Skylights

Think of a skylight as a window in the roof. Thus, it lets in light to brighten and seemingly enlarge a room; but it can also let in unwanted heat, drafts, and even rain if the proper options for a skylight are not selected or if the skylight is not properly installed. Thus, although skylights come with installation instructions, wisdom dictates that your installation should be done by a qualified roofer or skylight contractor.

Selecting the Material of a Skylight

The first two things you'll need to know in selecting a skylight is whether your roof is slanted/sloped or flat (as the skylight styles differ per roof style) and whether you want plastic or glass in your skylight. If cost is a major consideration, plastic will be more attractive; and, of course, it's more durable than non-tempered glass. However, plastic is more easily scratched and has a tendency to become discolored over the years.

Selecting the Size of a Skylight

The next consideration is determining the best size of the skylight for your room. Skylights covering the roof in an office vestibule or entryway create a very warm, welcoming effect. However, too many skylights, or one too large for the room, can be a problem. The rule of thumb for a room that already has a lot of windows is that a skylight should not impact more than five percent of the floor space. You can go up to 15 percent of the room's floor if there are no, or not many, windows. Remember that too much additional light from installing skylights that are not the proper size may also cause your furniture, flooring and wall décor to fade sooner.

Selecting the Type of Glazing or Tinting of a Skylight

Just like wall-type windows, skylights are now available in glass that is insulated, or glazed or tinted, to help prevent too much sunlight from entering the room. Remember that the placement of your skylight (facing north, east, south or west) will also reduce or increase the heat, just as with a wall-type window.

Additional Skylight Options and Considerations

Today, there are several important options for skylights. You may want to purchase blinds and shades to help control the amount of light and heat coming from the skylight. Depending on how close the skylight is, you can choose shades that open or close manually or electronically. Some electronic models also have automatic sensors that automatically open or close the shade without your intervention. In addition, there are electronic controls that open a skylight to provide fresh air and then automatically close the skylight when it senses rain. If you live in a region that is subject to storms and hail, you'll also want to choose a skylight with a hail-proof guarantee.

By Kathleen Goolsby