It happens to many homeowners- they look around the house one day and feel it is too dark and in need of brightening up. One popular way of achieving this (and has been for generations)is to put in skylights. They provide free natural daytime light and hence cut utility bills. The sunlight that enters will cheer up any interior and give it new life. Putting in a skylight seems like a simple project for the reasonably competent home handyman. The truth is very different. There are several dangers involved in skylight installation and it takes serious expertise and professional skills to not just avoid them, but to ensure that the skylight will give many years of trouble-free daylight.

Placement Is Critical

One of the most common mistakes is to look only at the interior of the house when deciding on the skylight location. Spotting the areas of the home that will benefit from additional sunlight is only half the battle. It is equally important to be aware of what is above the ceiling at the chosen spot. What is the condition of the roof that you will be cutting into? What are the tools you will need? Are there any pipes or is there any complex wiring that will get in the way of the installation? Even if there are no technical problems in the way of the skylight installation, you will need to evaluate the movement of the sun across the roof and the slope to see if the skylight will have enough sunlight falling on it, for enough hours during the day, to give you the kind of results you expect.

Also Read: Maintaining Your Skylight

Ignoring the Roof Condition

Skylights need not be installed only on a new roof. It is the condition of the roof, not its age, that needs to be considered. If there are pending or incipient problems with the roof, it makes sense to get the required repairs or replacements done before installing the skylight. Cutting a hole in a roof that is weak or has leaks (or shows signs of developing leaks in the future) is asking for trouble in the form of even more leaks, drafts and heat loss, mold development and water damage to the house itself.

Tubular Daylight Devices

Tubular daylighting devices that collect sunlight from the roof, carry it into the house to even the most interior parts and diffuse it through elegant fittings are becoming increasingly popular. You should understand the benefits of both options to make the right decision.

To be sure that you are making the right choice between the traditional skylight and tubular device options, you need to consult with experts. Contact the dealer of a leading skylight and tubular device manufacturer and ask for a free consultation so that you can understand the benefits of each option. Once you make your choice, have the installation done by experts for years of trouble-free natural light in the house.

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