A skylight is a perfect way to let in natural light and warmth into a room. These roof windows create an airy atmosphere and they brighten up dark rooms without the need for electricity. There are myriads of skylights Sydney service providers can install for you. But what should you know before installing your ceiling window?
In today’s article, we’re giving you seven tips to remember before you get your skylight installed. Continue reading if you want to know the importance of quality, placement and installation options.
1. The Quality of Your Skylight is Everything
There are several aspects to consider when installing a skylight. A quality skylight has these features:
- It’s waterproof
- Soundproof
- Energy efficient
- Load and wind resistant
- UV resistant
- Has strong flashing
- Durable construction material
It’s important that your skylight has all of these features before you buy it. The quality and structure of the skylight will ensure the longevity of the ceiling window. Your skylight must be an economical purchase that won’t cause unnecessary repair costs in the long run.
2. Where Would You Like to Place the Skylight?
The purpose of skylights is to illuminate a room with natural light. Therefore, the location of your skylight is crucial. It is typically installed directly under a roof—in an attic or first floor of a double story house. The skylight should then be installed at a slope between 5° and 15° higher than your latitude.
When installing a skylight, consider the direction you’d like to position it. Depending on the direction you select the skylight can provide year-round illumination or shade during certain parts of the day. If you want more shade, then install it in a roof that has ample tree coverage.
3. Select a Skylight that Fits Your Roof
Some roofs aren’t designed for skylights. The structure of your roof must be able to support the unit. Before opting for a skylight installation consider what frame your roof has. There are two types of roof frames:
- Truss framed roof: These are triangular wooden frames that support a roof. To install a skylight, part of a roof needs to be cut. Therefore, this type of frame isn’t ideal for skylight installations because they can’t be cut after they’re built.
- Stick framed roofs: This type of roof is structured with rafters that are 4ft apart. These roofs are ideal for skylight installations because there’s ample space between the rafters to install a ceiling window.
4. How About Ventilation?
Did you know that some skylights provide light and ventilation? There are skylights that are fixed and on the other hand, there are ones that can be opened to let in air. However, fixed skylights are more energy efficient because they retain the heat inside your home.
If you have a room that has no air circulation and you don’t want to use an AC system, a ventilated skylight is the ideal option. You can open and close these ceiling windows using a crank or even a remote control. So if you have a stuffy dark flat, opt for a skylight that can open.
5. Select Other Materials for Glazing
Glazing is a light-transmitting piece that’s inside a skylight. Typically, skylight glazing is made with glass but there are other options to pick from. Skylights can also be made with plastic glazing which is more durable and lightweight than glass.
6. Skylights Need Regular Maintenance
One aspect that’s important to remember is skylights require regular inspections and maintenance. You must always check your skylight for cracks or leaks to ensure water doesn’t drip into the room when it rains. If the skylight is damaged and there are leaks it can cause mould growth. Get a professional to come and repair your ceiling window for you as soon as you notice problems.
Every month you should dust your skylight and every year it must be deep cleaned to remove residue, dirt & stains from the glass. A skylight can cause the formation of ice dams so ensure you install a water shield to prevent this from happening.
Keeping your skylight clean will prevent it from getting damaged and increases the longevity of the fixture.
7. Let the Professionals Do the Work
It’s important to let professionals install your skylight for you. This is because the installation process is incredibly complex, requiring the following:
- Correct measurements
- Removal of roof shingles
- Cutting a hole in the roof
- Modifying the roof’s frame to fit the skylight
- Installing skylight flashing
- Patching up parts to ensure a waterproof finish
To prevent leaks and a damaged roof, it’s always best to get a professional to do the work for you.
Final Thoughts
So now that you know a bit more about skylight installations, select the type you want and let a professional come & install the fixture for you. Then you can enjoy natural light all year round and save on utility costs.