By IKO Residential. 

Discover the varied sorts, types and set up strategies of skylights to help your clients when incorporating them into their roofing tasks. 

As a roofing contractor, one often neglected utility and consideration is the promoting and set up of skylights. Skylights can considerably impression the ambiance and performance of any inside house, and serving to your clients choose the suitable sort is important for attaining particular targets. Whether or not the goal is to reinforce pure lighting, improve ceiling peak or make a particular architectural assertion, the selection of skylight performs a pivotal function. 

Diving into the world of skylights, roofing contractors could initially discover themselves confronted with many choices. The variations embody differing types, types and set up strategies, together with an in depth number of glass sorts, glazing, covers and shades. This information is designed to supply professionals with a complete overview to debate skylight choices with their clients. 

Execs and cons of skylights 

There are various benefits to skylights usually. They’ll make small rooms seem bigger, make darkish rooms brighter and ventilate humid rooms. Roof skylights also can contribute to architectural and stylistic statements. 

But, skylights also can trigger a home-owner some grief. Decrease-quality skylights could cause ultraviolet (UV) injury to furnishings and flooring or can create glare. All roof skylights will permit for some warmth loss, as they penetrate the roof deck. In truth, skylights will launch extra conditioned air than even a window of the identical measurement would. And even a correctly put in skylight could typically result in condensation or a leak. However there are numerous methods to keep away from these issues, together with selecting the skylight that’s proper to your dwelling and ensuring it’s correctly put in. 

The three sorts of skylights 

The very first thing you should select is your sort of skylight. Mounted and vented skylights are comparatively related, however tubular skylights supply an entire totally different skylight expertise. 

1 – Mounted skylights 

These are typical skylight home windows that don’t open. They supply mild and might present a stupendous view of the sky or different surroundings. Mounted skylights are typically put in on a excessive ceiling the place you possibly can’t attain them. As a result of they don’t open, they don’t present humidity management for a room. 

2 – Vented skylights 

Vented skylights look the identical as mounted skylights, however they are often opened by hand or by digital management. Subsequently, vented skylights are a sensible choice the place condensation or extra humidity is a priority. For instance, they will present moisture management in key rooms, like bogs and kitchens. They might additionally double as emergency exits if they’re simple to entry and made to constructing codes. However vented skylights are usually dearer than mounted skylights. 

3 – Tubular Skylights 

Tubular skylights, additionally known as photo voltaic skylights, are usually not conventional skylight home windows. As an alternative, they’re lengthy tubes meant to catch and mirror mild into the house. Subsequently, they’re good for small areas, like bogs, hallways and closets. It’s additionally simpler to put in photo voltaic skylights, particularly the place the attic or roof is obscured by wiring or venting, as a result of they’ll match between obstructions. 

Photo voltaic skylights could have dimmers to regulate how a lot mild they supply. They might have exhaust followers to assist with moisture management, too. They usually can have a filter to maintain UV mild out. Tube skylights are a sensible choice the place privateness is a prime precedence. But, they don’t present a view exterior, in contrast to skylight home windows. 

Deck-mounted versus curb-mounted skylights 

Whereas these two skylight set up strategies may sound bland, they make a huge impact in your completed skylight. Primarily, the distinction between a curb-mounted and deck-mounted skylight is {that a} deck-mounted skylight sits flush with the roof, whereas a curb-mounted skylight is held up greater than the roof face by a curb. 

Deck-mounted skylights 

A deck mounted skylight’s body is flashed straight into the roof. Skylight frames are made from extruded aluminum or galvanized metal, which should be linked to the remainder of the roof by a roofing skilled. It takes ability and information to make sure that a deck-mounted skylight works with a roof as an alternative of towards it, so at all times make sure you seek the advice of with a roofing skilled. 

Curb-mounted skylights 

Curb-mounted skylights are a superior selection to forestall leaks. They permit for extra flexibility in measurement and might supply extra glass space than a deck-mounted skylight positioned in the identical gap. Thus, they are often brighter, however are additionally dearer. 

