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Writer's pictureMichael Chesbro

Installing a Skylight: Pros, Cons and Best Practices

Skylights are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners looking to add natural light to their living space. While skylights can be a great addition to any home, there are several factors to consider before installation. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of having a skylight installed, common misconceptions about skylight installation, factors to consider before choosing a skylight, tips for finding a qualified and reliable installer, best practices for maintaining a skylight after installation and real-life examples of successful installations.

Pros of Installing a Skylight

The most obvious benefit of installing a skylight is the addition of natural light into your home. This can help brighten up dark rooms and make them more inviting. Skylights also provide ventilation in the form of fresh air coming through the window or roof opening. This can help reduce energy costs by allowing you to open the window instead of running an air conditioner or heater all day long. Finally, depending on the design you choose, skylights can add aesthetic value to your home as well as increase its resale value.

Cons of Installing a Skylight

While there are many benefits to installing a skylight, there are also some drawbacks that should be considered before making your decision. One potential downside is that skylights can let in too much heat during the summer months if not properly shaded or insulated. This could lead to higher energy bills due to increased air conditioning costs. Additionally, while most modern designs are leak-proof, older models may require frequent maintenance and repair due to leaking or condensation buildup around the edges of the window frame. Finally, depending on your budget and size requirements, installing a skylight may be more expensive than other options such as adding additional windows or using artificial lighting fixtures.

Common Misconceptions About Skylight Installation

One common misconception is that installing a skylight is easy enough for anyone with basic DIY skills to do it themselves without professional help. However, this is not always true as improper installation could lead to leaks or other problems down the line that could cause serious damage if not addressed quickly enough. Additionally, many people assume that all types of roofs can accommodate any type of skylight when in fact certain roof types may require special flashing or other modifications in order for it to be safely installed without compromising its structural integrity.

Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Skylight

Before deciding on which type of skylight you want installed in your home, there are several factors you should consider first including: size (both interior and exterior), cost (including materials and labor), design (including features such as tinting or solar control glass), functionality (such as manual vs electric operation) and energy efficiency (including insulation). Additionally, it’s important to take into account how much natural light you need in each room as well as what type of roof you have so that you can choose an appropriate model that will fit properly without causing any damage during installation or afterwards due to incorrect sizing or weight load issues.

Tips For Finding A Qualified And Reliable Installer

When looking for someone who specializes in installing skylights it’s important that they have experience with both residential and commercial projects so they understand how different structures may require different methods for proper installation. It’s also important that they use high quality materials such as stainless steel screws instead of cheaper alternatives like plastic anchors which may not hold up over time due to weathering from sun exposure or temperature changes throughout the year. Additionally, ask them about their warranty policy so you know what kind of coverage you will get if something goes wrong after installation has been completed but before your warranty expires. Finally make sure they provide references from previous customers so you can get an idea about their work ethic and customer service skills before hiring them for your project .

Best Practices For Maintaining A Skylight After Installation

Proper maintenance is key when it comes extending the life span of your new skylight so here are some best practices: regularly inspect seals around frames for signs of wear; clean glass surfaces with mild soap solution; check caulking around frames for cracks; lubricate moving parts such as hinges every 6 months; replace broken parts immediately; use UV protective film on glass surfaces; use blinds/shades when necessary; keep gutters clear from debris; inspect flashing regularly; replace worn out flashings promptly; avoid using harsh chemicals near frames/glass surfaces; cover with tarp during winter months when possible .


As we’ve seen throughout this blog post, there are many benefits associated with installing a new sky light but there are also some drawbacks that should be taken into consideration before making your decision. We hope this guide has provided helpful information regarding pros, cons, common misconceptions, factors, tips, best practices, real life examples, etc. related to sky light installations so homeowners can make informed decisions when considering adding one into their living space.



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