If you need a little light in your life and home, a skylight is an excellent addition. Natural light can make a home feel more spacious, relaxing, and inviting while boosting your mood and promoting quality sleep. A skylight can benefit you and increase the property value of your home, but as with any major construction, there are a few things to consider before you make that decision.
Choose the Right Skylight for Your Roof
A skylight may look appealing in a home and garden magazine, but not all skylights are suitable for every roof. The roof’s construction must be built to safely support the addition.
Roof Structure Compatibility
For example, truss-framed roofs are made from prefabricated triangular units and are not designed to be cut after installation. Doing so can severely damage the structural integrity of the entire roof. Before starting any renovation, it is always in a homeowner’s best interest to be aware of their specific roofing architecture.
Strategic Location and Placement
The location also plays an essential role in deciding if a skylight is right for your home. The placement takes much more thought than what may initially come to mind. The positioning must account for which direction the sun rises and sets, and how much natural light you want in that specific room at certain times of the day. Also, take into consideration if you have any exterior obstacles that may block the sunlight, such as large trees or neighboring buildings.
Managing Heat and Energy Efficiency
It may seem obvious; we all know the sun is hot and radiates heat. But how much can a skylight actually warm up a room? On average, a standard skylight can increase a homeowner’s annual A/C bill by about $18. While that may not seem like a lot, those numbers do add up, especially during those hot summer days in Florida.
Fortunately, certain features and installation methods can directly affect your home’s temperature and significantly reduce heat transfer during the summer.
Features to Reduce Heat Transfer
Certain upgrades can be added to the skylight during installation to prevent excessive heat buildup:
- Skylight Shades: These act as interior blinds to help control the sunlight and temperature of your room on demand.
- UV Glazing: During installation, specialized skylight glazing can be added to the glass to reflect the powerful and damaging UV rays of the sun.
- Proper Sizing: The size of the skylight proportionate to the room is one of the most significant factors when it comes to heat. If you are unsure about what size skylight fits your home, talk directly to a professional who can guide you in choosing the perfect dimensions.
Why You Should Leave Installation to the Professionals
Even self-proclaimed DIYers need to step back when it comes to the installation process of a skylight. Almost all of the problems homeowners experience with skylights begin at installation and can easily be avoided.
Improper installation or the use of cheap materials can lead to severe roof leaks, cracks in the weather seal, or major roof ventilation problems. Every roofing project is different, so contacting a skilled contractor ensures you get the beautiful, watertight results you desire.
Ready to Brighten Up Your Home?
Are you looking to add a skylight to your home? Deciding if your roof is suitable, choosing the optimal location and size, and handling the overall installation can be stressful. Avoid the chaos and potential water damage that can arise from improper installation. Give us a call at (813) 643-8333 or contact us online to request a free quote today.
