The Benefits of Skylights
There's something about being inside a home but still being able to look up and see clouds. Installing skylights provides a unique view in a living space or bathroom, but skylights are much more than just a window to the sky.
Many skylights can also help ventilate areas in which they're installed, such as kitchens and bathrooms. This frees spaces of unpleasant odors, vents smoke in kitchens and allows steam to escape bathrooms, reducing the risk of mold and mildew.
Because skylights allow in so much natural light, they can brighten a room without the need for artificial lights. Skylights also make a room feel larger and can sometimes add to the value of your home.
Did you know installing skylights may also make you eligible for federal tax credits? Thanks to the energy-efficiency of skylights, your energy costs may be reduced. A skylight allows solar heat in during winter, helping to warm the room without using electricity.
Types of Skylights
Here’s an overview of the main types of skylights available today.
Fixed Skylights
Fixed skylights are designed to remain closed and are also the most leakproof. Because this type of skylight is relatively "no-frills," it's often less expensive than other types. Fixed skylights work best in a living room or bedroom in which you don’t need the option to open them.
Vented Skylights
A vented skylight's greatest feature is the ability to open it. If you want fresh air on a nice spring day, this skylight can let the breeze in. Vented skylights can be manual or automatic. If you're adding a bathroom skylight, this is the type you want to have so you can release steam and condensation as needed. It’s also the best type for kitchens.
Tubular Skylights
This type of skylight is just what its name implies: a tube with a transparent opening at both ends that fits into the ceiling. These lights range in diameter from 10 to 21 inches. While not the largest type of skylight, they do provide some light and aesthetic appeal. Tubular skylights work well in windowless rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or even large walk-in closets.
What Size Skylight Do I Need?
- When purchasing a skylight, consider the amount of natural light a room currently receives. If a room has several windows already, the skylight should be roughly 5% of the rooms floor size. If it's a room with few or no windows, the skylight should be up to 15% of the floor size.
- Rectangular skylights range in width from 14 to 72 inches and in length from 16 to 96 inches.
Where Should I Place My Skylight?
- It's important to consider the placement of your skylight. For example, if you place it facing south, the room will receive direct sunlight for much of the day. If you already live in a warmer climate, you might not want additional heat in the room.
- Think about what time of day you want the most natural light to come through. A skylight facing east will receive a good bit of light in the morning. If you have large trees around your home that may partially block light, you'll want to plan for that as well.
- Consider the physical placement of the skylight on the roof. Avoid locations where leaks are more likely to occur, like roof valleys and eaves.
Features to Look For
Here are some additional features customers consider when planning for a skylight installation.
Glazing
The material of the skylight is an important feature to think about when you’re planning to install one. Skylights are glazed with either a plastic or glass material. This glazing can be single, double or triple-coated. The least expensive material is plastic; however, plastic skylights allow more UV rays in than glass ones.
Glass skylights are more expensive but provide a better aesthetic. They're scratch-resistant and durable. You can also make your skylight more energy efficient by adding a solar-heat control glaze. Pay attention to the rating on the skylight you're installing. Each one is rated on its energy efficiency. High-quality glass skylights are filled with argon gas, which improves insulation.
Manual vs. Solar Powered
A skylight provides more than just natural light and a nice aesthetic. They help make your home more energy-efficient and are certainly worth considering if you're looking to add a unique feature to improve your home.
If you're looking for a vented skylight, you'll want to consider manual and solar-powered. Manual skylights can be opened using a crank and extension pole. Automatic ones work with a remote control and even have rain sensors that close the skylight automatically when bad weather expected.