Many homeowners appreciate the value of skylights. Skylights enhance access to natural light, among other benefits. However, homeowners may be unwilling to install skylights because they don’t know where to place them. Successful skylight placement involves several crucial considerations, which can be accomplished with foresight.
The Benefits Of Skylights
A new skylight can transform a home, including the corresponding living space adjacent to the skylight. There are many advantages to installing a skylight:
A Means To Improve Roof & Attic Ventilation
A skylight may enhance ventilation. A high-quality skylight could offer features that allow fresh air to circulate freely, depending on the model.
A Strategy To Increase A Home’s Resale Value
Most prospective homebuyers place a premium on skylights. They offer an attractive indoor atmosphere. A seller can achieve a higher resale value when skylights are installed.
A Viable Plan To Maintain & Uphold Privacy
Some dwellings require maximum privacy, and adding a window may compromise that objective. Install skylights to preserve privacy while still allowing natural light into the home.
An Avenue To Maximize Energy Savings
Heating, cooling, and electrical costs continue to spike. An energy-efficient skylight may reduce this issue and curtail excess energy consumption.
An Effective Method To Enhance Ambiance
Your health and wellness depend on comfortable, inviting living spaces. A skylight provides improved sunlight, increasing your Vitamin D levels.
The Most Direct Way To Access Natural Light
Windows will offer enhanced natural light. However, no method provides a more efficient means to access direct sunlight than installing a skylight.
How To Install Skylights
An appropriate skylight selection and placement process by a reputable installer minimizes or eliminates the risk of adverse outcomes. If you are planning a roof replacement, take the following into consideration:
Angle The Skylight To Maximize Benefits
The tilt of the skylight impacts the amount of sunlight entering the home. An installer must angle the skylight accordingly to maximize sunlight exposure (brightness) and absorption.
Apply Sufficient Waterproofing Mechanisms
If a skylight is not installed correctly, air and water leaks are much more likely to arise. Add waterproofing over the skylight’s flanges and flashings to eliminate these issues.
Consider Corresponding Ventilation Needs
Customarily humid spaces (such as kitchens and bathrooms) require adequate ventilation to expel excess condensation. Install skylights that are ventilated to reduce moisture and humidity levels.
Ensure Appropriate Insulation Around The Skylight’s Frame
This consideration is often overlooked. If the installer fails to add the right amount and type of insulation adjacent to the skylight, ventilation problems are much more likely to occur.
Match The Skylight To The Roof Type
Every roof type (asphalt shingle, clay tile, wood shake, etc.) needs the proper skylight to ensure maximum performance. Not just any skylight will work on a given roofing material.
Properly Position The Skylight’s Orientation & Placement
A north-facing skylight offers less direct but more consistent sunlight. A south-facing skylight provides maximum direct sunlight but could generate excess heat buildup and UV exposure.
Select The Appropriate Skylight Size
A skylight’s dimensions (e.g., larger or smaller size) should closely correspond to the total floor area and volume of existing window coverage in the corresponding room.
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Risks Of Faulty Skylight Installation
Adding a skylight to your roof presents challenges if the roofing professional fails to install it correctly. As a homeowner, you may face the following issues:
Condensation Buildup
Ventilation must be appropriately regulated adjacent to a skylight to avoid condensation buildup. Without sufficient ventilation, condensation could form inside the skylight windows, increasing humidity and moisture levels.
Energy Inefficiencies
If a skylight is inadequately installed, you may experience excess heat loss in cooler weather and a surplus of heat buildup during warmer months. Consequently, you could unnecessarily incur increased heating and cooling consumption.
Moisture Intrusion/Roof Leaks
Poor installation may lead to flashing and sealant failure, which is the leading cause of water penetration. This issue is far more common when a homeowner involves an inexperienced or inattentive installer. Avoid this outcome.
Mold & Mildew Formation
Improper skylight installation could foster a spike in humidity or moisture levels, leading to mold or mildew growth. Once mold or mildew enters the home’s interior spaces, the homeowner must swiftly employ remediation measures.
UV Radiation Exposure
Lower-quality skylight systems (e.g., ones lacking UV-resistant glass properties) will allow excess UV radiation into the home. A reputable installer will incorporate window film and choose the ideal location to avoid excess UV exposure.
Finding A Skylight Installer
Identifying a qualified skylight installation professional requires due diligence. Not just any roofing company can capably add a skylight. A roofer must have the requisite knowledge and experience in selecting and installing the right skylight. Choosing the appropriate fit matters as much as the actual installation process.
Trico Exteriors offers homeowners exceptional skylight installation expertise in Charleston, SC. We closely analyze your home and roofing system to determine which skylight product makes the most sense. Our installers are trained and qualified to install any skylight. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.
