Skylights & Springtime
With the promise of spring and warmer weather approaching, it can be tough to resist the urge to go outside and soak up some sunshine. But many homeowners find that there's no better way to bring this sunshine indoors than by installing a skylight. Learn more about the features and benefits modern skylights can offer to decide whether this is a good option for your home.
Common Skylight Features
Not all skylights are the same, which means that it's easier than ever to find one that provides the right fit for your home.
Some skylights primarily operate as a slightly-angled window in your ceiling, providing the same level of light and ventilation as any of your other windows. Others are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible, using reflective outer layers or heat-absorbing materials to prevent heat transfer into your home.
Some other common features of skylights include:
- Sun-tracking cylinders that provide the maximum light possible at all times of day
- Mirrored reflectors or "light pipes" that route light (but not heat) to the skylight
- Motorized or pneumatic controls that allow you to open, close, or angle the skylight with a remote control or even a smartphone app
- Moisture controls that will close the skylight if it starts to rain
By incorporating one or more of these high-tech advances into your home's skylight, you'll be able to seamlessly incorporate this sunlight into your household without adding too much heat or moisture.
Pros and Cons of Skylights
Skylights can have several home improvement benefits, but it's important to consider a few potential downsides before making your purchase. First, you'll want to ensure that your skylights are positioned and angled in a way that provides for maximum light entry without overheating your home in the summer. South-facing skylights tend to be the hottest and may need to be installed along with an outside shade or under some light-filtering trees.
But while you'll want to avoid skylights that are too bright, you should place your skylights at a steep enough angle to allow sufficient light entry. Otherwise, your skylights may let in less light during the winter, leaving your home feeling a bit chilly.
You'll also want to take care of during the installation process to consider your moisture control options. A leaky skylight can quickly cause significant water damage to your roof, ceiling, and floors. Your skylight needs to include a curb or some other protective shield that diverts water down toward your gutters. You can boost the water-resistance of your skylight by installing an additional layer of sheet waterproofing.
Whether you're just looking for a way to brighten up a drab living area or are interested in an entire home renovation, a skylight can provide multiple benefits. And at the Window Depot, our experts can work with you to determine the size, shape, and features that will suit your home the best. Visit our website to learn more about the wide variety of skylights and related products we offer.