Here’s a truly “bright” idea: Add a skylight!
Let the sun shine in!
A skylight can add much-needed natural light (and in many cases, fresh air) to a room, especially one that has few windows – or none at all. It can also offer energy savings by reducing the amount of artificial light needed during the daylight hours.
When is the best time to add a skylight?
A routine roof replacement provides an excellent opportunity to install one or more skylights on your roof, as they can be easily integrated into the structure at that time.
However, a qualified professional can install a skylight at any time, as this work can usually be completed in a day or two, depending on the complexity of the project.
Since roof work can expose interior components of your home (and those performing the work) to the elements, non-emergency roof work is generally performed during the warmer/drier times of year.
If you’re not installing your skylight as part of a roof replacement, it’s a very good idea to have your entire roof inspected to ensure there are no hidden issues that could affect installation or become a bigger, more expensive problem later on.
Is a skylight right for my home?
There are a number of questions to ask yourself when considering a skylight installation, such as:
- How will the roof type/pitch affect installation options?
- What weather conditions (snow load, wind, rain, hail, ice, etc.) will my skylight be subjected to?
- How will exposure affect intensity of light? South = more direct sunlight; North = less direct sunlight
- Will it change heating/cooling needs in the room?
- Which options (ventilation, integrated blinds, glazing, UV coating, etc.) do I prefer?
- Would one or more Sun Tunnels (a tubular design that runs from roof to ceiling) work better for my home than a traditional skylight design?
Leave it to the pros
As is the case with other roofing work, skylight installation is best left to the experts. Aside from the installation itself, a contractor can offer valuable advice in terms of ideal location, size, and type – as well as aesthetic considerations (both interior and exterior). He or she will have the knowledge and experience to identify potential issues – such as plumbing, electrical or ductwork routing – before work begins.
It may be a tempting do-it-yourself project, but there’s always a risk of falls, not to mention the potential for expensive repairs if it should leak or otherwise compromise your roof and its associated structures. So play it smart and enlist the services of a qualified local contractor!
This article was awesome at explaining skylights. I really enjoyed reading the questions to ask yourself when deciding to use a skylight in a home. My husband and I are building a new home and are having a debate if skylights are worth it. This article was really helpful in giving us more understanding and reasons to why it would benefit us. Now we need to find a pro to put them it. http://www.skydome.com.au/skytube-ventilation
Thanks, Barbera! We always try to look at things from the homeowner’s perspective – not only to help inform them of the options, but also to ensure we offer service that fully meets their needs.