Skylights that open a room to cascading natural light can transform any interior space, making rooms brighter and more welcoming.
The popularity of skylights that open a room to outside light has increased dramatically as architects and designers look for ways to create large living spaces with open sight lines in newer homes.
In existing homes, owners may want to create more natural light in dark, secluded areas by adding skylights. But the desire to add skylights may not mesh with the structural challenges homeowners may face, along with the expense of installing them.
If you’re building a new home and are considering skylights, or you’re an existing homeowner who may be thinking about adding skylights to your home, it would be a good idea to seek professional fenestration guidance to determine if skylights are the right decision for your project.
Northeast Architectural has been helping professional builders, architects, and homeowners with custom window and door installations in the tri-state area for more than 25 years. Our knowledge of building supply companies in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut gives us access to some of the finest window and door manufacturers in the nation.
The team at Northeast Architectural are specialists in the window and door industry, with extensive product knowledge, and decades of experience working hand-in-hand with structural engineers, architects, and designers to plan and execute window and door installations throughout the Northeast.
When deciding if skylights are right for your project, homeowners, especially existing homeowners, should climb into the attic, take a look around, and then answer these questions.
- How is your roof framed? If your roof is framed with trusses, you’ll need to determine if the framing is 24-inches on center, which is typical for most newer construction. If the framing is 24-inches on center, a 2-foot-wide skylight can be installed. If you’re considering a larger skylight and need to cut into trusses, you’ll have to hire a structural engineer to spec out alternative framing.
- What’s in the way? If you know where you would like a skylight, you’ll need to see if something is in the way. It’s quite possible you’ll need to relocate your heating and air conditioning unit, electrical wiring, or possibly plumbing. All these changes can quickly drive up the price of your skylight.
- What exactly is a chase? A chase is the passageway or tunnel that leads from the skylight, through the attic, and to the opening in the ceiling of the room. Light from outside can’t get there without it. A chase will need to be framed and covered with drywall.
- Is your home too old for a skylight? In older homes, especially ones with tile shingles, or roofs with extreme pitches, a skylight may look out of place. You should also consider whether the skylight will be seen from the front of the house. A skylight may look out-of-place on a historic, older home.
If you’re determined to have skylights that open areas of your home to natural light, meet with one of the design specialists at Northeast Architectural. We have the expertise and product knowledge to guide you through the process of selecting the type of windows that are best for your project. You can also take advantage of our years of experience with other building supply companies in New Jersey to find the materials and supplies you’ll need for your project.
Call Northeast Architectural today at 732.876.4112 to schedule a free consultation, or visit https://northeastco.com/architectural/ for more information.