Curbs may be constructed on-site or may be supplied by the skylight producer. In both case, a curb must be double-walled and insulated to assist retain warmth within the dwelling. 

The Nationwide Roofing Contractors Affiliation recommends utilizing curbs tall sufficient to permit for a minimum of 4 inches of vertical flashing on all sides. If the skylight is put in on a low-slope roof, the curb must be even taller, to permit for 8 inches of flashing. When utilizing manufacturer-produced curbs that aren’t tall sufficient, the roofing skilled should prolong the curb. 

Additionally, the curb’s shaft may be formed for various functions. A straight shaft will maintain the sunshine targeted in a single space and can be utilized to focus on a particular characteristic of the house. For instance, the skylight above is supposed to focus on the bath. 

A flared shaft is used to assist disperse pure mild all through the house.  An angled shaft, which can be utilized to seize mild at a particular time of day, permits the skylight to be at a unique pitch than the roof. For instance, it might be angled down, on the west aspect of the house, to seize extra mild within the night. 

Types of roof skylights 

A skylight’s model refers to its form and the structure of the glass. There are fundamental and vaulted types. Fundamental types are flat-roof skylights that don’t venture above the roof face except curb-mounted. This can assist you retain the look of the outside of your own home constant. Additionally they supply extra mild than vaulted types. 

In distinction, vaulted types at all times venture above the roof face and are sometimes dearer, as they require extra glass. Vaulted skylights could be a dramatic architectural characteristic, but when not well-chosen, they may detract from the look of your own home or neighborhood. 

As you contemplate these skylight types, contemplate which of them look most pleasing to you, in addition to which can slot in with the general model of your own home. 

• Flat-roof skylights: These skylights are flat and observe the pitch of the roof. They might be deck-mounted in order that they don’t intrude with the look of the roof line. 
• Spherical skylights: These skylights are spherical, as seen from the within of the house, however flat on the outside. They might be deck- or curb-mounted as nicely. Spherical skylights are uncommon and might look nice. 
• Dome skylights: These skylights venture upwards in a dome. They’re often rectangular as seen from the within of the house however may be spherical too. Often, dome skylights are acrylic (Plexiglass), which is most proof against hail when dome formed. The primary benefit of those skylights is that they’re cheap. Dome skylights can be utilized on flat roof techniques. 
• Straddle skylights: These roof skylights are two-pitched and positioned to straddle the height of the roof. They’re virtually at all times deck-mounted to attain their distinctive look. The benefit of straddle skylights is that you just get the look of a vaulted skylight on the within, with out disturbing the look of the roof line from the outside of the house. 
• Polygon skylights: These are any flat skylights of an uncommon form, like an octagon, hexagon, triangle or specialty form. You may obtain a really dramatic look with polygon skylights. 
• Pyramid skylights: The basic vaulted skylights, they’ve a sq. or rectangular base and venture upwards to type a pyramid form. The glass panels meet on the hip. Pyramid skylights make an architectural assertion, however they often seize much less mild than a fundamental skylight of the identical measurement. 

Pyramid and other forms of vaulted skylights could, as an alternative of forming a degree, type a ridge or flat prime. From the within, there may be not a lot distinction between pointed and flat-top pyramid skylights; however, from the surface, one form or the opposite may look higher on your own home. 

• Roof lantern/conservatory skylights: Earlier than skylights, roof lanterns had been used to deliver mild into a house or different constructing. They consisted of a sq. projecting up from the roof, with home windows put in on all sides, and a standard roof above. 

Now, roof lanterns may be made with a glass prime to supply a singular look and much more mild. Nonetheless, they give the impression of being finest on historic dwelling types. 

• Vaulted polygon skylights: These skylights have a vaulted model, however with an octagonal, hexagonal or one other distinctive base form. 
• Barrel vault skylights: These are vaulted roof skylights, which, as an alternative of projecting as much as create a peak, are topped with curved glass. Every finish will need to have a half-circle glass piece on every finish to assist the curved glass. This creates the look of a barrel. Quarter vaulted skylights are very related however have 1 / 4 circle glass for his or her finish items. 

