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Skylights |
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By letting natural light stream in, a skylight gives a room a feeling
of spaciousness and light. By reducing the need for electric lighting,
it can help trim energy bills.
A skylight is basically a window in a roof. Its frame is designed
to withstand the rigors of weather, and its flashing works with the
roofing material to seal out rain and snow. A roof window, which pivots
at the center, is designed for use in an attic room.
Some older skylights leak because of poorly sealed flashings. Others
drip because of unchecked condensation that collects when warm room
air comes in contact with a skylight's cold inner surface. Leaks can
usually be fixed by resealing the flashings. Condensation is tougher
to correct; it calls for improving a house's ventilation.
Newer skylights are virtually leak-free, thanks to rugged construction
and easy-to-install, integral flashings. They're also equipped with
channels that carry away condensation. Although some frames are solid
wood or aluminum, most new skylights are made of a combination of
metal, vinyl, and wood. The exterior frames tend to be aluminum cladding
with a durable finish; the part visible from inside is often made
of solid wood, plywood, or white vinyl.
Some skylights are glazed with acrylic or polycarbonate, others with
glass. Plastic versions are lightweight and economical and are often
used where a glass skylight could be easily broken. Because they're
molded, they come only in standard sizes and shapes: flat rectangles,
bubbles and domes, pyramids, and dormer models, for example. Some
skylights open a few inches to allow air circulation. They're usually
operated with a pole, but motorized versions are also available.
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