How to find the right Skylights & Roof Windows AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Skylights & Roof Windows
- Flashing kit matched to roofing
- Use the manufacturer's flashing kit made for your roofing type (asphalt shingle, tile or metal) and roof pitch. Almost all skylight leaks trace back to improvised or mismatched flashing.
- Sizing
- As a common energy guideline, skylight area should be roughly 5% of floor area in rooms with many windows and up to about 15% in rooms with few. Oversized skylights overheat rooms in summer and lose heat in winter.
- Glazing
- Look for low-E, low-SHGC glazing with a laminated inner pane. Overhead glass gets direct sun, and laminated glass stays in place if it breaks.
- Fixed, venting or tubular
- Venting units suit kitchens and baths. Tubular daylighting devices suit halls and closets without framing changes. The right type avoids cutting rafters for a space that only needs light.
- Curb vs deck-mounted
- Match deck-mount or curb-mount to the opening, and keep to the manufacturer's minimum pitch. Low-slope installs need curb-mounted units to shed water.
Brands that matter
- Velux: Dominant skylight brand, with matched flashing kits and Sun Tunnel tubular units.
- Fakro: Roof windows, including pivot and top-hung designs.
- Solatube: Specialist in tubular daylighting devices.
What to avoid
- Reusing old flashing or sealing with caulk alone
- Clear, non-low-E skylights on sun-facing roofs in hot climates
- Generic flashing not made for the specific unit