If you’re considering having an additional skylight for your house, but are not sure of the best decision. Similar to having your roof replaced or installing new gutters there are many factors to take into consideration.
As experts, we know the advantages and disadvantages of having skylights , and how to avoid the traps -in particular, by choosing the best equipment and approaching each scenario in the best interest of the homeowner in mind.
Each skylight installation is not identical because everyone takes them into consideration for various reasons. Perhaps you’d like to have more sunlight in your bathroom or bedroom? Or better ventilation? Perhaps you’d like to incorporate solar energy into the frigid interior of your home?
In either case, we’ll guide you through the most common benefits along with the objections and concerns that our customers have before installing skylights (or choosing to go another option).
Skylights are beneficial for many reasons.
Skylights and windows on roofs provide a variety of benefits to homeowners. They can improve the valuation (equity) for your property and can also resolve certain problems in cramped dark or cold rooms.
The sun’s rays can add light (and solar heat) to your living spaces
The most significant benefit of skylights is that they allow natural light in your home. Along with that light, you get the sun’s heat. What is the significance of that to you? Natural light has been proven to enhance mood and may even aid in the workplace to perform better. Also, heating your home with sunlight could reduce heating bills during colder months.
Injecting fresh air and better air circulation
Skylight windows are able to open up to let in fresh air. This can help with cross-ventilation in rooms that are too crowded, it refreshes the air and cools your living spaces, without activating the air conditioning.
Reduced energy costs (electric as well as heating)
As we’ve mentioned that sunlight can heat your rooms and cross-ventilation can help cool the space. All of these can help cut down on the energy bills (just ensure you install an air-tight skylight that includes the laminated glass!)
Cosmetic changes can increase the value of resales
The addition of skylights to your home’s decor can increase the value of your house, increasing the selling price and giving certain rooms an appealing natural light-filled atmosphere.
Views of nature and “adding the space” to an area
Like mirrors that are hung in the wall, adding skylights make the room “feel larger” and feel more large. Additionally, you will see the night sky or the natural world in the daytime.
Skylights’ disadvantages
Each cosmetic upgrade to your home can have negative consequences and skylights are not an exception. As experts who have put in numerous home skylights, we’re able to confirm that the majority of the problems stem from poor (or ignorant) choices made prior to the time the skylight is put in place.
Making investments in low-quality equipment with no solid warranties
The decision to place your skylight with no proper consultation
A service professional who is hiring a contractor without any experience in skylight installations
DIYing (no offence to the DIY-ers who are hardcore)
Cost to repair or replace an installation that is damaged
The list could be endless. However, many of these issues could be avoided by doing exactly the opposite: utilizing high-quality equipment, thorough consultation, and picking an experienced skylight expert to do the task.
If you’ve covered all your bases by making correct decisions (as previously mentioned) the negatives are a result of your particular circumstance. Here are some that you should consider:
The skylight can lose heat is a result of improper installation or is installed using poor quality equipment.
The skylight’s location can let excessive light or excessive heat in the daytime. This is why having a thorough consult is essential and you should put up the skylight in a location that is suitable for your needs and not let the natural benefits exceed your expectations.
The skylight’s features are not up to your expectations. Do you wish to operate the window from a distance? Do you want your windows to close at the moment of rain? These kinds of features are crucial aspects to consider (usually taken into consideration only after the fact!)
What happens if a limb of a tree hits the skylight, and smashes the glass? It’s possible, however it shouldn’t be a risky situation. We advise our customers to purchase laminated glass in the event breaking. The glass that is laminated is protected by a thin layer of film, which keeps the broken glass rather than shattering and falling onto the floor.
Do you need to buy skylights with deck or curb mounts?
There are two primary kinds of skylights that are available to purchase and install: Deck-mounted and curb-mounted.
The Curb Mounting requires an enclosure structure to place the unit on. When replacing a skylight the units can be used without having to flash the skylight provided that the the flashing system is in excellent working order.
The deck-mounted skylights have more modern style, and are lower in appearance due to the absence of a box structure beneath. They wrap around the roof and are thought of as to be more efficient in energy use due to this.