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How Skylights Affect Roofing
Aug 15, 2019

The stars are a wondrous creation that most of us can only marvel at. They shine every night, inspiring humans to name shapes and patterns that they see regularly with such luminescent names such as Orion, Cassiopeia, Gemini, and Canis Major. These patterns in stars, known as constellations, have even inspired myths and legends (or myths and legends have inspired constellations, however you want to view it). Their beauty is captivating, and we love to stare at the stars.

Many people stare at the stars by installing skylights and/or windows in their roofs. This allows them to lay in bed at night, and enjoy the light show comfortably. Throw in some shooting stars (a.k.a. meteors), and the night couldn’t be more perfect.

But how do skylights affect roofing?  Texas Star Roofing  in Plano, Texas, will examine that question and more in this blog post. We specialize in commercial and residential roof repair and roof replacement services. Contact us today to get started!

What Is a Skylight?

Skylights are in essence windows in your roof. Their main purpose is to let in light, which was very important in the days before electricity was commonplace. Nowadays, they add light, but they also add an aesthetic value to your home as well.

Types of Skylights

  • Open skylight . This is basically a hole in the roof. The best example of this is the Pantheon in Rome, which is in the shape of an oculus — a must-see for travelers.
  • Fixed skylight . A fixed skylight is usually glazed over, meaning it allows light to come through, but you cannot see through it. They also do not open. These types of skylights are popular on RVs and campers.
  • Operable skylight . Better known as a roof window, these skylights can be opened to allow for ventilation, airflow, and maximum amounts of light to stream through.
  • Retractable skylight . As the name implies, this type of skylight can be opened and closed completely (whereas the operable skylight usually is fixed only on a hinge) for complete viewing of the sky and stars.

Benefits of Skylights

  • Allows more natural lighting
  • Allows for more solar heating
  • Allows for air ventilation
  • Saves on utility costs
  • Adds aesthetic value
  • Can increase the value of your home
  • Can improve your mood
  • Reduces mold build-up
  • Get more vitamin D
  • Can improve productivity
  • Allows for stargazing
  • And so much more!

How Do Skylights Affect Roofing?

As we stated earlier, skylights are essentially covered holes in your roof. When you have holes in your roof, even if sealed, you have the potential for leaks. Texas Star Roofing in Plano, Texas, offers the following advice for skylight installations.

  • Don’t DIY skylight installations . Think about it, you are cutting a hole in your roof to put in a window. A roof is not just a piece of plywood. A roof has many components and parts that must be taken into consideration when installing a skylight. Ask yourself if you really have the know-how to install a skylight without completely ruining your roof and having to call in your local roofing company, Texas Star Roofing, for a roof repair. Remember you want to add value to your home, not lose money on this project.
  • Choosing the right location for your skylight . Sure, a skylight can go anywhere on your roof. However, you need to consider where you’ll get the most value in your skylight placement. You’ll have to consider your roofing material and where the rafters are in your roof. You want to make this skylight installation easy without having to compromise any structural integrity of your roof. Furthermore, the more complicated the skylight installation, the more expensive it’ll be. Think about how much sunlight you want to add to your room. Too much sunlight can increase the solar heating allowed in, making for really warm summer days. Consider the angle of your roof for optimal placement. A professional roofer such as  Texas Star Roofing  in Plano can offer expert advice on skylight placement. Call us today!
  • Choosing the right glass for your skylight . Remember that glass breaks. You’ll want to consider the trees around your skylight in order to approximate the probability of your skylight breaking in the case of a severe storm. Hail can be a risk factor as well if you live in an area that tends to get golf-ball-sized hail storms. Not all glass is created equal and not all glass breaks the same either. Tempered glass shatters and breaks and falls to the ground in small, smooth pieces. Laminated glass is designed to keep the glass contained should it shatter. It has a film over it to keep the broken glass pieces together. Laminated glass is usually the more popular choice for this safety reason. Also, consider where you’ll put furniture, mainly your bed, since the likelihood of you being asleep during a breakage is greater than if you were at the kitchen table.
  • Features of skylights . Do you want a large skylight or a small one? Do you want a retractable skylight or a fixed skylight? Do you want a curb mounted skylight or a deck mounted skylight? Curb mounted are skylights that are contained in a box structure. Deck mounted skylights are integrated into the roof and tend to lie flat. These are more recent design models. There are a lot of options for skylights. Texas Star Roofing in Plano recommends you research skylights and narrow it down. Consulting with those who will do your skylight installation for you is a good idea. They can give you a better idea of which would fit your goals better, be more energy-efficient, and be cheaper to install.

The Key to Skylight Installation

Texas Star Roofing  in Plano wants to emphasize that the key to skylight installation is ensuring no leaks occur in, near, or around your skylight. Not only can leaks drip into your home, becoming a pain, but leaks can affect the structural integrity of your entire roof, leading to costly roof repairs.

When having skylights installed in your roof, a professional roofer should do the job. Flashing needs to be installed around the skylight and proper sealants used. One of the consequences of a poorly installed skylight can be the build-up of condensation in between the glass panes of your skylight. This can be caused by many factors, including poor quality of glass, a broken seal, or other problems with the flashing and components around the skylight. This condensation can leak either into your home or into your roof and should be inspected by your local roofing company, Texas Star Roofing in Plano.

Texas Star Roofing in the Greater Dallas Area

Texas Star Roofing has over 20 years of residential and commercial roof installations, roof repairs, and roof maintenance in the greater Dallas area. We take pride in what we do and always put our customers’ needs first. We offer dozens of roofing materials to choose from so you can customize your residential or commercial roof how you see fit, from the style to the color. We offer free roofing inspections since many people don’t know where to begin when it comes to roofing, so have no idea what could be wrong (if anything) with their residential roofs. When you partner with us, you can rest assured you are getting the best roofing service for the best price.

Texas Star Roofing is the best local roofer in Dallas. We can offer advice on roofing materials, roofing styles, and skylight placement. We understand you are relying on us, your expert roofers. We will answer all of your questions and explain all of our roofing methods, as well as why we are doing what we are doing. Know that you can call us anytime to ask anything. We love hearing from our customers!  Call today for all your roofing needs!

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