Skylights, also known as roof windows, roof lights, or daylight windows, can be a transformative addition to your home. They are a unique way to add more natural light to your space and reduce energy costs by providing warmth during winter and less reliance on artificial lighting year-round. Being a resident of Michigan, you know that the winter months can be long and gloomy. By allowing natural light and warmth into the home, skylights can help fight the winter blues.
If you are considering adding a skylight to your roof, you are most likely already aware of the many benefits they provide. This article goes beyond the bright idea of skylights and has been created to provide considerations a homeowner should be taking before having a skylight installed. We will start with the type of roof you have and move through what types and styles of skylights are available. There are many choices to be made about location, placement, size, material, and energy efficiency. Keep reading to find out what you need to know before installing a skylight and why choosing a professional roofing company for installation is the smart choice.
Understanding Your Roof: The Foundation for a Skylight
Your home’s roof will be the foundation for your skylight. Here are some things to consider about your roof when choosing the best skylight for maximum benefit and functionality.
Roof Type and Structure
What type of roof do you have? Is it flat, sloped, or pitched? The type of roof you have, along with the material it is made of, like asphalt shingles, metal, or composite, will determine what type of skylight will be best suited for your home. For example, flat roofs tend to pool water more than sloped ones and increase the chances of leaks, especially if installation is not performed correctly.
It is important to assess the condition of your roof and consider its age. The roof must be in good condition and able to handle the weight that the sky window will add to the roof. The integrity and strength of your roof must be intact to support a skylight.
Slope and Compatibility
The slope of your roof will be a determining factor in your skylight choice. Roofs with a slope greater than fourteen degrees are better suited for deck-mounted windows, while those with a slope less than fourteen degrees commonly have curb-mounted windows.
Consulting with a professional roofing contractor in Ludington is recommended if you are unsure of the slope and pitch of your roof and want to ensure your roof is compatible with skylight installation. They can also help you decide what style is best suited for your particular roof.
Skylight Types: Finding the Right Fit for Your Home and Roof
There are several different types of skylight choices available, along with different glazes and shapes of glass and plastic.
Fixed, Ventilated, and Tubular
Fixed skylights do not open or close, while ventilated skylights, often referred to as sky windows, open and close.
While ventilated sky windows allow for air circulation and moisture control, fixed windows are less prone to leaks.
Tubular skylights are best suited for smaller areas like bathrooms, closets, and hallways.
Flat Glass vs. Domed
Flat glass offers a more aesthetic look, blending seamlessly into the roof, while domed lights are made of acrylic and catch the eye. However, dome lights are lighter weight and allow more light into the interior of your home. Flat glass has a longer life expectancy and more choices of material, while domed lights are more prone to clouding and cracking over time.
Domed skylights may be better equipped for the Michigan winters due to their shape, allowing snow and rain to move off the window. They are usually better insulated, allowing heat to stay inside, and also more durable when coated.
Materials Matter: Glazing and Framing Options
The choice of material for your window, glass vs. acrylic, and the material you choose for the frame will impact many factors concerning functionality and aesthetics.
Glass vs. Acrylic Glazed Plastic
Glass offers more durability than an acrylic-glazed plastic window, along with greater scratch resistance, better clarity, and better light transmission. Plastic is lighter and less expensive than glass. Glass also comes in a variety of glazes.
In cold climates like Michigan, glass skylights should be double or triple-paned glass to maintain heat during the extreme cold.
Frame Materials
Options for framing materials include aluminum, composite, vinyl, and wood. Aluminum offers durability and is lighter weight, requiring less maintenance. While wood frames offer a more traditional look, they will require more maintenance. Vinyl is affordable and energy efficient but may not be as durable for extreme temperatures. Composite offers both the strength of wood and the low maintenance of aluminum.
Consulting with a professional will help you make the right choice for your home and roof based on your aesthetic preference and compatibility with your roof material.
Size, Placement, and Installation: Why You Should Use a Professional
Choosing the right skylight for your roof involves a multitude of factors. Having a professional roofer guide you through each decision helps to ensure the right light is installed for your roof and in the correct way, following all local building codes and requirements.
Picking the Right Size
The size of the skylight you choose is determined by the size of the room you want to light, rafter space, roof slope, and desire for ventilation and aesthetics.
Generally, most skylights should be between 5 to 10 percent of the entire room size.
Optimal Placement
The direction your roof is facing (north, south, east, or west) and the orientation of the room will affect how much light comes in, for how long, and also the heating and cooling of the room.
For optimal function, it is important to balance the amount of natural light received without overheating the room.
With UV coating, insulated glass, and energy-efficient designs, you still need to choose the most energy-efficient placement for your home.
Assessing the Roof Before Installation
It is important to assess the condition of your roof before installing a skylight. You can perform this inspection yourself or have a trusted professional do it for you.
If there are existing leaks, there may be weak spots that can affect the skylight performance. These potential weak spots can be detected during the inspection.
Assessing your roof before installation allows for time to correct the issues or install a new roof if necessary.
Proper Installation Prevents Leaks
It is most important for the skylight to be installed correctly. Waterproofing the window and performing proper flashing to prevent leaks is critical to make sure water cannot seep into the skylight.
Using an experienced roofing contractor can ensure that your new skylight has a weather-tight fit.
Why Using A Professional is a Smart Choice
The risks of installing a skylight yourself include (but are not limited to) leaks, energy loss, and structural issues. All of these problems will cost time and money to repair.
Hiring a professional roofing contractor or skylight professional not only gives you the peace of mind that your light is installed correctly, but you will also benefit from warranties, expert advice in choice, and quality assurance.
A professional will be aware of local building codes and make sure that manufacturer guidelines are followed.
Bringing Natural Light into Your Home the Right Way
Installing a skylight can be a great way to brighten your home, boost energy efficiency, and enhance comfort, especially during Michigan’s long winters. However, choosing the right skylight and ensuring it is properly installed requires careful consideration of your roof’s structure, materials, and slope. By consulting a professional roofing contractor or skylight professional, you can avoid common issues like leaks or loss of energy inefficiency while ensuring that your skylight adds lasting beauty and functionality to your home. Let the experts help you make the best decisions and enjoy the benefits of a perfectly installed skylight.
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