Home renovations are about aesthetics but also functionality. So, you have to make smart decisions when you plan your property changes. A skylight is a winning option in most cases, but still takes some insight to get just right. Use our handy guide to help you know whether you need custom skylights Sydney homeowners often pick and where exactly to find yours.
What Exactly Do You Need?
You may be surprised at how much a skylight can do for your home. While it’s a huge plus to have more light, you can also pick certain types of skylights that can open, so air can move in and out. But not all skylights have this feature, so if ventilation is important to you, discuss this with your vendor.
Skylights can also help to manage humidity and temperatures inside the home, making it less likely you’ll need the HVAC much this winter or in the heat of summer.
So, make a list of your needs so you can discuss it with vendors:
- Rooms you need some change in
- Sizes that will work
- Whether you need custom options for unique spaces in your home
- Challenges you experience during certain seasons such as your home being too hot or cold
- If you think you need to manage humidity better
- Spaces you use artificial light a lot, so you can ask whether skylights can be the answer
Where Do You Need it?
Now, consider where you want a skylight, it will be wise to discuss this with an expert. A skylight can be valuable in more places than you think. Common uses are:
- Creating light in a kitchen
- Bringing light into bathrooms and improving ventilation, all to prevent mould
- Adding light to dark rooms—bedrooms, living rooms and offices—to minimise the use of artificial light
- Turning an attic into a more practical space
Do You Understand the Terminology?
Browsing through skylight options, you’ll see a lot of specifications. Educate yourself about these terms, so you can make informed decisions when talking to skylight vendors. A few common ones you’ll find:
- U-value: The rate at which heat flows through the skylight
- UV blockage: How much of UV rays a skylight can block
- VLT: How much visible light it transmits
- Low profile: The window will sit low in the roof, so it doesn’t obstruct the roofline
- Shading: This is expressed as a coefficient and refers to the heat gain you can expect, compared to a standard pane of glass
- R-value: This will tell you how much insulation the installation will provide
You’ll also see many different types of glass mentioned in product descriptions. Manufacturers use different setups to cater for a variety of needs. Some are insulated better while others will be best at blocking UV rays.
If you’re not sure what a product description means and whether it’s valuable to you, ask your supplier!
Should You Install it Yourself?
Manufacturers make products very user friendly these days, but with a skylight or any similar installation, it’s often best to trust the experts. Depending on whether it’s an installation or a replacement, you’re probably going to make a hole in your home’s structure, so you don’t want any mistakes!
When you trust a professional to do it for you you’re also benefiting from their experience and knowledge. They will advise on the best way to do it and ensure that it’s sealed well and works efficiently.
Where to Buy Your Skylight
Finding a trusted skylight supplier is one of the most important factors in buying these units. You want products that will work well and also last long. Why take the risk of having to replace it in the near future just because you’re picking the cheapest quote you could find? You’ll spend more money than is necessary in the long run if you don’t use reputable vendors from the get-go.
To identify good skylight vendors, think about the following:
- Do they have a wide range of products to pick from?
- Can they offer custom options, so you get exactly what you need for your home’s layout?
- Are they trusted in the industry? Read reviews and look for Google ratings to get clarity on this matter.
- Does the company have long term experience in the market? Don’t let your installation be one of the projects they use to train on. You want experts on your project!
- Can they share a portfolio of finished projects to give you an idea of what to expect?
- Will they assist with repairs and maintenance in years ahead?
In Summary
A skylight is an excellent home improvement and one of the best features is that it will make your home ready for greener living! Enjoy lower utility costs, while enjoying a lighter, less stuffy home. Just make your decisions wisely and if you have specific questions about this topic, please let us know in the comments section.
