Glass skylights can add instant warmth to any room. The gentle light filtering in through the skylight, popular as a roof window, adds a touch of coziness to the interiors. These also provide good ventilation especially in tightly closed spaces like a bathroom or a kitchen. The sunlight combined with the ventilation adds freshness to a room.
Installing a skylight instantly raises questions in a homeowners mind. Will installing it interfere with the construction of the house? Will it cause damage like a roof leak? The answer to all of the above questions is quite simple; hire an experienced contractor and you will not have to worry about damage and leaks.
Types of Skylights
There are primarily two kinds of skylight.
01. Fixed Skylights
A fixed skylight is a permanent fixture. The skylight is sealed tight during the manufacturing process. Installing a fixed skylight ensures virtually no leaks. In the rare cases where there is a leak from a fixed skylight, the reason can usually be traced to an improper installation or poor flashing techniques. A good contractor carries riveted and soldered flashing kits which seal the skylight permanently.
02. Vented Skylights
If you are looking to install glass skylights in your bathroom or kitchen you would undoubtedly want the vented skylights. However since a vented skylight is not sealed shut, the chances of leakage are higher when compared to fixed skylights.
Vented skylight manufacturers have upgraded their products. To avoid rainwater seeping in from a skylight accidentally left open, the vented skylights now come with sensors. These sensors automatically close the skylight when they sense raindrops.
Once you have decided between a fixed or vented type you can choose one which suits your taste or the theme of your house. While the most popular shape in glass skylights is the rectangle, they can be found in multiple other shapes. Not all skylights are flat either. You can choose a domed skylight in order to enhance the look of your home.
Installing a Skylight
Proper installation is the key to having a smooth function skylight. The best way to go about it is to hire an experienced professional who will take into consideration the slope and the moisture control while installing the skylight.
Considering the Slope
The slope of the roof you wish to install your skylight on will be responsible for the amount of light and heat it allows into the specific room. A skylight installed on a low slope will let in more heat in summer and less heat in the winter. This definitely is not what every homeowner would want. The ideal slope should be 10 degrees more than the geographical latitude of your home.
Controlling Moisture
To prevent leaks it is necessary to ensure that your skylight is installed properly. Ideally a skylight should have a 6 inch curb above the surface of your roof. Make sure that the skylight is properly sealed using the right flashlight kit.
Always ensure that you have read the instructions and guidelines provided by the manufacturer along with the skylight.