Skylights, those good-looking windows on your roof, are a great way to add natural lighting to a room, but there are some things you should know before committing to skylight installation.
Skylight repair in progress
In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of skylights as well as how to install them properly.
We will also cover some of the most common problems that people experience with skylights.
If you are considering skylight installation for your home, then this blog post is for you!
First, let’s do a quick rundown of the most common types of skylights:
In addition to the many types, skylights come in a plethora of shapes, including flat (square and rectangular), domed, half-barreled, even pyramid.
As far as which type and style to use for your home remodel, there are several factors that should be taken into account, all things being equal.
If you’re starting from scratch, that is, you don’t already have skylights in place, then available roof space and roof type would be the initial considerations. Do you have standard roof framing, and how is your roof structurally?
If you have a flat roof, fixed skylights may be the best option.
If you have a sloped roof, roof windows (essentially those that can be opened by different methods) may be the best choice for a skylight.
These are important distinctions because you must consider how water will approach and be diverted around them.
And then there’s the size of your budget, of course. Skylights can be expensive (and the upgrades likely worth it), but there are affordable options as well.
Skylight repair in progress
Generally, cost for a tempered glass skylight will run between a few hundred dollars and a couple of thousand, and there are plastic skylights, too, so you should be able to find ones that fit your needs while being budget-friendly.
Otherwise, here are some other elements that should be part of your new skylights game plan:
Damaged skylight
Roof and skylight needing repairs
As far as skylight installation, here’s a simplified version of how it’s done.
First, the area where the skylight will be installed is measured. Roofing in the area is removed, then an initial hole is cut into the decking.
Framing is then done, and the skylight installed into that roof opening. Flashing and other sealing measures are added around the skylight to protect it and your home from water damage.
Skylight installation in progress
Newly installed skylight
Flashing diverts the water around the skylight, and the sealant keeps things waterproofed.
Once everything is secure, the roofing is then replaced around the skylight. The roof shingles can be reinstalled with roofing nails.
So there you go. Undoubtedly, skylights can be an awesome addition to your home – from a practical sense for light, warmth, fresh air, and to provide indirect solar energy as well as for their aesthetic appeal and the potential value they can offer.
There is the good and bad to consider before making the jump, but all in all, skylights are a great thing.
As an experienced roofing contractor, Gunner has worked with all kinds of skylights over the years, and we’d be happy to use that experience to help you with any questions or decisions you have.