Important Considerations for Your Skylight Installation

Posted on: 9 March 2021

Mulling adding skylight windows to your home? Skylight window installation will not only improve natural lighting in dark rooms or areas of your house but can also help keep the building naturally ventilated. 

Beyond letting in more daylight and fresh air, skylight windows are spectacular architectural and interior design elements that can enhance the style of almost any home exterior or interior. While skylights are beneficial in many ways, installation can be tricky. To get maximum ROI out of your skylight window installation, you should carefully think through the project.

Here are a few essential factors to take into account before installing skylights in your home.

Establish Why You Need to Install Skylights

As already pointed out, skylight windows can be installed to achieve different goals. Are you looking to invite more daylight into a dark living room? Are you trying to reduce your heating bills by letting more fresh air into your living space? Do you want to see the spectacular views of the sky on clear nights?

It's important to establish what you intend to achieve with your skylight installation before starting the project. Different types of skylights serve different purposes. For example, fixed skylights bring in natural light and provide beautiful views of the night sky, but they don't offer any natural ventilation. To let more fresh air in from above, you'll need to install a venting unit. 

Unlike fixed skylights, venting versions can be opened to improve air circulation within your home. Venting units can be operated either manually or electronically, with the latter costing more upfront.

Consider the Type of Roof Framing System You Have

There are two general types of framing systems available for roof structures – traditional stick framing (rafters) and roof trusses. Depending on the type you have, you may be forced to choose certain skylight sizes only.

Generally, stick-framed roofs are better suited for skylights because they can be cut without compromising the structural soundness of the entire roof. Roof trusses, on the other hand, are not meant to be cut after installation. Hence, you may be forced to install smaller skylights that will fit into the limited space available between trusses.

If you must cut your trusses to accommodate a bigger window size, make sure you consult engineering requirements, local building codes, and local ordinances first.

Decide Where to Locate the Windows

Proper positioning of skylights is critical to maximising the amount of sunshine they bring in. Depending on the location of your home, you should install your skylights in a direction and at a slope that will ensure continuous year-round illumination.

Skylight window installation is a job that should be done by an experienced professional. Contact a skylight installer near you to discuss your needs and get a quote for your project.

Share