installed horizontally as a skylight surround around each opening, with Snap-In H Trim covering the panel joints for a tidy finish.

For Nathan, the decision came down to the full list of needs. “Trusscore ultimately checked all the boxes for us. We needed a product that was durable, looked good, and would last.” With the panels in a hard-to-reach location, long-term performance was a priority.

Installation went smoothly. “The contractor did not seem to have many issues with the installation process. Once they got a few pieces up everything went quickly and they were able to provide a clean installation.”

The Outcome: A Brighter, Cleaner Space That Holds Up

With the exhibits finished, the white panels around the skylights give the space a clean look and put more daylight to work. “This product helped to add a clean finish to the area. It provides a lot of extra light into the space and seems to be holding up well to the environment.”

Nathan says he would recommend Trusscore to others with a similar project. “Trusscore has met our expectations so far, and I would recommend it for a similar installation.”