The construction industry is always looking for ways to better home designs. One of the trends gaining traction is allowing as much natural lighting into homes as possible. This is often achievable through the use of large windows. However, there’s a new addition to the techniques. This is the use of skylights. Instead of your roof finishing covering the entire surface area of your roof, you can install a skylight made of a transparent material such as glass. The transparent material will let natural light into your space.
Are you a homeowner looking to install skylights in your home? This article will assist you in the process by giving you factors to consider to ensure a smooth process. Read on for this insight.
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Cost
Cost is the deciding factor determining if you’ll enjoy the sky’s view from your home’s interior. You can’t install a skylight without money, hence the need to factor it in as you plan to do the installation. There are many costs associated with the final price you’ll pay for the process, both short and long-term.
One is the initial cost; how much does a skylight cost? The initial price for the skylight depends on its size and properties such as glazing. Even as you look for the best features for your skylight, you want to get the best deal. It’d help to compare the initial price of your preferred skylight across various vendors. Making the comparison will help you have a rough idea of the price you should pay on average. This prevents a vendor from taking advantage and requesting higher pay than necessary.
The other cost is installation. The more complex the process, the more you’ll pay the service provider. What affects installation complexity? One is the position of the skylight. If your roof is quite inclined, some providers will charge a higher rate due to the safety risks involved. The other determining factor is the size and design of your skylight.
The larger the skylight, the longer the installation will take, hence a higher price. Also, if you decide to install roof windows that you can open and close as you deem necessary, it’ll be more costly than a fixed skylight. This is because the roof window involves several steps, adding to the workload.
It’s also advisable to factor in maintenance and possible repair costs in the future, especially if other factors affect your skylight’s performance. For example, you might decide to retain the overhanging leaves over your skylight for shade purposes. The leaves might need constant removal if they fall on your skylight. The impact of the leaves during strong winds might cause the glazing to break, necessitating repair services.
Once you gather all the short- and long-term costs, it’s time to factor in your budget. Is the final figure within or beyond your budget? It’s best to remain within budget to prevent potential financial strain.
Location
The location of your skylight is everything in your home. It determines how well you’ll enjoy the outside sky view. Wrong positioning won’t make you get value for your money.
One aspect surrounding location is your use of a room. If you aim to bring in as much natural light as possible, consider placing your skylight at the center of the said room. Suppose you only want a given section such as your bed to get the view. Place the skylight strategically above your bed.
The other aspect is the outdoor surroundings of your skylight. Are there trees hovering above the skylight? Are there tall buildings in the vicinity? These aspects are likely to interfere with the amount of light that finds its way into your home. If possible, install the skylight somewhere clear of obstructions. You can decide to cut off the hanging branches for the hovering tree.
As you make this decision, you should consider the climate in your area. Suppose you experience extremely high temperatures most of the year. The tall building’s shadow and the leaves can provide shade, preventing excessive sun in your home.
The location of your doors and windows should also determine where you position your skylight. None should overpower the other. Use the skylight to provide light to areas where the windows and doors don’t provide light. This will illuminate your space and add to its beauty.
Energy Efficiency
Today, most of the population is looking to conserve the environment by ensuring they don’t negatively affect it in whatever they do. For a homeowner looking to conserve the environment through energy efficiency, a skylight can assist you in achieving this.
Consider getting a double-glazed or tempered skylight. The double glaze will prevent heat loss through the glass; the outdoor temperatures will remain outside with the indoor remaining inside. Also, it’d be an advantage to buy skylight glazing with argon gas between the two glasses. It adds to the skylight’s insulation property.
With this type of skylight, you won’t need to invest in insulation in your home. Even if you do, you don’t have to go all out with the appliance’s features. You’ll get an appliance whose properties will just supplement the existing insulation from the skylight.
However, it’s good to point out that the insulation you’ll receive also depends on the installation. Poor installation will lead to leaks, the source of heat loss or gain.
Conclusion
Deciding to install a skylight in your home is a process that requires adequate planning. It’s the only way the project will be a success and the only way you’ll enjoy the sky’s view from your home. The discussion above has given you things to consider during this process. Be sure to implement them, and you’ll also enjoy the perks of a skylight in your home.
