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.