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One of the best ways to add natural light to a room is also one of the most frequently overlooked.
Modern skylights let homeowners add balanced light, beauty and a sense of space to most any room in a home. Yet myths about skylights sometimes prevent homeowners from having them installed.
For instance, research shows that many people mistakenly believe that a skylight is bound to leak at some point. But industry experts say preventing leaks is simply a matter of proper installation and using flashing matched to the unit being installed.
"Skylights from reputable manufacturers are built to be totally dependable, just as are quality windows," says Joe Patrick, senior product manager with VELUX America, a leading skylight manufacturer. "Anytime a hole is cut in a roof or frame of a home, the potential for air or moisture entering exists. But proper installation techniques and materials can take care of those concerns," he explains.
Controlling Heat And Light
Another point often lost on homeowners is that skylights offer as many or more accessories to control heat and light as do vertical windows. There are Venetian blinds to adjust the light and cellular shades to diffuse it. Lightblock shades can totally or partially block light, which is especially useful in bedrooms, while exterior Heatblock awnings can prevent heat from entering rooms during hot weather but admit needed heat on colder days. The latest technology is electrochromic glass in skylights that can be darkened or lightened electronically by remote control without blocking the view of the sky.
Saving Energy
"And even before accessories are considered," Patrick says, "skylight glazings are among the best in the industry. Quality units employ double-pane construction with argon gas between low-E coated panes for control of heat gain or loss. These glazings control up to 83 percent of the sun's fade-causing rays and resist condensation so well that a home can contain up to 50 percent more humidity before condensation will occur." There are even impact glass models available that meet the strictest code requirements for wind-borne debris protection in hurricane-prone and other high-wind areas.
Saving Money
Another good reason to consider upgrading existing skylights or adding new units is to qualify for a tax credit of up to $200 under the Energy Tax Incentives Act.
Details are available at www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm.
For information on skylight selection and the benefits of natural light, call (800) 283-2831 or visit www.veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information, you may visit either www.nfrc.org or www.efficientwindows.org.
Modern skylights offer dependability and energy efficiency. |
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