Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and for good reason. With our clear blue skies and bright sun rays, many Florida homeowners want to enjoy the full scope of the natural sunlight in their homes. For this reason, skylights are becoming a popular choice for homeowners. But what are the pros and cons of skylights? Is it the right choice for your home? Today, we’ll answer those questions and walk you through everything you should know about installing a skylight!
What Is a Skylight?
A skylight is simply a window that’s built into your roof rather than your walls. Usually, it has a hatch design to open and close it instead of a sliding panel. You may also hear a skylight referred to as a sunroof.
The Pros & Cons of Skylights
If you’re considering adding a skylight to your home, there are several things you’ll want to weigh before making the decision. Skylights have a host of advantages, but they also come with some cons. Knowing both the pros and cons will help you make the best choice for your home.
The Benefits of Skylights
There are plenty of reasons why you would want a skylight for your home. We’ll start with the pros of skylights.
1. Natural Lighting
The biggest benefit of a skylight is access to an abundance of natural lighting. Because the skylight is designed to capture the natural light of the sun, you will notice your room is a lot brighter without harsh artificial lighting. You may even notice you get more daylight in your room during the winter months since the skylight will catch the setting rays in the evening.
2. Energy Savings
Because of all the light skylights let into a room, you won’t have to use lamps or ceiling lights as often, or at all, during the day. Plus, skylights do produce a bit of heat, so during the cooler months in Gainesville, you can enjoy the warm sun from the comfort of your living room. Both these factors help to contribute to a more green lifestyle and potential energy bill savings.
3. Enhanced Design
Skylights offer a lot of visual appeal to whatever room you install one in. Not only does the natural light brighten a room, but because of how a skylight is installed, you may also notice the room feels more spacious and open. There are also plenty of unique design options for a skylight to help make this feature fit your personal style and home’s aesthetic.
4. Increased Home Value
Your roof has a lot of potential to increase your home’s value, including adding a skylight. While we wouldn’t necessarily suggest getting a skylight or installing a new roof with one just to increase the value of your home, if you’ve already been thinking about getting one, the increased home value could be a benefit you enjoy down the road!
5. Fresh Air
In rooms where windows are typically not an option, a skylight is a great way to get fresh air and ventilation into a room. For example, a standard window wouldn’t work for a bathroom, but a skylight over your shower could be a great addition!
The Disadvantages of Skylights
While all the benefits may sound amazing, there are some serious drawbacks to consider. You’ll want to determine for yourself whether the benefits outweigh the negatives with skylights.
1. Cleaning & Maintenance
Due to their positioning on your roof, skylights are notoriously difficult to clean and maintain. They’re too high on your roof for you to safely clean them or try to make a quick repair, so you’ll almost always need a professional to keep your skylight in working condition and clean. Installing a skylight where there’s not a lot of tree cover is going to be your best bet in minimizing the need for cleaning or repairs.
2. Overheating
The Florida sun is hot, pushing our summer temperatures to the high 90s. Unfortunately, a skylight may allow this heat to seep into your home during the summer and cause your AC to work overtime. The only way to prevent this drawback is by getting skylight shades during your installation so that you can cover the skylight when your room is getting too hot.
3. Ventilation & Insulation Troubles
During installation, it can be hard to ensure your skylight has the proper ventilation and insulation needed to protect your home. You may notice humidity getting in during the summer and your heat escaping in the winter. Increased moisture due to poor insulation can also put your home and roof at risk of needing repairs in the future.
4. Leak Risk
Similar to ventilation and insulation troubles, skylights have a major risk of leakage. Whether due to poor installation or damage, a skylight puts your home at risk of water or rain getting into your home, and this can be a pain to repair.
5. Hurricane Damage
Florida is prone to hurricanes, and hurricanes are known to damage or even break windows—skylights are no exception. In fact, this risk is so big that government agencies and universities in Florida do not recommend skylights for Florida homes. However, if you’re not along the coast and take the proper precautions during hurricane season, you can still have a skylight—you’ll just want to be aware of the risk factors and stay away from your skylight during a storm.
Create Your Perfect Roof with McFall Residential Roofing
If you’re ready to install a new roof with a skylight, McFall Residential Roofing is here to give you the roof of your dreams! Our team is more than happy to walk through the pros and cons of a skylight for your home and provide our advice on whether a skylight is a good fit for your home. We’re also experienced in finding the best positioning for your skylight to reduce maintenance costs and repairs. At McFall, we’ll get it right the first time!