Adding skylights to a home can transform how your interiors feel. Whether you want to install them in your garage, attic or conservatory, they can make a massive difference. The amount of light they allow into your rooms is enormous compared to conventional windows, flooding spaces with natural light in a way that’s hard to describe.
The Benefits Of Skylights
The benefits of skylights are considerable. Here’s what to expect:
Increased Home Value
Adding skylights to your home increases its value substantially. Placing them sensibly can increase the market value of your property and help it appeal more to people who might want to buy it.
Energy Savings
You can all use skylights to generate energy savings. Installing windows on the roof allows for more light in the winter, helping to provide a small amount of natural heating that could raise the temperature on your thermostat by a couple of degrees.
Airy Feel
You also get an airy feel when you install skylights. The whole space feels brighter and more welcoming, perfect for bedrooms or spaces where you want to entertain guests. Natural light comes flooding in, filling rooms and helping you feel happier and more productive, especially in the winter.
What To Consider When Installing Skylights
Skylights come with many benefits. However, you’ll need to think carefully before you call a roofing contractor. There are several factors you’ll need to consider. These include:
Where You Will Place Them
While most roofs can accommodate skylights, some can’t. Therefore, you may have to think carefully about where you place them.
Steep roofs are the most amenable to skylights because they often have preexisting structures and scaffolds that can support these windows. Shallower or flat roofs may require more building work to keep them in good condition.
The Type Of Skylight
You’ll also want to consider the type of skylight you install. Units aren’t identical to each other.
Fixed skylights are more affordable than other versions, but you can’t adjust them in the summer. These units can be good for when you have an air conditioning unit, but they don’t allow you to create a breeze (you’ll need to use regular windows for that).
By contrast, retractable skylights are the most versatile and convenient. However, these units are the most expensive and often require you to do electrical work, too. (Opening a skylight by hand isn’t fun).
The Material
When choosing skylights, you’ll also want to consider the most appropriate material, including any additional coatings for rain control and making units leak-proof. Some skylights are double-glazed, helping them retain the heat. Others have safety features, like lamination, preventing shards of glass from falling on occupants below in the unlikely event the glass shatters.
Permits
Finally, it is worth checking local building regulations and permits. While restrictions on installing skylights are usually minimal, there may be specific covenants in your area, or bans on installing non-period features if you own a protected building.
Don’t expect adding skylights to be inexpensive. However, they can improve your quality of life considerably.
