If you are thinking about making some remodeling changes to your home in order to improve energy efficiency and brighten up your interior, roof skylights are definitely a wise and worthwhile consideration. Not only do they help maintain indoor temperatures, keeping it warmer in the winter and cooling in the summer, they also add more natural light to the main living quarters of your house AND make rooms appear larger.
When it comes to roof skylights, the first step is contacting a licensed roofing company to have your roof inspected. They will determine whether or not your roofing system is a good candidate for skylight installation, and provide estimates and recommendations for the best course of action for your particular property.
Your next step will be another highly important one: choosing the right skylights for your home. There are several options to choose from on the market for residential properties, but there seems to be three central types that take the lead in terms of consumer popularity. These are tubular, ventilating, and fixed skylight systems. Below you will find the most evident pros and cons to each system, which may help you make a decision for your home.
Tubular Skylights
Tubular systems are well-suited for smaller rooms and spaces that need some broadening and brightening. Areas like hallways, closets, and pantries are common for tubular roof casements since they are not directly connected to the roof. They take light from the roof and send it down a reflective pipe that leads straight to the skylight in the ceiling. The most noted advantages are that they are cheap, easy to install, and can be installed in almost any room of a house. They are also the type that is least prone to water leaks and least likely to affect indoor room temperature. However, they provide the least amount of light and do not have exterior view capabilities.
Ventilated Skylights
Also known as roof windows, these open up on a hinge, so homeowners can let in outdoor air and light at their own discretion. There are various styles of ventilated systems you can choose from, including flat, domed, arched, or pyramid. The most admired benefits are that they bring in a lot of natural light, allow for ventilation, and are easy to clean. They can even be installed in vaulted ceilings with electronic operation. On the other hand, they are more disposed to leaking and can be quite complicated to install. They happen to be the most expensive option out of all three discussed in this article.
Fixed Skylights
Very similar to ventilated systems, fixed skylights come in all sorts of styles and sizes. However, they do not open up. They do offer a lot of natural light and outdoor views, as well as, increased energy efficiency in the winter. Although they do not offer ventilation, they are durable and easy to maintain. When it comes times to install your new skylights, be sure to hire a skilled and reputable roofing company that is licensed, bonded, and insured. They can tell you which accessories works best with your property and your roofing system.