Skylights

Skylights in a home are excellent ways to add more natural light when you cannot put in an extra window along the walls. A skylight can brighten dark rooms as well as help cut down on utility usage as you can save money on your electricity bill. You also can use a skylight to add more ventilation to the home. There are several places great places in your home to add in a skylight.

Finished Attic Space

Many people finish an attic space to turn it into a spare guest room, bedroom, or sitting space. A skylight works perfectly in the attic since it’s the highest place in your home that mainly consists of the roof as you may not have available wall space to fit a window. You are able to bring natural sunlight into the house along with fresh air.

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After the winter, your skylights may look a little dirty and in need of repair. Before the spring sunshine and rain comes to visit your home, you want to get them clean and in working order. Here are a few ways to prep the skylights for spring:

Clean Skylights

Dirt, dust, and grime can get on the inside and outside of skylights. You do not need any heavy industrial cleaner. A simple mild soap and some water can help loosen the dirt and grime along the crevices and across the surface. To get the glass shiny, a mild glass cleaner that is non-abrasive and a soft pad works well for skylights.

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Having snow on the roof of your home typically is not a big issue. However, if you have skylights, you need to take some precautions and perform some winter preparation work. If skylights are not properly maintained, they could experience rotting, missing sealant, and damage flashing. Here are three tips to prep your skylights to minimize issues during the winter months.

Remove Debris

Debris left to collect along skylights may end up scratching the glass and damaging the framing. The debris can also hide problems that should be addressed immediately. Remove dirt, grime, leaves, broken branches, and other types of windblown materials from the skylights. Once the debris is removed from around or on the skylight, you will have a clear perspective of its condition.
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To add additional natural light into a room, a homeowner may decide to add in a skylight or two. Skylights come in varying styles, such as tilted, fixed, or as an escape window. You may also opt for a tubular window when wanting to add natural light to a space that does not have direct access to the roof.

Once you have the skylight installed, you want to ensure that it’s maintained in the best way possible to prolong its life. The average life expectancy of a skylight ranges from 8 years to 15 years, however, this timeline could shorten if a person ignores any early warning signs, as this may lead to serious issues that could further damage your roof.

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Skylights are a good tool to brighten up a dark home, but they are not right for everyone. As you consider installing a new skylight, there are some important considerations to think through before taking the plunge.

Heat Gain: Skylight Slope and Material

Slope refers to the angle of your roof. Slope can affect heat gain, making your house hot in the summer months and driving up your energy bills. To avoid unwanted heat gain, place skylights on a slope that is 5 to 15 degrees above your current latitude.

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Skylights increase the amount of natural light that floods into your home, which can boost your mood. The right maintenance can keep your skylights looking as good as new to capture every ray of light.

Skylight Frame

Most skylights have a wooden frame that is either natural wood or pre-painted. Either finish may be safely cleaned using a regular household cleaner. Dust and clean the frame whenever you complete other household chores. Every four to five years, treat the wood by removing the existing paint or varnish and applying a fresh coat.

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While skylights can be a great way to brighten a dark home, there are downsides. When skylights are installed or maintained incorrectly, they cause a range of problems. Discover the top concerns with improperly installed skylights and how to avoid them.

1. They let in too much light

If your home is a cave, you might be confused as to how too much light can be a problem. High levels of light beam UV rays into the home. These cause furniture fading. Light can create glares and cause the home to heat unevenly. If it feels like you’re in a sauna needing sunglasses to see, the skylight is in the wrong place. The best choice for skylight installation is a shady area that does not receive much natural light.

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