It is often said that sitting under a skylight is pure enjoyment but only in someone else’s home. The considerations are not many but are quite serious when it comes to these types of windows, which may be aesthetically superb but may also cause great headaches.
Since skylights have a good and a bad face, it’s hard to say if they will be an asset (or not) when it comes to home value. Some will love the idea of having skylights in their new home. Some may consider these windows a burden due to the necessary upkeep and the problems that may go with them.
One more thing that throws skylights in the grey area is the energy bills. Some argue that skylights can save money. Some say that there’s energy loss. In fact, both sides are right – somehow. How come? Well, skylights bring lots of natural light into the room and so there’s no need for artificial light for the most part of the day. When a room is shed with light all day long, it keeps warm. And that’s a good thing for winter but unbearable in the summer. That’s why the opinions in regard to the energy bills vary, and everyone is right.
All the same, there are some obvious benefits as there are some apparent drawbacks that are listed here to help you decide if skylights are for you or not.
The advantage of skylights
• Beauty
Skylights are gorgeous. Who can deny that? Architecturally speaking, they make a difference since they make a house unique and add interest. They are gorgeous from anywhere you stand – inside or out. And so, they improve the curb appeal and become the interior’s focal point.
• Lots of light
With skylight windows installation, you bring natural light where it would otherwise be darkness. Even if there are other windows in the room, the skylights bring more sunlight due to their position – hence, their name.
• Comfort
Assuming that you get skylights that open, you can enjoy the night breeze in summer without having to operate fans and ACs. And one more thing. Since they prolong the daytime, you get to engage in various activities in a naturally illuminated space. That’s good for your health too.
• Nice environment
A well-illuminated room is joyful. Due to that some forms of depression, like seasonal affective disorder, can be addressed. When the short winter days become longer and when a dark room becomes brighter, the mood is improved.
• Airy feeling
Skylights often give the impression that the room is taller than it is. Since they give views of the sky, the eye rests and travels far away creating a good inner feeling and an airy feeling in the room.
• Window design options
We are habituated to seeing typical skylight designs – in a way, sloped windows – if you will. But if you find an experienced window installation company – one that can make custom designs, you will realize that the solutions can be truly revolutionary.
• Ventilation
If the skylights open, they give you the chance to ventilate the room, which would otherwise not be aired. This is one more good thing health-wise too.
The disadvantages of skylights
• Leaks
All windows may leak. No doubt. But skylights leaking is a different matter. Why? Because they are found on your ceiling – over your head. Also, on your roof where ice dams are formed in the winter. An extra issue is that due to the distance, you cannot detect potential problems with the window’s seals or frame. And so, if something goes wrong, you will first experience the repercussion – leaks, for instance, and then you will call a window service technician.
• Hard to do window repairs
In the same context, doing window repairs is hard. That’s because you cannot notice a problem due to the distance. And you cannot inspect the components of the skylight – not as you would do with the rest of the windows. Plus, reaching the skylights to replace weather strips, for example, will be rather impossible – unless the skylights are positioned on the lower side sloped part of the roof.
• Over lighting
Although having too much light in the home is a good thing, it may also be annoying. This may happen when you work in this room and cannot do so due to the intense brightness. Or, if you want to use somehow the space but cannot have control over the brightness.
• Condensation
Window condensation is a common problem. It may happen with any window. The problem with skylights is still with their position – the very same reason for their uniqueness. Not only it will be hard to fix the problem but the skylight will drip water too.
• Hard to maintain
Cleaning your typical sash aluminum windows in the living room or the sliding window over your kitchen sink is easy. But reaching skylights is often a tad difficult – always assuming they are installed at high roof levels. On top of that, they get dirty easier than other windows due to their inclination. And so, what would otherwise be a beautiful ceiling window turns out to be an eye-sore – one you cannot clean – at least, not with ease.