Every kind of skylights could also be positioned in tandem, or in a single-file row, with no roof house between them. In fact, you would obtain virtually the identical look by putting in skylights subsequent to at least one one other with sufficient room for a rafter between them. Or you could place a number of roof skylights in a cluster sample. 

Varieties of roof skylight glass 

Your selection of skylight glass will decide how sturdy your skylight is. Every sort of glass can have options and coverings to maintain out UV mild, insulate higher and usually enhance efficiency. We’ll talk about these options after a fast rationalization of the sorts of glass. 

1. Plexiglass: This isn’t a type of glass however acrylic and polyglass. It’s a sturdy and light-weight materials that you could be need to contemplate as a result of it’s so cheap; nevertheless it has drawbacks. Acrylic will scratch if particles or hail hits it. It permits in additional UV rays than different skylight supplies, and these rays are the primary perpetrator behind light furnishings and flooring. This similar UV publicity will put on down the acrylic itself, which can finally crack. Over time, acrylic may additionally yellow, distorting the sunshine and think about out of your skylight. 
2. Tempered skylight glass: Tempered glass is scratch-resistant and heat-treated for energy. However, if it does break, it shatters right into a thousand just about innocent granules. By not creating massive shards, tempered glass is safer. It additionally insulates from noise higher than acrylic. 
3. Laminated skylight glass: Laminated glass has a skinny layer of both polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) sandwiched in between two layers of tempered glass. Thus, if the glass breaks, the granules from the tempered glass have a tendency to carry onto the middle layer, lowering the possibilities of tempered glass items falling into the house. Most high-quality skylights could have laminated glass, however it’s typically the most costly possibility. 

All these skylight supplies could also be single-, double- or triple-pane thick. Generally this enables for distinctive options, like gasoline insulation. 

Glass options 

• Gasoline filling: Between two layers of glass, a producer can insert an inert glass that helps with insulation. Krypton and argon are two typical gases used for the aim. Argon insulates higher however is dearer than krypton. Xenon gasoline filling is feasible however is often used solely in business glass. R-value measures a skylight’s insulation, the upper, the higher. 
• Low-E coatings: These coatings add vitality effectivity with out obscuring the glass (in contrast to some glazing). U-value measures how a lot warmth passes via the skylight and can can help you examine the vitality effectivity of various skylight home windows. The decrease the U-value, the much less warmth strikes via the glass. 
• Glazing: There are numerous sorts of glazing, which might shade out skylights the place glare is an issue. The sorts of glazing obtainable will range by producer, however the darker the glazing, the much less mild can be allowed in. The shading coefficient measures how a lot mild is allowed via the skylight; the decrease the worth, the much less mild the skylight permits via and the extra shade it offers. 

Other forms of coatings could also be designed to cut back noise, condensation and UV rays. A skylight producer can layer many of those coatings. Usually, UV rays are a main concern for householders as a result of publicity to those rays dulls furnishings and flooring over time. If you realize the UV blockage worth of the glass (a share of UVA rays that’s blocked), you possibly can examine totally different coatings. 

Skylights and hail injury 

Whereas glass producers proceed to make advances in impression resistance, hail stays a problem. Plexiglass is the worst selection relating to hail resistance, as it might scratch and can break a lot simpler than glass. Tempered and laminated glass resists small and medium hail fairly nicely, however there may be at all times the opportunity of abnormally massive hail breaking via a roof skylight. When that occurs, skylight restore or alternative are your solely choices. 

However skylight restore doesn’t should be costly. Some skylight producers supply warranties that cowl hail injury, and residential insurance coverage can give you a further layer of safety. 

You may as well use exterior skylight covers to guard skylights from hail. For instance, wire cages could defend acrylic skylights, although they could spoil the view. It’s superb to have the covers or shades produced by the producer in order that they gained’t void the general guarantee on the product. 

