A Brief Introduction to Skylights

Skylights are an attractive addition to both new and existing homes. They’re an excellent source of natural light, and a great way to make your home look more spacious. However, they don’t come without their potential problems.

In this post, we discuss the pros and cons of skylights and how to keep yours well maintained.

What is a skylight?

A skylight is any overhead window that allows natural daylight into your property. They are built into the roof, creating an open space and letting in an abundance of light. Skylights have been a feature in properties for over 2000 years, with the oldest skylights being found in Ancient Roman buildings.

In those days, skylights were seen as a sign of wealth, luxury and opulence, installed on religious, royal or ceremonial buildings. Today, however, skylights are much more popular in all types of property.

Pros and cons of skylights

Of course, just like all other building features, skylights have their fair share of pros and cons…

Pros

The biggest benefit of skylights is that they let in plenty of natural light, which gives spaces a more open, airy feel. The addition of a skylight can make small rooms appear much larger, make dark rooms brighter and make humid rooms airier and better ventilated. Modern skylights can also improve the aesthetics of your home, giving it a contemporary, stylish look. Another major benefit is an emergency fire escape which could save lives.

Cons

Despite the obvious advantages of skylights, they can cause homeowners some grievances. Low quality or old skylights, including glass or iron fittings, can cause UV damage on furniture, wallpaper or flooring in the room. They are also prone to condensation and leaks. Even well-fitted, modern skylights can leak over time if they’re not maintained.

How to maintain skylights

If you’ve weighed up the pros and cons and decided that a skylight would suit your home, there are a few maintenance factors to consider. Firstly, as skylights are highly prone to leaks, you need to make sure you get regular roofing inspections to prevent property damage.

Consider the materials and installation of the skylight too. Velux fittings are the most commonly used option, but are prone to installation mistakes which can result in leaks or condensation.

Poorly installed flashing around the skylight can also contribute to the likelihood of leaks, so it’s important to ensure everything is properly installed, maintained and regularly inspected.

Speak to an expert

If you’re considering having skylights (Velux windows) installed, it’s important to do your research and make sure your home is suitable. Many companies may claim to know what they’re doing but when it comes to it, leave you with a costly and damaging roof feature.

The team at DPR Roofing in Leeds have over 30 years’ experience maintaining properties in the local area. We can carry out comprehensive roof inspections, checking that your roof is suitable for a skylight or ensuring your skylight has been properly installed and maintained.