WELCOME A SLICE OF SKY

Image Gallery Adding skylights will change the entire atmosphere and mood of a room. ISTOCKPHOTO/KIERAN MITHANI

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Give your home a window to the heavens.

A skylight can bring subtle, natural illumination to a light-starved room. In addition, a well-planned installation can provide warmth, ventilation, and a fresh new look to nearly any part of your house.

Small spaces are especially suited to natural overhead lighting for two very good reasons. First, properly directed daylight gives even a cramped area a welcome, open feeling. And, just as important, a skylight's out-of-the-way location allows roomplanning flexibility and privacy too.

In the past, buying a skylight was a risky proposition. Units intended for new construction were improperly used in retrofit installations. Inferior glazing plastics showed their true colors after only a few years. And, worst of all, heat loss and condensation buildup often offset any aesthetic gains.

Most of today's offerings, though, are practical and attractive, but there's enough choice to leave plenty of room for confusion. By being able to recognize the features and differences in skylight products, you'll be able to match your purchase to your needs.

One of the first considerations is the mounting system you'll be using. Essentially, your choice will depend upon the skill and experience of the installer. A contractor, or a seasoned do-it-yourself homeowner, would most likely choose a curb-mounting model to save money; this type usually has an insulated glazing frame, but the curb (a box around the skylight to raise it off the roof slightly) is not included. That part must be built into the roof during installation.

A far better choice for the nonprofessional is the self flashing (or self-curbing) model, which includes a built-in curb and flashing. Because of the extra components, this type of skylight is more expensive, but that disad vantage is offset by its ease of installation and the fact that the curbs are generally engi neered to reduce heat conduction and condensation.

There's also a third type, the flush-mount. It's simply a frameless plastic dome with an integral flange at the perimeter. This is among the least expensive types of skylights, but it's the most susceptible to thermal losses and moisture build-up unless an insulating glazing layer is included. It's also easier to install during home construction than it is to place it into an existing roof as a retrofit.

Once you've established the mounting requirements, you'll need to consider your glazing choices. Acrylic plastic is the most popular because it's tougher than glass, is insulative, and can be molded into virtually any shape. More important, it resists discoloration. Polycarbonate thermoplastic glazing has remarkable impact resistance, as well as the other desirable features of plastic. But unless it's coated with a UV-resistant material, it can lose its clarity with age. Most expensive is tempered glass, which is scratchresistant and crystal clear. But because glass is somewhat fragile, manufacturers suggest using it on steep-roof installations, where impact damage is less of a concern.

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