All About Skylights

Skylights are an excellent addition to any home. Natural light has many proven health benefits for our minds and bodies. This light can make darker areas of your home brighter, cleaner, and even appear larger. When you add a skylight, you’ll need fewer lights and save money while saving the environment. Large windows in your home decrease your privacy, while a skylight can do the same thing without people being able to see into your home. Some skylights have can be opened and allow you to take advantage of good weather rather than running an air conditioner. Skylights can also increase the resell value of your home.

Installing Skylights:

The best time to install a skylight is when you’re re-roofing or installing a new roof on your home. While it is possible to install them on an existing roof, that takes more planning and someone experienced in doing so. You have two options for how skylights can be installed. Curb mounted: This installation requires a box for the skylight to sit on. When replacing your skylight in the future, these can be used without having to re-flash the skylight as long as the flashing remains in acceptable condition. Deck Mounted is a newer way of installing skylights. They have a lower profile and are factory-made for existing openings in your roof. Installing in this manner also increases energy efficiency.

Domed vs. Flat:

The dome-shaped skylights are highly effective on low-slope flat roofs. They prevent water from sitting on the surface of the skylight. These units tend to be cost-effective and relatively lightweight. These lights typically add more light compared to flat skylights. The curvature in the dome’s design allows it to bend the light from the sun and add just a little extra light to the room. These lights are generally made from acrylic and  can be triple layered to add extra insulation which leads to better energy efficiency.

Flat units are much more common for pitched residential units. These units do best when installed on a pitch of 2:12 or higher so that water does not collect on the surface. The design of these units allows them to seamlessly align with your roof and add a more modern feel. One of the biggest advantages of a flat skylight is the option to choose glass or acrylic. While acrylic is extremely durable and has the option to add layers for insulation, glass is extremely energy efficient as it can be completely sealed and therefore is better at keeping heat in during the winter, and keeping the heat out during the summer.

Placement:

You can’t just pick a random spot in your home for installing a skylight. You need to think about how the placement will benefit day-to-day living in your home. Placement will affect how much solar heat you get in your home if it is on the north-facing side of your home, and you will receive more natural light all year long. Using Skylights to your advantage to light darker spaces in your home should be taken into account as well. The size of the skylight will also determine where it can be placed, may need additional roof framing and has to meet building codes.

Leaking:

If you have installed your skylight properly, it will remain leak free for as long as the materials hold up. Make sure that you know the materials used in your skylight and any warranties that exist. Skylights usually begin leaking when the glass or seals fail and allow water to enter. We recommend having skylights inspected regularly and resolving issues before they cause more problems.

If you are looking for a reliable local skylight company, we recommend McGovern Skylights at 707-292-4570.