Every home has a windowless laundry room, hallway or bathroom, and overhead lighting is the standard lighting solution for these areas. If you’re tired of dim lighting, consider installing an energy-efficient skylight and enjoy bright, natural, free sunlight. You’ll be amazed at the cheerful boost natural light will bring to these areas of your home. But be picky about the quality of the skylight and insist on proper installation so you get maximum enjoyment from your skylight without the hassle of roof leaks or inadequate light reflection.
Premier skylight manufacturers use test chambers to test each skylight product for air and water tightness. They also make sure their products stand up to various weather conditions over time, including heavy snow load, heat and cold, and they perform sound insulation tests and visual inspection of skylight surfaces. So choose a manufacturer that makes skylights built for durability and great functionality.
If you’re putting a skylight in a bathroom or other moisture-intense area, be sure to install adequate ventilation so your skylight won’t have condensation problems. A vent fan for a small bathroom should provide one cubic foot per minute of air circulation per square foot of floor area, or about eight air changes per hour.
You can also enjoy the room-brightening benefits of a skylight along with fresh air. Ventilating skylights offer both light and air, and may be a good option if you need more air flow in the area you’re brightening up. Like windows, good quality skylights offer low-e and tinted coatings to control heat transmission and UV radiation.
The size of the skylight and the type of roof you have are both considerations in skylight installation. Make sure you choose a contractor who understands roofing loads, so your roof won’t be compromised by the skylight installation. A good contractor will know how to properly install a skylight for a snug, safe fit.
