Skylight Installation: Benefits & What You Need to Know

Skylight installation is one of the best ways to create natural lighting in your home. Natural lighting brightens your living space and can benefit your health, energy efficiency, and overall well-being. It is one of the most effective ways to make your home feel warm, spacious, and inviting.

Types of Skylights

A skylight installation involves installing a window on the roof of your home to allow sunlight to enter your home from above. The three most common types of skylights are:

• Fixed skylights: Stationary skylights that don’t open or close.

• Vented skylights: Skylights that can open to let fresh air in.

• Tubular skylights: Skylights that channel light through a reflective tube.

  
  

Skylights can come in various shapes such as flat, round, dome, or pyramid. Skylights also can come in various materials such as glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate.

There are custom features for skylights to improve energy-efficiency, ventilation, etc.

• Solar-powered skylights feature a solar panel to capture sunlight to power the opening & closing of a vented skylight.

• A rain sensor can be installed to automatically close the skylight during weather.

• Shading can be applied to better control light & heat

Benefits of Skylights

The following are a few benefits of skylights:

• Brighten dark rooms

• Maximize natural light in your home

• Decrease electricity use by increasing natural light in your home

• Help naturally heat your home in colder months

• Increase exposure to sunlight to boost mood, energy, & health

• Make your space look brighter and feel more spacious & inviting

• Highlight key areas in your home that you want to draw attention to

• Skylights provide a strong return on your investment

• Ventilated skylights can increase circulation & fresh air

Skylight Common Concerns

As skylight installers and skylight repair contractors, we understand the importance of seamless and precise installation to prevent leaks and other potential problems

Here are a few of the most common causes of skylight leaking:

• Improper installation with gaps or faulty seals

• Cracked, improperly sealed, or corroded flashing that seals the edges of a skylight

• Small cracks in the glass due to extreme weather or wear and tear

• Clogged drainage systems

• Damaged shingles surrounding the skylight

• Improper ventilation and insulation that causes condensation to form

Typically, skylights last 15-30 years depending on the weather & climate. If yours is older than that, it may be simply reaching the end of its lifespan with degraded seals, worn materials, etc. Fortunately, a skylight lifespan usually aligns with a roof lifespan. If you are getting your roof replaced, it is the perfect time for a skylight installation.

Skylight Maintenance

Skylights don’t require much maintenance. However, the following will help extend the lifespan of your skylight.

• Dust your skylight

• Inspect your skylight every so often for leaks

• Deep clean your skylight every year

• Keep your roof clear of snow & ice with to reduce risk of ice dams

When in doubt, schedule a professional inspection to look for any cracks, leaks, or structural damage.

Why PK Contractors

PK Contractors specializes in both roofing and window installation, thus making us your local skylight installation experts! Proper installation of skylight is important to prevent leaks and increase longevity. Proper skylight placement and orientation is essential for maximizing natural light and ventilation.

To determine which skylight is right for you, we will assess your needs, evaluate placement, consider your budget, and select the right materials. Let us help you bring more light into your home! 

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