Skylights

If you have a dingy hallway, a dark entry, or want natural light indoors without compromising privacy, a skylight can do the trick. As with an insulated window, a skylight can provide environmental benefits including solar heat.

Skylight, Sky Bright: Location is (Almost) Everything

Successful skylight depends on these considerations:

• Design: You'll want to choose a skylight that blends well with your home's design and decor. As a rule, a skylight's size should not exceed 5 to 15 percent of your room's area. The more windows in the room, the smaller your skylight should be.
• Installation: Faulty installation of your skylight can compromise indoor climate control, resulting in water leakage and harm to your window insulation. If you're not confident of your ability to install a skylight, it's best to have it professionally installed.
• Materials: A skylight is typically made of either glass or plastic. Although plastic is less expensive, it can scratch and dull with age and exposure. Glass skylight are tempered for durability and are not prone to scratching.
• Placement: Where you place a skylight is important, especially if you're installing a large skylight that can increase a room's temperature. Passive solar heat is produced by skylights depending on where they're positioned. Skylights placed on an eastern sloping roof provide heat gain in the morning, while a skylight facing west will provide heat gain in the afternoon.
• Slope: The slope of your skylight affects how much sunlight it will bring into your home. If you don't want additional heat, you can position a skylight where it's shaded by trees. In general, positioning a skylight at a slope of no more than 15 degrees more than your geographical latitude should provide enough light.

Unlike an insulated window, skylights can be prone to leakage. Asking questions and checking references for installers can help ensure proper installation and enjoyment of your skylight.

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