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letting natural light stream in, a skylight gives a room a feeling of
spaciousness and light. By reducing the need for electric lighting, it
can help trim energy bills.
A skylight is basically a window in a roof. Its frame is designed to
withstand the rigors of weather, and its flashing works with the roofing
material to seal out rain and heat.
Some older skylights leak because of poorly sealed flashings. Others
drip because of unchecked condensation that collects when warm room air
comes in contact with a skylight's cold inner surface. Leaks can usually
be fixed by resealing the flashings. Condensation is tougher to correct;
it calls for improving a house's ventilation.
Newer skylights are virtually leak-free, thanks to rugged construction
and easy-to- install,
integral flashings. They're also equipped with channels that carry away
condensation. Although some frames are solid wood or aluminum, most new
skylights are made of a combination of metal, vinyl, and wood. The
exterior frames tend to be aluminum cladding with a durable finish; the
part visible from inside is often made of solid wood, plywood, or white
vinyl.
Some skylights are glazed with acrylic or polycarbonate, others with
glass. Plastic versions are lightweight and economical and are often
used where a glass skylight could be easily broken. Because they're
molded, they come only in standard sizes and shapes: flat rectangles,
bubbles and domes, pyramids, and dormer models, for example. Some
skylights open a few inches to allow air circulation. They're usually
operated with a pole, but motorized versions are also available.
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