Skylight FAQ's

Skylight FAQs from NSS Exteriors in Chicago, IL

Answering Your Questions About Skylights

Skylights add natural lighting to your home or commercial building and also provide numerous other benefits. When you need an experienced team to install, repair, or replace skylights in Chicago, IL, turn to NSS Exteriors. We can help you choose the perfect skylights for your house or business. Allowing natural sunlight into your building can reduce your energy costs and increase your mood and productivity. We realize you likely have questions about skylights. That’s why we’ve prepared answers to some of the questions we seem to be receiving the most often. Browse through them, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions we didn’t get to. 

How Much Light Will a Skylight Add to a Room?

The amount of light a skylight adds to a room will vary based on the size of the room and of the skylight, as well as the type of skylight and the climate you live in. What a skylight will do, however, is add high-quality lighting to a room. Light from a skylight comes down from the ceiling and lights up all corners of a room evenly. While windows can cause shadows, skylights do not.

How Long Does it Take to Install a Skylight?

Each job is different, but standard skylight installation with no unusual circumstances can be done in as little as two or three hours per skylight. 

Do Skylights Open? Are They Safe? 

Some skylights open, and others don’t. Skylights are safer than vertical windows because they’re placed on the roof, where they aren’t easily accessible. The skylights that do open usually open a few inches, which prevents intruders from entering your home or building through them. They open just enough to provide fresh air. 

Do Skylights Leak?

Skylights don’t leak, but installations can. That’s why it’s so important to hire an experienced skylight installer like NSS Exteriors. Skylights from Velux offer a ten year no leak warranty, and our team can fix leaking skylights from any manufacturer.

What is so Special About a Solar-Powered Skylight?

As the leader in the skylight industry, Velux has created the new solar-powered Fresh Air skylight. These skylights get all their energy to open and close from the sun. That makes it super energy-efficient and reduces your electricity costs while doing your part for the environment.

What is the Difference Between Deck-Mounted & Curb-Mounted Skylights?

Deck-mounted skylights sit on your roof deck, and the interior shaft extends into the skylight. This creates a very finished look and is ideal for new installations on sloped roofs. On the other hand, curb-mounted skylights sit over a 2x4 or 2x6 curb. These skylights are used in retrofit situations to match the exact size of an old unit. Both types of skylights can be flashed with flashing kits and are available in venting and non-venting models. 

How Do I Clean a Skylight?

There are various ways to clean skylights, depending on your home or building. If your commercial building has multiple rows of skylights, you’ll want to start at the highest row and work your way down. Soak the skylight glass with a solution of soap and clean water. This will loosen dirt and debris. After that, use a mild, non-abrasive glass cleaner and a soft brush or non-abrasive applicator. If cleaning your skylights proves difficult, you can hire a professional cleaner or a skylight repair company to do the job. 

What’s the Most Common Reason Skylights Need to be Replaced?

Age is the most common reason skylights need to be replaced. It’s not uncommon to replace skylights that are at least 25 years old. With that being said, we also sometimes need to replace skylights that are less than five years old because another company did a poor job installing them. Our team can replace skylights that were not installed properly, and you can rest assured that each one we install will be done professionally. Skylights deteriorate and begin to leak or lose thermal installation. If you aren’t sure whether they need to be replaced, we’d be happy to provide a skylight inspection. 

Residential & Commercial Skylight Installation

NSS Exteriors can help you take advantage of natural lighting by adding skylights to your home or commercial building in Chicago. We carry and install leading brands such as Velux, Wasco, and Kalwall, and every job we do is customized to your unique needs. We work on all types of skylights, ensuring the perfect fit for your building. Our fabrication abilities are superior to our competitors, and we’ve established relationships with major manufacturers that allow us to offer the best prices. Contact us today to learn more and get a free quote.

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