Selecting A Skylight

Any home inspection in New York will certainly include a professional look at the windows and doors. As well, a thorough job will include any skylights on the premises. While these skylights are often a high demand item that many consumers ask for and enjoy, they can also be problematic. These accessories can leak or lose excessive heat and this can be attributed in many cases to improper installation. It’s important that the homeowner go through all the procedures in selecting one of these since in the best cases, they can provide years of enjoyment.

Remember that a skylight can make any room in the house different. They can make a bathroom seem larger, a kitchen much more warm and cheery, or a bedroom a place to watch the stars. Although the industry has made great improvements in the quality of skylights and the flashing used in them, it is still essential that the consumer know of certain rules that govern where the best place for them to go are.

For example, if the skylight is to be placed in the kitchen, it’s best to face it east so it can catch the morning light. There is also an eco friendly advantage here as even a small skylight can provide enough light so that you can do without electric lights for the balance of the day. A good home inspection in New York or anywhere else will tell you that any skylight that faces south might not be such a good idea as the heat from the sun in the summer can be excessive. Avoid skylights that straddle a ridge because they are difficult to flash and often leak.

Although there are many things that you’ll want to consider when shopping for a skylight, one of the most important is the manufacturer. Although the sizes have become fairly standardized, there is still a great difference in quality. Here are a few things to consider when you’re selecting a skylight:

§         Do you want one that opens and closes or do you want a fixed model? Skylights that are able to open and close can vent excess heat and are generally easier to clean.

§         The kind of flashing is also very important. Step flashing is preferred here since step flashing must be caulked to keep the water out.

§         Does the unit that you’re considering have tempered glass? That’s important if there’s something like a tree branch that overhangs your roof. Remember here to check with your municipality—there might even be codes requiring this kind of glass.

Here’s a final thought. Make sure to use lots of drywall compound to cover the joints on the inside when you install the unit. Because the light will be coming in at that point, any drywall joints and nail holes will illuminated too. 

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