Have you ever been in your home on a beautiful day and ever wish you could look up and see the blue of the sky and the green of the gently swaying tree branches? Well then, a skylight might be for you. If you have also heard bad things about getting one in your home, take a look at this list which has the top pros and cons of skylights.
Pros
Quality of Air
Skylights can let fresh air enter a room, which is great for stuffy or dark corners of your home. When the weather gets warmer, a skylight can have a cooling effect and can cut your utility bills by a large percentage.
More Light
In addition to the added ventilation, a skylight can add a bright spot of natural light into your home. Choose a beautiful spot that you would like to showcase, preferably over a particularly gloomy bit of space in your home.
Harness the Power of the Sun
Not all skylights can be used in this way, but if you have solar enabled windows that have been installed correctly, you could utilize the indirect solar energy beamed down on your house. In areas where the sun is strongest, a skylight can also keep you warm by concentrating the sun’s rays during the winter months.
Cons
Potential Damage to Your Roof
If you have a skylight put in, but it is not properly installed, it can cause damage to the structural integrity of your home. Most standard roofs these days can handle the addition of a skylight, but it is always best to check with your roofing company before doing such a major renovation.
Possible interior Damage
Just as the addition of a skylight to your roof can damage the roof and the whole exterior of your house, it can also be harmful to your furnishings inside the home. The sun beating down through a skylight can fade or bleach soft furnishings like curtains or cushions. If this poses a concern for you but still want a skylight, think about using a window with low-impassivity (low-e) glass. This will prevent the more harmful rays from getting through.
The Price can get Costly
All of the costs attributed to putting in a skylight might seem manageable when you just really want to have a spot of warmth in your home, but then you look at what they are, and how many there are. A skylight, though it can fill you with joy, will cause your utility bills to change, the cost of upkeep, and it might affect your home’s resale value.
Having a skylight put into your home is something that sounds more and more agreeable as the days get warmer, but there are a lot of factors that you have to consider. Use this list of pros and cons to help you make the best decision that you can make.
