Skylights
Skylights are a popular option for Toms River roofing professionals because they allow significantly more natural light into a room than a vertical window will. If you want a leak-proof skylight that won’t increase your energy bills, it’s important to choose a skylight that’s designed to meet the requirements of your specific roof type and that’s manufactured from high-quality materials.
About 20 years ago, roof slope was one of the main factors you had to consider when you were thinking about adding a skylight to your home. Today, customized flashing allows just about any roof to be fitted with a leak-proof skylight. Truss-framed roofs, however, may only be able to accommodate narrow skylights up to 2 feet wide. If you want a skylight that’s wider than that on a roof framed with trusses, you’ll need to bring in a structural engineer to consult with your roofer.
In the old days, skylights were a permeable exchange medium that allowed warmth to escape during winter months while letting in so much unwanted heat that they put air conditioners into overdrive during the summer. Today’s skylights are made from glass or plastic that’s been tempered with heat-absorbing tints or low-emissive films. Glass skylights can also be manufactured by combining several layers, which are insulated with translucent film that’s engineered to act as a thermal barrier.
Adding a skylight to your roof may be particularly complicated if you have an attic. You’ll have to make sure that your proposed skylight doesn’t interfere with any HVAC, wiring or plumbing pipes that may run through the attic. You may also need a chimney-like structure called a chase, which channels light from the roof to ceilings below the attic.
Skylights should be inspected regularly whenever your roof is being inspected. Raised curb designs and customized flashing mean that today’s skylights are far more water-resistant than older models, but leaks can still develop, particularly if cracks have appeared around seals, caulking or flashing. Make sure to check the drywall around your skylight for any evidence of bulging or staining that might indicate a skylight leak.
In order to let in the maximum amount of light, skylights will need to be washed regularly with a mild solution of soapy water. While this is a simple job, if you’re not comfortable climbing around on your roof, it’s a task best left to a roofer. Skylights can also crack if they’re hit by branches, hail or windblown debris. The experts at Fortified Roofing, Toms River roofers can answer your questions about roof repairs or new roofs.
Roofing term provided by Fortified Roofing, Toms River roofers:
Chase
A chase is a chimney-like structure that conducts light from the roof where your skylight is installed. It runs through the attic to the ceiling of the room that you want to illuminate. Chases are usually finished with drywall and painted.
Toms River roofers from Fortified Roofing answer a question:
Can a skylight be installed on a truss roof?
Skylights can be installed on truss roofs, but if the skylight is wider than 24 inches, a structural engineer should be consulted. Roof trusses are specially engineered to support your other roofing materials, so any modification that cuts through a truss may put the structural integrity of your roof into jeopardy.
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If you would like to ask a question regarding roofers, a new roof installation, roof leak repairs, skylight options or gutters and downspouts please contact Fortified Roofing today!
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