Skylights are a great way to bring natural light into your home, but with so many different types of roof windows to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. This article will provide you with 5 tips to help you make the right decision when choosing skylights for your room. We’ll discuss glazing options, installation requirements, the advantages and disadvantages of different types of skylights. By following these tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect skylight for your room.
Installation
The proper placement of your skylight is crucial to help assure that the right quantity of light illuminates the area at various times of the day. Additionally, it is essential for you to thoroughly inspect the roof structure. Along with all electrical wiring as well as any ductwork that is located in the roof space that could interfere with the skylight. Skylights in bedrooms require some type of shading or dimming solution to keep light that is coming into the room so early during the summer season. A skylight can only function properly when is in a room located either directly under the roof or under an unfinished attic. In case you would like to place a skylight inside a room with an attic, it is necessary to construct a light shaft through the attic.
Make a budget plan
If there is no budget plan, all kinds of home renovations can become a catastrophically high price. For this reason, one of the most important considerations of all projects is budget planning. This plan should include a breakdown of all estimated costs, such as labor, materials, and any additional expenses. Once the budget is set, it is important to stick to it and avoid going over budget. Taking the time to create a budget plan will help ensure the project is completed in a timely and efficient manner, without any unexpected expenses.
To get an approximate idea of what your remodeling budget should be, consider the value of your home as a whole. So if your home is worth $400,000, you’ll want to limit your budget for a single room remodel to no more than $40,000. If you have multiple rooms you want to remodel, then you should adjust the budget accordingly. Consider the size of the project and the amount of work you’ll need to do. As well as the quality of materials and finishes you want to use. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of permits and labor, which can add up quickly. Finally, make sure to factor in a contingency fund for unexpected costs or delays.
Select the correct skylight size and shape for you
When installing a new skylight, typically the reaction of a customer is that they either would like it to be bigger or to have added some extra ventilation. The form of your skylight can strongly affect the overall design theme of your home. Shapes that are square or rectangular may make the exterior appearance of a room more complex if used for a more fashionable home. Curved staircase may be accepted by a circular skylight.
Remember that due to the structure of the building, a center-mounted skylight cannot be installed in every room. Tubular skylights, for example, may be placed in an “off-center” position and reduce the visual effect of it. Be sure to pick a shape that will express your home décor. It will give a distinctive and unique aesthetic appeal! A lantern or pyramid-shaped skylight will let natural light enter a home site. It can be an appealing extension of the roofline. All you should consider is the issue of planning permission and maintenance because they are sitting on a rooftop and are not flush.
Skylight Upstands
Skylight Upstands represent the frames on which skylights sit. Their role is to help ensure that your new skylight is a great match and will endure for the longest period of time possible. You may think it sounds odd. However, getting an upstand made independently from the skylight is the best way to go. It will enable the correct fitting of the roofing membrane in advance of the skylight installation. More importantly, it will ensure the proper slope. It should allow water drainage and that the proper height is reached to meet building standards. At the same time, this ensures that in the event that the skylight requires repair or replacement at some point in the future, regardless of the reason, the roof will not be damaged. For the reasons stated above, it should avoid skylights with integral upstands. When it comes to a pitched roof, there is a wide range of things that you’ll have to consider. You can learn more in our article How to Choose Between Flat & Pitched Roof Windows.
Glazing
The supply of skylights can be moulded acrylic (Plexiglas) or polycarbonate domes. Alternatively, they come double-glazed in glass or triple-glazed using Low-E insulating glass. Low-e represents an invisible microscopic layer on the inner surface of the glass pane. It serves to block infrared heat while enhancing the skylight’s insulation characteristics. Glazing plays an important role when considering energy efficiency.
It is important to choose a product that has the minimum u-value (which is the glass’s capability to keep warmth in the room). Other important specifications are the minimum solar heat gain coefficient (which is the SHGC – the glass’s capability to prevent solar heat from penetrating into the room) and the maximum visible light transmittance (VT) when choosing an energy-efficient skylight made of triple-glazed glass.
As a conclusion
Overall, skylights are a great addition to any room. A new skylight installation may totally transform the nature of a room. It provides light, a spacious feel or a sense of high style. Skylights can help boost your home’s natural lighting and can make a room feel more spacious and open. A skylight may save money as well. Consider the size, layout, orientation, energy efficiency, shape and cost of the skylight before installation. This way you can be sure that the skylight is the perfect fit for your home.
