If you are building your new home in Pocatello or planning to renovate the existing building, you should definitely consider adding skylights. Skylights enhance aesthetics, boost natural lighting, and improve the overall resale value of the house. Before rethinking the design of your home with skylights, consider the preparatory work, timeline, and associated costs. The best bet is to work with a top glass installer in Pocatello, such as nuvuglass.com, to get an overview. For your help, here are some essential details.
Types of skylights
There are various options in designs. The first one is a fixed skylight, which doesn’t have an opening but allows natural light to come in, especially in the living room and hallways. Next, there are vented skylights, which can be opened electronically or manually. Besides adding light to a room, vented designs also ensure better air circulation. You will also find tubular skylights, which are added to smaller areas, such as bathrooms, for extra natural light. Depending on the roof designs and overall architecture of your home, the installer may offer custom ideas.
Installation of skylights
- Consultation: Once you meet with a contractor to discuss the project, they will send technicians to inspect the house and determine if the idea is feasible. They will also share design, placement, and feature options. In some cases, you may need to do roof repairs before skylights are installed. The initial consultation and planning can take about a week or two.
- Permits: Next, the installer will check whether the project is in sync with Pocatello building codes, and in most cases, additional permits are required. Installers may design skylights or order them from a vendor, which can take some time. The whole process can take two or three weeks, and in the meantime, the technicians may do the roof work.
- Installation: Installing skylights can take a day or more, depending on the type. For instance, if you are getting vented units, the installation team must also work on wiring and other things. The structural framing and additional tasks may add to the timeline.
- Post-Installation: After the skylights are installed, technicians may need three to four more days to finish the interior trim and paintwork. They will usually complete the final inspection at this point.
Skylight installation preparation
The installation process will start after you have completed the preparation work. The technicians may ask you to remove furniture and other valuable stuff from the installation area. You may also need to take steps to protect flooring and turn off HVAC units. If you have pets or kids at home, you may have to keep them away until the installation is done.
Other consideration
When you talk to the installer, ask them about glass options. For instance, if you want to prevent heat loss during winter, you may benefit from double or triple-pane skylights. Also, ask the technicians if they will use insulated flashing and the best placement areas. Skylights facing south often get good sunlight during winter but may cause heating problems in summer. For kitchens and studios, north-facing skylights are often better. Decisions also depend on the overall layout of the property.
What about the costs?
Fixed skylights cost the lowest, depending on the materials used. Simple skylights can cost $1,500 or more. Based on whether you choose manual or electric venting, vented designs can cost double or more. Tubular skylights for smaller rooms cost the lowest but don’t add as much natural light. Custom installations can be expensive, and installers can only offer an estimate after an initial assessment.
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