Skylights

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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If your skylight is leaking, you need to work fast to prevent damage to the home. Here are five steps to take if you notice your skylight is leaking.

1. Verify it’s a leak, not condensation

Condensation can be similar to a leak, but is harmless. Verify that it’s actually a leak, not condensation. Condensation is likely when it’s a humid environment and may be reduced by using a dehumidifier. […]

A dirty skylight lets less light into the home than a clean skylight. Find out the best way to clean skylights so you can enjoy a well-lit home.

Know Safety Basics

Since skylights are installed out of reach, you’ll need a ladder to reach them. Take care when working from heights and use safety equipment to reduce the risk.

Before cleaning, read the instructions on any cleaning products you use, as well as any safety instructions for other equipment.

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Skylights are one of the best ways to brighten up a home that’s low on natural light, but one of the first questions most people have is “how much will this cost?” While skylights do have an upfront cost you’ll need to budget for, in many cases they often save you money over their lifetime.

How Skylights Save Money

Skylights aren’t guaranteed to save you money, but they can save you money if you understand how to position them and how to use them to reduce energy expenses. […]

Skylights brighten your home by allowing more natural light to come in, but sometimes the level of light can be too intense. During winter months, chilly air can leak in through the skylight while in the summertime, the extra heat can be unwanted. Skylight covering options provide the best of both worlds by allowing you to block light when you don’t want it. See below for some of our favorite skylight covering options.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades have a signature honeycomb design that prevents solar heat from entering the home. This keeps your house cooler during summer months; in winter, when you want extra solar gain, you can leave the blinds open. If your primary concern is insulation, this is the best type of […]

While skylights will increase the level of light in your home, they can lead to heat loss in wintertime. Learn how to reduce or prevent heat loss from skylights to conserve energy this winter.

Skylight Selection

Existing skylights probably suffer from energy loss, but the newest generation of skylights is more efficient. Replacing old skylights can reduce […]