Skylight covers and cages 

Acrylic skylights can profit from exterior wire cages to forestall hail injury and are helpful as basic security options. 

As an alternative of stopping injury, different skylight covers are designed to restrict glare or UV rays. These covers may be comprised of quite a lot of materials and are wrapped over the surface of the skylight. They’re finest for householders who completely need the covers on since you should name in knowledgeable to place them on and take them off. 

If you’d like to have the ability to modify the covers, skylight shades and blinds are your reply. They’re for the inside of the skylight, similar to on a window, however they could be operated by a motor as an alternative of simply by hand. Not like wire cages and most skylight screens, skylight shades and blinds can supply full privateness too. However they won’t assist defend the outside of the skylight from injury. 

Relying on the producer you select to your skylight blinds, you’ll have all kinds of colours and supplies to select from. 

Roof skylight condensation 

Skylight condensation can happen between layers of glass or on the floor of the skylight. It seems as small droplets of water, which might disrupt your own home and trigger injury. As a result of condensation is induced or worsened by a house with extra humidity, operating a dehumidifier, circulating air by putting in a fan or just opening a skylight vent can all assist clear up the issue. 

Poor high quality glass and chilly climates may additionally trigger or worsen condensation. In both case, the glass is just too chilly as in comparison with the within temperature, and air vapors naturally gather and liquefy on the glass. Changing the skylight with glass that has a excessive R-value, or with a skylight that has condensation gutters, is the one resolution. 

If condensation seems between layers of glass, it might be an indication that the seal has damaged and can have to be mounted. Whereas some householders could also be tempted to attempt to seal up the skylight with caulking, that’s not a great resolution. If the seal isn’t restored to correct working order, the condensation might start to leak into the roof construction, inflicting additional injury. As an alternative, it is best to contact a roofing skilled who can look at the supply of the condensation and supply a long-term resolution. 

Roof skylight leaks 

Generally, condensation could be a leak. Sadly, many who focus on skylights don’t perceive the perform of a roof the way in which {that a} licensed IKO roofing skilled does. That’s why it is best to at all times have a roofing skilled set up a minimum of the flashing across the skylight, however ideally the entire skylight. Make sure to select your roofing contractor fastidiously. 

Do skylights improve dwelling worth? 

Whereas roof skylights often improve dwelling worth, whether or not they’re the suitable funding for your home relies on a number of elements. If high quality skylights are put in professionally, potential consumers will view your skylight as an asset. If a skylight already has issues by the point you go to promote your own home, it is going to be a legal responsibility. 

In accordance with Client Affairs, putting in skylights is often cheaper than many different dwelling upgrades you may put money into, like putting in a deck and altering your counter tops, cupboards or flooring within the kitchen. However there are issues householders can do to mitigate the price of their skylight. 

People can reap the benefits of a federal tax credit score, which applies to photo voltaic skylights. The tax credit score has just lately been prolonged to use via 2021. The producer should verify in case your selection qualifies for this system however search for skylights with a solar-powered element, like blinds or venting. Maintain your receipt, (and a duplicate of the producer’s assure), and submit it with IRS tax type 5695 to get a 30 % tax credit score. 

One other cost-saving issue is to decide on a number of smaller skylights, which slot in between a roof’s rafters and purlins, as an alternative of creating structural modifications to the roof to permit for a single massive skylight. Dome skylights are notably cheap and look nice in pairs. A number of roof skylights can create a beautiful symmetrical look, as beneath. 

Certainly, whether or not skylights will improve a house’s worth additionally relies on its look and whether or not potential consumers like that look. Vaulted skylights make a grander assertion and are due to this fact greater dangers than flat-roof skylights. The least dangerous possibility is a photo voltaic tube skylight as a result of it provides pure mild with out dramatically altering the scope of a room. And everybody loves pure mild.  

Authentic article supply: IKO