If you’re thinking of installing a skylight, you may also be thinking about attempting it yourself. There are many parts of the home that can be excellent DIY projects for you and the whole family. However, a skylight really shouldn’t be one of those projects.

When installing a skylight, there are many things you need to consider first. Some points may not even come to mind until it is too late. Once you begin the installation process, you usually cannot go back.

You’re best to leave installing a skylight to the professionals. Here are a few reasons why.

 

Finding the Right Skylight

The first step of finding the best skylight for your home can already be difficult. There are many different types of skylights available, and many of those have various features. When it comes to a skylight, it is not a whole-size-fits-all. There are some that may be suitable for your roof, and some that could do a lot of damage.

When picking a skylight, you must consider factors like the weather, ventilation, the shape, size, and if your roof can handle a skylight. Determining the right size can be quite challenging.

Proper Placement

When installing a skylight, you do not just plop them into the roof wherever you want. You must carefully plan out the placement before installing. Placing a skylight can not only damage your roof, but it could let in more light (and heat) than you hoped for.

You need to include things like the rafters, chimney,s vents, attachments, and anything else that could obstruct the skylight. The age of your roof is also something to consider too. If you installed a skylight in an area that is ageing, the roof may not be strong enough to handle the installation.

Installation Can Cause Damage

Improper installation can weaken and damage your roof. If the roof of your home is weak, you are putting your family at serious risk. Even the smallest error in the installation process could do thousands of dollars in damage.

You need to remove a portion of the shingles to start the installation process. If you do not remove the shingles correctly, that right there can cause unwanted damage. You’ll end up spending more money having to replace the shingles.

Having a tight seal around the skylight is crucial. If there is a gap along the seams or anywhere around the skylight, there are many things that could go wrong. For one, if it starts to rain, you are bound to have water leaking into your home. You will also have a draft in your home, which will either cost more money to heat your house in the winter or cool it in the summer.

 

When it comes to installing a skylight, you are better off hiring a professional to do the job. There are many aspects to the installation, and missing one step could cause serious damage to not just the skylight, but to your home as well.

Avoid having to spend more money because something went wrong. Call us today for all of your skylight questions.

Are you looking for new ways to bring natural light into your home? A skylight might be what you need. Installing a skylight helps to brighten up a space, especially small rooms, and can completely change the feel of the area. In the evening, a skylight can take a dull, dark place, and give you a breathtaking view of the night sky above.

Skylights can be useful in other ways besides brightness and changing the atmosphere. They can also help reduce utility costs in your home. In the winter months, the skylight lets the natural sunlight in which will help keep the room warm. Also, because of how much light they bring in, you could have enough natural light that you wouldn’t need to turn on artificial lighting.

If this all sounds good, it may be time to think about a skylight. However, before you buy, here is a guide to help you make the best decision for you.

Types of Skylights

When it comes to skylights, there is no one-type-fits-all deal. There are multiple types, including various sizes and styles. Knowing what type of skylight is best for each room could help make the installation process run smoother and save you money from having to replace it.

There are three main types of skylights commonly installed:

• Fixed – these do not open up or provide ventilation. They are installed in hard to reach places to provide additional lighting and dramatic views of above.
• Tubular – these skylights work great in tight and enclosed spaces.
• Vented (Roof Window) – as the name suggested, this is a skylight that opens like a window. Typically, a vented skylight is best suited for rooms that require extra ventilation, like a bathroom or kitchen, to remove excess moisture.

Type of Material

You also want to consider what the skylight is made out of. Skylights are glazed with a variation of plastic and glass material, either done in a single, double, or triple glazing. The most economical material is plastic. A plastic skylight is quite sturdy. However, the plastic can turn yellow over time unless there is a special preventative coating applied. Plastic skylights also let in more UV rays than others.

There is the option of a glass skylight. Going with this option will be more expensive than plastic, but a glass skylight does provide a more elegant look. A glass skylight is usually scratch resistant and is quite durable and long-lasting. However, if you live in an area that is susceptible to large snowfalls or hurricanes, you’ll want a special glass used.

There is also the option of adding a solar-heat control glaze to the skylight. It helps make it more energy efficient.

Know the Ratings

A skylight will have a rating for heat loss, UV blockage, solar heat gain, the percentage of light transmitted. Pay attention to the following numbers on a skylight:

• U-Value: this measures the heat flow through the skylight. If the skylight has a low U-value, it is better at resisting heat
• R-Value: this measures the insulation value of the skylight. The higher the R-value that means the skylight is insulated better.
• Shading Coefficient: this means the solar heat gain. A low shading coefficient will mean there is a lower solar heat gain through the glass.
• UV Blockage: this is the value in which the glazing blocks UV rays from the sun.
• Visible Light Transmittance (VLT): this measurement shows how much light is let in. A high VLT means plenty of natural light.

Chances are you’ve lived in a place, or went on a vacation to a cabin that had a skylight. Those windows built into the roof of the home that let in sunlight during the day and reveals the starry sky at night. Skylights are beautiful when installed correctly.

Installing a skylight is a bit of an investment. They may be pricey at the start, but there are many benefits afterwards. Many will ask if it is worth the investment of installing a skylight – we’re here to help answer that question.

 

The Upside of a Skylight

First, let’s look at why skylights are worth the investment. To help you make an informed decision, you want to see the whole picture. Consider the following points:

Allow In Natural Light

One of the main perks of a skylight is the amount of natural light they bring in. The window looks towards the sky, usually with nothing blocking its path. All you get is beautiful, natural light.

Skylights work great for lighting up small spaces. For example, a bedroom closet, bathroom, or any room that doesn’t have window access would benefit from a skylight. A skylight in the bathroom allows you to brighten up the space while still giving you privacy.

Ventilation

Not all skylights open up. However, if you install one that does, it will provide you with ventilation into the room. Allowing in fresh air can help cool off a hot room in the summer. Alternatively, adding in a skylight that opens to the bathroom allows for the humidity and condensation to escape.

Pleasing to the Eye

Even if you install a basic skylight that doesn’t open up, they are still beautiful to have. A skylight is aesthetically pleasing and can really change the atmosphere of a room. Give the feeling of the space being larger than what it is by opening up the roof a bit with a skylight.

Turn Off the AC/Heater

A strategically placed skylight can benefit you by not having to use the central air or heat. In the summer months, open up a skylight to allow the cool air from outside to flow in. In the winter months, a skylight will let solar heat into the room, warming it up without flicking a switch.

The Downside of a Skylight

There are a few downsides to installing a skylight. Once you know everything, you can then decide if a skylight is suitable for your home.

Pricey

As mentioned, skylights are an investment – they can be pricey to install. They do require maintenance to ensure they are sealed off properly. However, it is up to you to see if the initial cost is something you can afford.

Leak Potential

Just as a regular window can leak, so too can a skylight. If a skylight is not installed properly, there is the chance that rainwater could leak through the seams and into your home. Water can damage the interior of the house, leading to a mess and having to spend more money.

 

In the end, going with a trusted company to install your skylight will help prevent any damage to the house and water leaking through, which will save you money in the long run. Installing a skylight does have many perks that can take your home to the next level.