Skylight Windows: The Pros and Cons
Category : Home Renovation
It’s undeniable that a skylight brings a special kind of atmosphere into a room. Not only do skylights add natural light to a room during the summer season, but they also give an exclusive viewpoint of the falling snow and starry sky during the winter season.
And, if you’ve ever seen first-hand the beauty that a skylight brings to a room, you are probably not surprised that these have featured in architecture for centuries. This is why people are ready to pay the extra money to have them installed in their homes, regardless of the potential problems that skylights are prone to.
Before you commit to having a skylight installed, consider all the pros and cons that come with it:
Skylight Windows: The Pros
As stated above, skylight windows are aesthetically pleasing, can change the whole appearance of a room and can provide a beautiful view of the sky. But skylight windows are not limited to only those benefits, they also provide additional functionality and benefits that you may not even be aware of. And to make an informed decision it would be good to know more about those benefits before looking at the cons and the cost implications of having one installed.
1. They Offer Better Ventilation
Venting skylight windows can provide fresh air to a room and are perfect for certain areas of your house that tend to be darker or in those rooms where moisture builds up and needs to be circulated. An example of such a room would be the bathroom.
In warmer months, a venting skylight can provide additional, natural cooling and can help in lowering your utility bills.
2. They Increase Natural Lighting in the House
In addition to offering better ventilation, skylight windows also provide extra lighting and are perfect in areas of the house that are usually dark and dreary. The light that it allows in interior rooms that otherwise don’t get light adds aesthetic appeal. This can be done by installing it in an area of the room where it can provide a spotlight onto a showcase area, or a beautiful vista into the sky above.
3. They Can Give Indirect Solar Heating
When installed adequately and in the proper place in your home, a skylight can introduce additional indirect solar energy into your house. Moreover, if installed on the northern side of your home, it can bring you pleasant warmth in the winter month while if installed on the southern end of the house can provide indirect solar heat in the winter.
Skylight Windows: The Cons
Now that you are aware of the benefits conferred by the installation of skylight windows, let’s look at the cons. While there are several advantages to having a skylight fitted, there are just as many drawbacks which we believe you should be aware of before you dive in head-first. We’ve included those because we not only want to help you make an informed decision, but we also don’t want to you be unpleasantly surprised by the ongoing costs involved with the installation of one.
1. Roof Damage Risk
The installation of a large skylight in your home could potentially compromise the structure of your roof. You run this risk especially if you have a truss roof. If you don’t know what it is, talk to an experienced roof installer. Because it is not easy to modify a truss roof, it would be better to skip skylights altogether. On the other hand, if you have a standard roof frame you can go ahead with the fitting of the windows.
2. Risk of Interior Damage
Skylights can cause interior damage in three ways. Firstly, it can damage your furniture, curtains, carpet, and floors because of the extra light that’s entering through the window. Secondly, the furniture and floor can be damaged by water because of roof leaks. Finally, if the installation is not done properly, the skylight will become a hazard to you and your family as it can fail at any moment.
3. Expensive Installation and High Overheads
The cost involved in getting a skylight fitted is not the only thing that’s sky-high. This type of window is expensive to maintain and will also affect your utility bills. Besides, they can gradually create wear and tear in your house leading to even more expenses.
Takeaway
If you ask us, we are all for window skylights. We believe it is worth the investment as long as the installation and maintenance are done properly. So, now that you are ready to commit to the undertaking, remember to start by contacting an experienced roofing contractor to find out what kinds of costs you are looking at. This will enable you to budget accordingly.
Also, do not hesitate to ask for feedback from their previous clients to ensure that they know what they are doing and that you get only the highest quality of service.
