Isn’t it nice sometimes to have natural light without going out of the house? To some people, it may only be a design but it actually improves ventilation too. Attics are enclosed spaces that can use an open feel such as skylight, and many homeowners would say that getting one would be a good idea.
Skylights installation is now one of the services that roofing companies offer: Vancouver, Burnaby, Maple Ridge etc. You won’t have a hard time installing it since the roofing companies got you covered. However, there are still a few things to consider before installing a skylight.
Issues could arise from roofing components, and skylight is not an exception from this. Just because it’s not a roof, doesn’t mean it can’t have issues. Skylight leaks are pretty common. Hence, it’s important to know more about skylight before installing it onto your roof: factors such as skylight type, skylight flashing, placement, along with other factors that we will later explore. These knowledge advancement on skylights will help you arrive at a better or best decision.
So let’s go find out more!
Skylight Types
Before installation, there are 3 kinds to choose from: fixed, vented, and tubular, and each one has its own strength and weakness.
Fixed Skylights
Feature: this does not open which means they are always sealed. Regardless, it still requires flashing.
Strengths:
- Decreases any weather infiltration, which means lesser or close to no leaks.
- Low maintenance and this skylight installation is less expensive
- Offer a wide array of variables such as sizes and shapes
Weaknesses:
- It is sealed which means the airflow is limited and cannot help with the ventilation.
- Increased heat in spaces during summers
Recommended Flashing: Step Flashing (for shingles) or Continuous Flashing (for other roof materials)
Vented Skylights
Features: Unlike fixed skylights, this type actually opens in two ways — manual or remote controlled
Strength:
- It contributes a good airflow to ventilation
- Allows heat to escape from rooms in the house improving their temperatures
- Fixed ones allow natural light into your space but do not let air in and out. In contrast, vented offer both natural light and airflow, fulfilling ventilation requirements effectively.
Weaknesses:
- Skylight leaks is common due to its moving feature
- High maintenance and the skylight installation is more expensive
- Prone to repairs over time
Recommended Flashing: Step Flashing, but must be with Sill Flashing, and Head Flashing (for water redirection)
Tubular Skylights
Features:
- This skylight is smaller compared to the first 2 types. It is ideal for smaller areas that only tubular skylights can fit.
- The light is softer and more controlled due to its structure.
Strengths:
- Getting the natural light without the heat
- Tubular installation is less expensive and has the least maintenance among the 3 types
Weaknesses:
- Has the least light among the 3 since it is soft and controlled, and it does not provide any view of the outside
- Similar to fixed skylights, tubular skylights doesn’t have any contribution to the airflow
Recommended Flashing: Dome Flashing — they are usually provided with the tubular ones due to the difference in shape.
Before installing a skylight, choosing among the three and considering each of their features, strengths, and weaknesses is already a step closer to knowing which one is for you before the installation. It would be very costly if you realized after the installation that there is actually another skylight type that you prefer to be installed on your roof.
Aside from the type, what struck you to get a skylight is probably when you were in your living room and you realized it would be nice to have it installed there or when you’re cleaning in the kitchen and you thought of having a view because it would help you forget what you’re doing, Placement is another factor that you need to consider before the installation.
Skylight Placement
You have the freedom to choose where to put it, but knowing what are the recommended placements for different types will help you arrive at a better decision.
Fixed Skylights: living rooms, hallways, stairwells, bathrooms
Vented Skylights: kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, attics
Tubular Skylights: hallways, pantries, and laundry rooms.
Conclusion
All the information is quite a lot to take in, but it always starts within you: what you want, what you need, and why. Of course we can take a few pieces of advice from the people we know, but the goal in knowing these things before the installation is to lead you into a decision that comes from you and not influenced by someone or a group of people.
This component is a very good addition to your house. It can be a decoration, an addition to good air for ventilation, and one way to look at nature from the inside. When it comes to brand selection, the most commonly used ones are Velux Skylight. These are not only pleasing to the eyes, but also have many uses.