Anyone who has been in a house or other space with a skylight knows how aesthetically pleasing a simple window to the sky can be. Installing a skylight in Ottawa means being able to look up at the starry night or watching the snow fall or enjoying natural sunlight even during the darkest months.
Of course, for every advantage of skylights, there is also a disadvantage. If you are pondering whether to install a skylight or several in your home, this resource will discuss some of the pros and cons to keep in mind.
Pros of a Skylight in Ottawa
Skylights and rooftop windows have a number of pros. Here’s four reasons to add a skylight to your home:
1. Increases Natural Light
The greatest benefit of skylights is letting in natural light. In places like Ottawa, where the sky can be cloudy or rainy or snowy, that little bit of natural light can do wonders for your home. That is why skylights are common in spaces that receive little natural light, like the bathroom or the hallway.
All that natural light can help brighten your home, reducing the need for electricity and your overall utility bill.
2. Opens Up The Space
Another benefit of natural light is the perception of bigger space. When small spaces are brightened, they look larger. When paired with mirrors, windows, and appropriate paint on the walls, you can make even cramped spaces seem much more airy and enjoyable.
3. Warmer Rooms & Better Ventilation
During the colder months, having a bit of solar heat to heat your house is a welcomed bonus. Sunlight, as mentioned early, can reduce the cost of your energy bill. Of course, you may also need to combat heat loss, depending on where the skylight is located and how big the window actually is. Of course, you can discuss the best option with a professional to see where balance can be struck.
Similarly, you can purchase skylights that can be opened up, either manually or via remote control. This allows for better ventilation. If your house naturally gets hot in the summertime, having a place for that heat to escape come can be a tremendous boon.
4. Increased Value
Cosmetic additions and upgrades to your house add equity. In other words, if you are planning to sell your house later on, a skylight is a great way to increase the resale value, ensuring you make a profit when the time comes.
Cons of a Skylight in Ottawa
Now, let’s have a look at reasons why you may want to avoid installing a skylight.
1. Energy Loss
We hinted to this earlier, but skylights can be energy leaks. If the skylight is installed incorrectly or is not properly sized for your roof, it can end up being far more costly than anticipated. This is because you will be losing heat in the winter or cool air in the summer. If the window isn’t insulated or tinted, you might end up spending more on air conditioning costs, too.
Fortunately, this issue can be resolved by choosing insulated skylights and hiring a professional contractor for the installation.
2. Expensive Addition
Installation and maintenance of skylights can be expensive. Depending on the type of skylight you have chosen, the price can increase greatly. However, using a cheaper model or attempting to install the unit yourself when you are inexperienced can cause damages that are far more expensive to repair.
3. Sun Damage
Skylights are meant to let in the sun—but that’s not always a good thing. Prolonged exposure to sun can damage wallpaper, paint, carpeting, and the furniture. Painting on the walls might fade.
You can reduce sun damage by purchasing filtered window panes.
Conclusion
Do you need more sunlight in your life? A skylight could be the answer. While installing a skylight in Ottawa can be a huge investment, there are plenty of reasons why you should. Consider the list carefully, and if you still have questions about skylights, contact us!
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