Types of Skylights for Homes and Their Benefits

Skylights for homes come with a myriad of different benefits including increased natural lighting and added home ventilation. Homeowners receive endless benefits from skylight installation, however, may be worried about skylight pricing or learning about the right type of skylight for their home. From adding a brand-new skylight to replacing an old worm-out unit, the size, and scope of skylight projects vary based on an array of styles. Unfortunately, the variations between new skylights or replacements and repairs become a confusing process. To help understand the best type of skylight for your home, the following aims to outline its outstanding benefits.

What are the common types of skylights for homes?

To help homeowners understand the best type of skylight for their home, start by learning about the main styles and their benefits: fixed units, vented units, and solar vented units. Additionally, skylight installation varies based on each style. So, when looking for a local skylight contractor, it helps to start with some basic knowledge.

• Fixed Skylights for Homes

Fixed skylights are exactly as they sound, units that do not open. Essentially, fixed skylights act as another window in your home. The main benefit of adding a fixed skylight compared to a window is the direction the unit faces. Skylights add sunlight for longer parts of the day than a traditional wall-mounted window. Additionally, skylight installation for these units remains about the same as other types of skylights. Importantly, fixed skylights fit well in areas where you do not want a skylight to open. Similarly, due to their simplistic nature, fixed skylights for homes offer a lower price than units that open.

• Manually Venting Skylights

Improving upon fixed skylights are manually venting skylights. As the name indicates, these types of skylights open by hand. These units not only bring in light and vitamin D to your home, but also aid in ventilation and fresh air. These can be placed anywhere in your home that you have direct access to open them often with an extended crank handle that can be stored away when not in use. In comparison to their solar venting cousins, manually venting skylights for homes are less expensive, but require physical labor to open and close (like a window).

• Solar Venting Skylights

Solar venting skylights for homes are the proverbially Cadillac of skylight options. As a result, these units come with a larger overall skylight installation costs. Further expanding upon skylights that open, solar venting options have a variety of features that reign supreme in direct comparison. For example, gone are the days of using a crank to open these units, solar venting skylights are remote controlled from the floor of your home. Some of these units also have rain sensing technology that automatically close them when excess moisture is present. Similarly, one major benefit of this style are the tax credits that come alongside them.

How do you select the right type of skylight for your home?

As you start vetting the main types of skylights, it is helpful to know how they each fit into your house. As a result, when choosing a skylight, it is important to consider the following factors:

• size of the room. The skylight should be large enough to provide adequate light, but not so large that it becomes a safety hazard.
• shape of the roof. The skylight must be compatible with the shape of the roof.
• climate. The skylight should be able to withstand the climate in your area.
• budget. Skylights can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

What are the main benefits of skylights?

Skylights offer a tremendous benefit to homeowners. In particular, the increase in natural sunlight and vitamin D help improve your overall mood. From sunlight and fresh air to improved value and savings, some of the main benefits of skylights.

• Natural light: Skylights let in natural light, which can help to brighten up a room and make it feel more spacious. Natural light has also been shown to have a number of health benefits, such as reducing stress and improving mood.
• Ventilation: Skylights can also provide ventilation, which can help to improve air quality in your home. This is especially beneficial in rooms that tend to get stuffy, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Energy efficiency: Skylights can help to improve the energy efficiency of your home by letting in natural light during the day. This can help to reduce your reliance on artificial lighting, which can save you money on your energy bills.
• Increased value: Skylights can also increase the value of your home. A study found that homes with skylights sold for an average of $1,500 more than homes without skylights.

How much do various types of skylights cost?

Simply put, the total cost of skylight installation projects is variable. While typically in the low to mid thousands of dollars, the overall costs relate to the style and options selected. Similar to a car, the base models are straightforward, but if you want additional features, that adds to the cost of the skylight and complexity of the installation. A few factors that go into skylight costs:

• type of skylight.
• type of roof.
• condition of roof.
• size of the skylight.
• location of the skylight.
• materials used.
• labor costs.
• permits and inspections.

How do you find a qualified skylight contractor?

Finally, part of finding and installing the right skylight for your home is working with a qualified skylight contractor. Similar to working with qualified roofing contractors, vetting the options relies on word of mouth, reviews and professionalism. A few simple tips for choosing a skylight:

• Read reviews. Before you buy a skylight, be sure to read reviews from other homeowners. This will help you to get an idea of the pros and cons of different models and skylight contractors in your area.
• Get professional installation. Skylights can be difficult to install, so it is important to hire a professional. This will ensure that the skylight is installed properly and that it is safe. Looking for professional status symbols like a licensed and insured company helps ensure your skylight contractor has the skillset to work on your home.

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No matter your choice, there are no real drawbacks to installing skylights for homes. Add natural light, and optional venting to make your home warmer, breezier, and all around more inviting. Ranch Roofing is a leading skylight contractor in the greater Boston area. For more information, or to schedule a free skylight estimate, contact us today!