A new skylight can make a great aesthetic addition to a room, however, there are several things you should know before installing one.
Skylights allow in up to 30% more light than a regular window due to their placement on your roof, which can save you money on your energy bills. However, it’s natural to be concerned about the installation process – you will be cutting a hole in your roof after all! We run down 3 important things you need to know before installing a new skylight.
Building regulations and planning permission
Usually, you will not need to seek planning permission for a new skylight for your home, however, it’s important to check that the skylight fits under permitted Building Regulations. This is important because a skylight that is too heavy for your ceiling could be a major health and safety hazard. We go into further detail regarding necessary planning permission for skylights here.
Fixed skylight or vented
As the names suggest, a fixed skylight does not give you the option to open and close it, whilst a vented skylight does. When choosing between the two there are a number of factors to consider, including your budget and requirements.
Fixed skylights are completely sealed, which means leaks are extremely uncommon, whilst vented skylights can present more of an issue in this area; however, vented skylights give you more control over ventilation and heat. This feature comes with a cost, as vented skylights are usually more expensive than their fixed counterparts.
If you have a lower budget and it is not a practical requirement to open and close your roof windows, then a fixed skylight is probably the better option for you.
Which installation contractor you will use
As long as you choose the right skylight installation company, you shouldn’t need to worry too much about the technicalities, as they should be able to advise you further. Look for an installation company with years of experience and positive reviews from clients to back it up – you should then be safe when it comes to the installation side of things.
We have a huge range of skylights and rooflights available to suit all requirements. Browse our rooflights today!
