Choosing the Right Skylight When You Live in a High Rainfall Area
When you imagine skylights, you might think of a tropical climate, blue skies, and warm air streaming in through the window. You probably don't visualize a torrent of rain hammering down on the window. However, skylights are actually a great way to add light and ventilation to your home, regardless of the local weather.
By choosing the right skylight, you can ensure that rainy days don't cause problems with excessive noise, pooling, or water coming into your home. Read on for details of all the features you should look out for in your new skylight.
Rain sensor
Leaving a skylight open during a downpour is a recipe for disaster, and your home could end up soaked. Choosing a skylight with an automatic rain sensor solves this problem. The sensor will be placed on a high part of your roof, where rain will hit first and will trigger the automatic closing of your skylight. This means that you can leave the window open overnight or while you're in another room, without having to worry about running to close it when the rain starts. This allows you to fully benefit from the added ventilation provided by a skylight, without any fear of water getting inside.
Sound insulation
The relaxing patter of rain on a window can be nice once in a while, but if you live somewhere especially rainy then it could get annoying. An insulated window uses several strategies to reduce noise. Triple glazing and lamination on the glass of the window, a specially-designed frame, and vibration damping foil will work together to reduce the vast majority of sound inside your home. This isn't only helpful when it comes to rain. It will also protect you against noisy main roads or nearby airports, plus provide extra heat insulation. Insulation is essential if your skylight will be located in a bedroom, where the sound of rain could disturb your sleep.
High upstand
An upstand is the frame your skylight will sit in on top of your roof. It's important that the upstand is high enough from the roof surface, and angled to create a good pitch. This allows rainwater to run off the skylight, rather than pool on top. Without the correct upstand, you risk strain on your ceiling and skylight frame, which could cause leaks. When choosing a contractor to install your skylight, ensure that they have experience working in high-rainfall areas, and ask them to recommend the best upstand.