Is your home’s infrastructure aging? Do you plan to remain in your home for the long term, or do you intend to sell it within the next 1 to 5 years? A new fixed or vented skylight can address these concerns. Whether you need a skylight to enhance your home’s ambiance or as a feature to add marketability, Straight Line Roofing & Construction provides expertise to ensure the right fit.
The Benefits Of Installing A Skylight
For most homeowners, adding one or more skylights to an existing home offers far more advantages than drawbacks:
Easier Access To Natural Light
A home in a shady neighborhood or with relatively minimal or consistent access to sunlight can feel dank and dreary, even on a clear day. A skylight offers immediate, unimpeded access to natural daylight, brightening indoor spaces, including hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, utility rooms, walk-in closets, and any spaces lacking window access.
Enhanced Visual Ambiance
Realtors understand that perception is everything. Excessively bulky furniture and unnecessary clutter can make a larger room appear cramped, while a smaller room might feel spacious with the right-sized furniture and less disarray. A skylight can also improve a room’s visual appeal, making it seem more open and inviting. Most homeowners appreciate this feature.
Ideal Privacy Solution
Many newer homes are situated in neighborhoods with minimal or shared yard spaces, making privacy concerns much more vital. A skylight provides an optimal means to access natural light without jeopardizing solitude. In these settings, many homeowners opt to install a skylight in a bedroom, hallway, bathroom, or kitchen (or some combination of these living areas).
Increased Home Value
Real estate analysis suggests that a skylight increases a home’s value between 1-3%. For a $400,000 home, this benefit could add $4,000-$12,000 of value by simply adding a skylight in a strategically placed location to improve the home’s access to natural light. If you plan to sell your home within the next 1 to 5 years, a skylight could be a very worthwhile investment.
Meaningful Energy Savings
Electric bills (and even heating and cooling expenses) continue to spiral upward. A skylight can lessen electricity usage. Additionally, an Energy Star-certified skylight might cut energy costs by 5-15%. These savings add up over time. A homeowner may annually realize hundreds of dollars in reduced consumption expenses just by installing a skylight.
Mood & Health Improvements
Natural sunlight exposure has evidence-based support for enhancing a person’s physical, mental, and physiological well-being. UV radiation triggers vitamin D and melatonin production while also lowering depression (up to 22%), decreasing stress (as much as 21%), reducing seasonal affective disorder symptoms (up to 35%), and improving focus by 15 to 56%.
What Is A Non-Vented (Or Fixed) Skylight?
A non-vented or fixed skylight is sealed and cannot be opened or closed. It is the most commonly installed skylight for residential purposes. Homeowners add one or more fixed skylights to access ample natural sunlight while reducing energy and electricity consumption. Typically, fixed skylights seal tighter and experience less moisture intrusion or excess condensation than vented skylights. If air circulation is a crucial consideration, a fixed skylight may not be suitable. However, a fixed skylight is generally 30-50% less expensive.
Understanding Features Of Vented Skylights
A vented skylight can open and close to permit air exchange while still delivering natural light. In rooms where hot, humid air accumulates, a vented skylight offers a particular advantage over a fixed skylight. For example, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms can meaningfully benefit from a vented skylight. Many vented skylights are designed for manual operation. However, manufacturers are increasingly producing vented skylights for electronic remote control or smart home integration. Ultimately, this skylight is ideal for energy efficiency.
Are Vented Skylights Worth It?
Although a homeowner might pay a modest premium for a vented skylight, consider these financial benefits:
An Investment, Not A Sunk Cost
Many times, it can feel like a home “improvement” is not a meaningful investment but merely an unrecoverable expense. However, a skylight is different. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates that a homeowner will usually recover from 60-75% of skylight installation costs when selling their home. A vented skylight might even provide a higher financial recovery because it is generally in more demand (compared to a fixed skylight) by prospective homebuyers.
Tax Benefit For A New Skylight
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers a $1,200 federal tax credit for homeowners installing a qualified skylight between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2032. For example, if a homeowner adds an Energy Star-certified skylight in a given year, they can receive a one-time tax credit of as much as $1,200. If, in a different year, the homeowner installs another skylight (that meets the tax program criteria), they again could access a one-time tax credit of up to $1,200.
Trust The Skylight Installation Specialist
Homeowners in Sacramento and surrounding areas (including Cameron Park, CA) can trust the experts at Straight Line Roofing & Construction to guide them through the skylight installation process. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.
