Things You Should Know About Skylights

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

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With the clear, warm weather upon us, many homeowners are beginning to crack open their windows and raise their blinds to let a ray of light and a gust of fresh air into their rooms. Although for some the sunlight from their windows and doors is enough, others are left wanting more. One option to let more light into your home is by installing a skylight. Essentially, these are windows that are installed in the roof or ceiling and prove to be particularly successful for rooms in a home that don't receive much natural light. However, as a homeowner there are a lot of things you should know before choosing to include a skylight in your renovation plans. With help from the DIY Network, we've compiled a list of the top 10 things you should know before installing a skylight:

1. Quality: When choosing which skylight to install, make sure to consider energy efficiency, water tightness, sound reduction, ventilation and shading. Though they are primarily favored in the summer, don't forget that they'll be visible all year long and therefore you'll still want to be satisfied after summers end.
2. Placement: Placement is often determined by the architecture of your home and location of your rafters. Make sure you are familiar with the layout of your home before cutting out sections of your roof - otherwise, you may just end up with an unwanted hole!
3. Weather: Keep an eye on the weather as you begin installation of your skylight. Bad weather can delay the project or even make installation impossible if moisture sneaks in in the process.
4. Safety: If you plan to install your skylight yourself, check your equipment (such as your ladder) and attire before beginning installation. Falling is a real possibility so be sure to have everything in place first to prevent any injuries.
5. Know Your Slope: Make sure you know the dimensions of your roof before choosing a skylight since they vary in size and shape.
6. Inside First: Again, if you plan to do the installation yourself, make sure that you start from the inside so you can avoid cutting any electrical wires. Once you've completed this step, outline the corners of your skylight and work your way out.
7. Shingle Removal: Once you get to the outside, remove the entire sheet of shingles from your roof until you see the opening. This will make it easier to reconstruct your roof once installation is complete.
8. Waterproofing: Waterproof flashing will keep your skylight looking and working great. By installing the flashing you will divert any water or ice away from the opening.
9. Interior Construction: Don't be surprised if you need to do some work on the interior of your home after installation is complete. You might need to apply a bit of sheet-rock and extra insulation to make sure nothing but light comes in through your skylight.
10. Self-Ventilating Skylight: While skylights are usually used for their ability to let in light, many give you the option of letting in air too. Consider a brand that allows you ventilate your room in addition to lighting it up.

Doing any construction to your roof alone can be intimidating. That's why we suggest hiring a professional who will get the job done in a safe and timely manner while seeing to it that your project is done correctly. At Phil's Main Roofing, we offer roofing services to both the commercial and residential sectors. Our team of licensed roofers is available for a variety of roofing projects and will install top roofing brands in addition to providing all around quality service. Call us at (203) 838-4545 to schedule your FREE estimate today!