Are you thinking of adding a skylight to your existing home or installing on in your newly built house? There are a number of different considerations to consider before you take the plunge. Skylights offer a vast array of benefits, but they also come with a unique set of challenges as well. Before you decide to put in a skylight or what type to get, make sure you are aware of all the ins and outs of this fun household addition.
The Pros Of Skylights
First let’s talk about the potential upsides to having a skylight or two in your home.
- Added light – skylights can potentially save energy bills in interior rooms that have no side windows, such as bathrooms and attics. This can help you save on your energy bill over time as you won’t need to turn the lights on.
- Added warmth – skylights can allow rooms to warm up in cold winter months, potentially saving on heating bills.
- Ventilation – skylights that you can open can allow for ventilation, this is especially true in attics that have been converted into bedrooms or offices.
- Improved resale value – let’s face it – adding some nice skylights can improve the look, feel, and eventual resale value of your home.
- Added space – adding windows always opens up a room and makes it feel bigger and less confining. This can be especially true for skylights.
- Added views – if your home is in a lush forest or mountain area, adding a skylight to improve your view of the tree canopy or mountains is a great way to give your home a natural feel.
The Cons Of Skylights
Of course, with anything there are always downsides. Let’s take a look at what can go wrong with skylights.
- Too much heat – if you live in a warm climate with strong sunlight, adding a skylight could potentially make your home very hot in the summer months. Shades can help, but windows still allow in quite a bit of solar heat.
- Expensive – adding a skylight can be expensive. You will need to ensure that it is done right.
- Leaks – a skylight that is not installed properly can potentially leak, causing water damage.
- Positioning – positioning a skylight is an important task that takes a lot of consideration. Poor positioning can lead to issues such as too much heat or not enough light.
Types Of Skylights
Fixed Skylight – fixed skylights do not open. They can be a variety of shapes, such as bowed or flat.
Ventilated Skylight – these types of skylight open up, generally at one end like a door via a crank. Ventilated skylights can also have electric openers that you can operate with a switch.
Custom Skylight – what is your dream skylight? Skylights can be custom built, however it can be quite expensive.
Ridge Skylight – ridge skylights are on the ridge of the roof and follow the shape of the roof in an arc.
Pyramid Skylight – these skylights extend out from the roof in a pyramid shape. These are typically seen more in commercial buildings rather than homes.
