You don’t need to go outside to be able to lay underneath the starry sky. Installing a skylight will not only allow you to stargaze every night, it will also help you save money on your energy bill by providing adequate sunlight in the morning. Before you go ahead and have it set up in your home, consider the following tips:
Photo by Layton Diament on Unsplash
Determine if it’s applicable to your roof
Because skylights are installed at the roofline beneath the roof shingles and sheathing, the construction of the roof must be able to support the skylight. First, consider the framing, which typically is one of two types:
- Stick-framed roofs, built with individual rafters spaced as far as four feet apart, tend to be better suited for skylights because they leave enough room to cut and fit a skylight between the rafters.
- Truss-framed roofs, named for the prefabricated triangular units they’re made of, are less ideal. Trusses aren’t designed to be cut after installation; doing so can compromise the structural integrity of the roof.
Even if your installer is willing to add a skylight to a truss-framed roof, you may be forced to go with smaller skylights no more than two feet wide to fit the limited space available between the beams that make up each truss. Source: BobVila
Find a good location
Placement is critical to making the most of your skylight. Find the arc of the sun relative to your roof and install the light along that slope. Lights with low slopes usually take in more solar energy. If you’re concerned the skylight will admit too much bright sunlight, you should consider using tinted glass to reduce glare. You’ll also need to plan the light placement with the rafters of your roof. Source: NearSay
Invest on quality
Energy efficiency, water tightness, sound reduction and other factors such as load and wind resistance are important considerations. Explore additional options such as shading, UV coatings and ventilation. Also, many manufacturers offer high-quality products made from sustainable materials in an effort to protect the environment. Installing a skylight is a serious undertaking, and you want to make sure you’ll be satisfied with your decision later on. Source: DIYNetwork
Installing a skylight can be a dangerous task, especially if your roof has a steep slope. Leave the work to the professionals! Call us to get a free estimate!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
