Calidad Industries have been manufacturing, supplying, and installing skylights for over 35 years and over this time have identified some important considerations for our customers when making a skylight purchasing decision. In this guide we will share our knowledge and insider advice to help you navigate the many options available when making your skylight decision.
Whether you are an established homeowner looking to transform your homes living space by providing more light and potentially improved ventilation or a new home buyer considering how you can maximise natural light into your new home whilst also creating a “wow” factor, then hopefully this guide will provide the knowledge and resource needed to make an informed decision that creates a bright, welcoming and aesthetically appealing outcome for your home.
Navigating the many skylight options available to you in today’s digital shopping market can become very confusing and daunting once you enter the minefield of information available on-line. Remember, you can always pick up the phone and speak to an industry leading and knowledgeable supplier like Calidad Industries to ease the pain and smooth the process!
To help you with streamlining the process we have compiled the following guide to buying a skylight that complies with Australian Standards and will fulfil your budgetary and performance requirements if installed by a certified skylight installer in accordance with manufacturer and Skylight Industry Association installation requirements.
- What area of the home is the Skylight needed? Assess the requirements for the space.
Before jumping into shopping for a skylight it is important to evaluate the space you are wanting to brighten up and determine your objectives for installing a skylight or skylights. Will a tubular skylight be sufficient? Do you want round, square or rectangular at the ceiling? A dedicated light shaft with a diffuser to spread the light around the space or an open Gyprock light shaft at the ceiling with a roof window skylight on the roof creating a view to the sky?
Factors such as room layout, décor colour, wall colours, as well as any specific aesthetic or other requirements you may have are important considerations which will impact the ultimate outcome. Dark internal colours will absorb light rather than bouncing it around the space!
Are you wanting to just brighten up a dim or dark space, enhance ventilation or create a real design feature that provides a focal point and “wow’ factor within the home? Clearly understanding your objective and desired outcome will guide the skylight decision making process and provide critical information once you consult with your chosen skylight supplier.
- Research the Skylight options available BUT make sure that the skylight has been independently tested by an authorised testing company and comply to required Australian Standards.
There is a wide variety of skylight products available to suit your objective and desired outcome. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the options available to best fulfil your need whilst also considering design features, energy ratings and thermal performance, glazing options and other available accessories like daylight control (blinds or electronic dimmers) or ventilation.
- Installation Requirements
Can determine the outcome and restrict choice!
Even though you have done your research and chosen the skylight you believe will best meet your objective and fulfil your need, installation requirements can change everything!
Installing a skylight is an involved process and will determine what design and size of skylight can be installed where you want it. If you can be flexible in terms of skylight location at the ceiling this will provide greater installation options, however, important factors such as direction of the roof part on the roof, distance from roof to ceiling, skylight design, light shaft type and diffuser type if applicable will all impact light capture and transfer into the space below as will internal décor and wall colours within the space.
Roof and ceiling structure along with services within the roof space (plumbing, electrical, A/C etc.) will all impact upon size and shape of the skylight that can be installed. Another important consideration for skylight installation is whether there are solar panels, solar HWS or any other services up on the roof which will restrict roof space and direction for skylight installation. If any of these services are on the roof directly above where you want your skylight at the ceiling, then the skylight will not be able to be installed unless the services can be relocated.
Make sure you choose a reputable skylight company with experienced and Skylight Industry Association certified installers whenever possible.
If you are unsure about installation requirements, consult with a skylight expert such as Calidad Industries and obtain a “free” supply and installation estimate if required.
- Have a telephone consultation and book a home visit if needed.
If you are confused and unsure about which skylight option may best fulfil your needs or you do not understand installation requirements or the skylight selection process is overwhelming you, then contact Calidad Industries for advice, a price estimate and a home visit if required.
Your skylight project can be discussed with your objectives clearly explained along with as much detail as can be provided regarding installation considerations outlined in point 3 above. This will provide valuable information to Calidad Industries for them to provide the best skylight solution for your home as well as indicative pricing.
- Skylight Flashing
Not all skylight flashings are the same and the flashing is a critical component in ensuring water tightness of any skylight installation. Of course, the capability and expertise of the skylight installer will determine watertightness and the outcome of any installation.
Some flashings are made from plastic or flat metal without the necessary pressings, gutters, foam inserts and other design features to divert water away and down the roof. Flashings should be designed to service the roof profile (tile, corrugated, deck or other) that the skylight is being installed onto, and some skylights will require a minimum 15degree roof pitch for installation. Flat roofs may require a specific flat roof skylight along with custom flashing and back flashing to minimise the chance of any water ingress. Some skylights can be installed onto flat or pitched roofs.
It is recommended that when installing roof window skylights onto metal roofs that custom flashings are used to suit the roof sheeting profile and match the roof colour. Using the standard flashing provided with most roof window skylights on corrugated metal roofs will require the roof sheeting to be open on three sides which will allow any airborne debris (leaves, dust etc.) to be blown under the roof sheeting onto the skylight flashing under the roof sheeting. Over time this can result in dam being built up by the leaves and debris under the sheeting and instead of the water being directed down the flashing and away down the roof, the dam created by the leaves and debris (if not cleaned away regularly) can direct water over the edges of the flashing into the roof space. Although adding an additional cost to your insulation, the use of a custom metal flashing for metal roof installations provides a flashing that sits over and encloses the roof penetration providing much better watertightness minimising any chance of future leaks if installed properly. If your home is in an area where there are a lot of trees nearby and or a lot of other airborne matter in the air, then a custom flashing should be seriously considered for any roof window skylight installation. (e.g. Velux, Keylite, Atlite skylight installation)
- Skylight Warranty and returns policy.
Not all skylight warranties and return policies are the same.
Warranty for the skylight and skylight accessories can vary across the skylight industry and may be anywhere from 12months for electrical components, 3 years for accessories and 7 – 15 years for skylights. Industry average manufacturer warranty for skylights is 7-10 years and not all skylights are Australian Standards approved so do your homework and ask your prospective supplier to provide this information including information regarding product defects, installation warranty and if supply only then returns and exchanges policy. Some suppliers will not accept product returns if the skylight box has been opened or damaged so be clear about this.
Ensure that you obtain the peace of mind you require from your skylight supplier with regard to product warranty, returns policy and installation warranty.
- Only choose a professional skylight company
When considering your supplier options ensure that you choose a skylight company who is a member of the Skylight Industry Association (SIA) and whose products are Australian Standards certified. Ask your supplier for proof of current SIA membership and go to www.siai.com.au to confirm membership and review other industry information that the website can provide.
Although you may be a bit of a home handyperson or industry trade person, installing skylights correctly can be challenging and it is often best left to the industry professionals to undertake the installation task. The Skylight Industry Association has recently begun to certify industry skylight installers so please check the industry website above to check that the skylight company you have chosen uses certified installers or is progressing to having their installers certified. You can check this with the Skylight Industry Association of Australia.
- Skylight Maintenance
Plan for regular cleaning and maintenance of your skylight especially if your home is in an area with a trees or air borne matter. Check your skylight on a regular basis to make sure that leaves and airborne matter are not blocking up waterways and creating potential leaking issues. Checking your skylight when you check your gutters should be a minimum maintenance requirement. Cleaning the skylight dome or glass on the roof with water containing dish washing detergent and a soft rag (microfibre) can be done at any time required as can cleaning the diffuser at the ceiling. Consider accessibility for cleaning when selecting your skylight.
Regular maintenance will preserve the performance and longevity of your skylight.
Need more information? Contact Calidad Industries on 9302 6622 or admin@calidadindustries.com.au
