Bring some brightness into your life by investing in skylights
If you’re on the hunt for a way to bring some brightness into your life, a skylight may just be the solution for you. It’s officially winter, and it’s no wonder that so many of us become aware of just how important natural light is to our lives. Skylights are roof windows that are great at bringing that natural light into your living spaces. They can bring in up to five times more light than typical sidewall windows and help warm an area up to boot. That said, it’s essential to know what structural conditions must be met beforehand. Here is a look at some of these significant considerations before you begin on your skylight installation project.
Not Everyone Roof’s a Fit
Remember that as great as skylights may be, they’re not right for every application. The roof must be constructed in a way that makes skylight installation possible. Stick-framed roofs are common and have individual rafters spaced out up to four feet apart, which leaves enough room for a skylight to be cut. Truss-framed roofs, though, are made of prefabricated triangular parts and are less-than-ideal. Sometimes you can still add a smaller skylight, but the roof construction can limit your options.
Choose Your Glazing
Most folks think of skylights as necessitating glass glazing, but plastic is a standard option too. Glass is more expensive, but also more transparent and more durable. It’s got more options too, with different insulating choices or custom sizes and shapes. It’s ideal if you invest in double-paned glass, though. Plastic is usually a stronger polycarbonate or a weaker acrylic, but it can scratch or become discolored. It may be more affordable, but this comes at the cost of coming in predetermined sizes and shapes.
What Are You Letting In?
An important factor when considering skylight installation is just what you’re letting in. You want to let light in, but some skylights also let air in as well. You can close or open vented skylights on the fly, which is suitable for those who want to help make a space circulate a bit more. That said, a vented option is also more susceptible to leaking and aren’t as energy-efficient.
Considering Locations
To choose a location, think about what rooms in your home need some more light. These options may include your master bedroom, a finished attic, or your home office. The next step in the skylight installation process is for your installer to find an ideal part of the roof that meets all specifications. Choosing the right direction is also essential, as you ideally want a north-facing skylight to offer year-round natural light.
Depend on Leland Fisher Lumber For Your Lumber and Hardware Needs!
Leland Fisher Lumber is a full-service lumber company and hardware supplier. We’ve serviced homeowners and professional contractors in Montgomery County, Howard County, and Frederick County since 1894! Whether you want to remodel your home or upgrade your business, we have the professionalism and expertise to make any architectural vision come to life.
Be sure to visit Fisher Lumber’s Designer Showroom featuring displays of Andersen Windows, Therma-Tru entry doors, Simpson and Masonite exterior doors, as well as a wide selection of interior doors featuring Simpson, Masonite, Lemieux, and JELD-WEN. Our knowledgeable experts are ready to assist you! Contact us at 301-424-6500 and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.