Bay Area Window Pros

Skylight Repair

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:27:00 -0700

Common Skylight Problems

Skylights occasionally have problems:

Ceiling is damp around the opening (leaking): Leakage is the number one problem. 90 percent of all leaks are caused by a "flashing" problem. Flashing is a piece of metal that sits flush against a skylight opening and sweeps away any water. Many leaks are slow, and you may not see them for several years until the drywall next to the skylight starts to buckle.
Newer skylights are built in accordance with rugged construction requirements. Still they can crack with impact, especially if they are glass. If your skylight is in an area where it can be easily broken, consider replacing it with a plastic, shatter-resistant version. These have the added advantage of being lightweight and economical.
Some skylights can open a few inches to allow air circulation. They're usually operated with a pole. Occasionally the gears that raise and lower the skylight can get jammed.
Motor-controlled skylight isn't functioning properly: Some skylights can be opened automatically with motors. And like all mechanical things, these motors need occasional maintenance and repair. Your problem may also be electrical.
Manually operated shade isn't functioning properly: Many manufacturers have designed shades to fit within the frame of their skylights. Most are opaque, and can be opened and closed fully to give you maximum control over the amount of light you let in. Sometimes the gears that operate the shades can get jammed.
Motor controlled shade isn't functioning properly: Motor-controlled shades are a great option for skylights that are very high and out of reach. However, these motors need maintenance and repair from time to time. The problem may also be electrical.

Modern, top-of-the-line skylights that are carefully installed or repaired by a Service Professional can be expected to remain watertight for a long time.

Skylights - Pros & Cons

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:21:00 -0700

Skylights can turn a dark and dingy room into one of the brightest and airiest places in your home. However, these same skylights can also warm up a room. With the summer sun high overhead, your skylight can actually let, as much as, four times the amount of heat into your home than your standard window. This can make your room uncomfortable and, if you use an air conditioner, your electric bill can soar.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

Before giving up on the idea, there are accessories available to meet some of these concerns. Shades can reduce some of the sun's heat while allowing you to regulate outdoor lighting.
Consideration can be given to a ventilating skylight which can be opened to emit some of the hot air that rises to the ceiling. These also allow for airflow within the room. Some of today's skylights come equipped with pleated and roller shades or venetian blinds. Besides limiting the sun's heat, these can also protect your furniture and carpets from fading while providing you a measure of privacy. Also available are rain sensors that close automatically during unexpected rain.

The roof's pitch and design will also have a bearing on the skylight you might choose. Roofs with trusses usually can only accommodate narrow skylights that can fit between the trusses. Roofs with rafters can be cut allowing greater flexibility in design and location.

While adding to the interior of your home, be careful not to detract from the external appearance. Consider carefully its placement as well as the overall architecture before deciding. Before making your final decision, talk to an expert in this area to have your concerns addressed.

Popular Skylight Products

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:44:00 -0700

Honeycomb ShadesHoneycomb shades have the ability to trap air, thus making them the most efficient product for skylight systems. In Hunter Douglas honeycomb shades, Designer Blinds offers two great systems, SkyRiseâ„¢ and Simplicityâ„¢.

SkyRiseâ„¢ and SkyRiseâ„¢
The manually operated version of SkyRise is available on Duette Originalsâ„¢, Duette Manhattan and Applauseâ„¢ Shades. Adjustments to SkyRise shades can be made on the floor –away from the window, making for easy snap-in installation. In Duette Originals and Duette Manhattanâ„¢, motorized operation is available with either remote control or wall switch operation. Manual SkyRise shades are operated by reaching up into the window with an extendable pole and moving the shade to the desired position. All SkyRise shades are built with a special heavy duty coated aircraft cable that does not stretch or deteriorate under extreme conditions. SkyRise is the best option for shades that will be operated frequently, larger skylight openings, and for motorized operation.

Simplicityâ„¢
At first look, Simplicity shades are very similar to SkyRise –but while manual operation of the shades is the same they are built and installed differently. Simplicity shades are a great solution for common skylight sizes. It installs easily with only a few minor adjustments that need to be made at the window. Like manually operated SkyRise shades it is operated with an extendable pole. Simplicity is a reliable skylight system that can be fit comfortably into any budget.

Brilliance Pleated Shades
The Brilliance Pleated Shade skylight shade uses the same components as the Simplicity system used for honeycomb shades. Backings can be added to the shades for increased light blocking. It, too, is operated by a extendable pole.

Horizontal Blinds
Often overlooked, Hunter Douglas Aluminum Horizontal Blinds make a great way to control light and energy at the same time. Available with manual tilt-only operation or relatively inexpensive tilt-only motorization. Blinds are easily installed with all installation adjustments made at the window. Slightly differing systems are used, depending on the size of the window. The slat position is adjusted on manually operated blinds with a detached wand. Motorized tilt control has wall switch operation only. The motors are powered either by batteries or by a regulated low-voltage power supply.

How To Install A Skylight

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:42:00 -0700

Skylights can be installed in any room of a single story house or the upper most rooms near the roof in a multiple story house. How to decide upon the perfect skylight for your home? The structure of the house and the roof will help you decide. In the case of a truss roof, the size of the skylight will matter. The size of your skylight should fit between the rafters of a truss roof frame. However, in the case of a conventional roof, the rafters can be cut and re-framed to accommodate the skylight. Both these methods are equally popular and sufficient expertise is available amongst roofers to install them with ease.

The planning for a skylight begins when you feel the need for more sunlight within the house. The thought of cutting a hole in the roof often discourages a person from using the option of having a skylight, but these thoughts are ill founded. Actually, installing a skylight is easier than installing a window. Most skylights come with flashing systems that will seal the roof effectively.

There are two basic types of skylights: curb-mounted or frame in place. A curb-mounted skylight is raised above the plane of the roof; it either sets on a wood frame curb or the curb is an integral part of the unit. A framed-in-place skylight is installed flush with the plane of the structure, much like a vertical window. It is held in place with L-shaped brackets. Curb-mounted skylights may be glazed with a clear acrylic dome or with glass. Framed-in-place skylights are glazed with glass. Either may use insulating glass, and the glazing in top-of-the-line skylights may have low emissivity coatings and argon gas fill for added energy efficiency. The flashing system on a curb-mounted skylight typically consists of a head flashing, a sill flashing and two pieces of side flashing that run the length of the skylight.

The head flashing is slipped under the shingles above the opening. The side flashings are slipped under both the head flashing and the shingles on the side of the unit. The sill flashing goes under the side flashings but is set over the shingles below the skylight. The configuration allows water to run around and off the skylight. A framed-in-place skylight also has a solid head and sill flashing, but the side flashing consists of a series of step flashing that match the exposure of each row of roofing. Like a curb-mounted skylight, the head flashing goes under the shingles and the sill flashing goes under them. The step flashing is woven into the roofing, slipped under each shingle. Flashings may be made of galvanized steel or aluminum; most are aluminum, often finished to match the color of the skylight frame.

The decision to fix the place to install the skylight is very important. The location will have to be free from any obstacle to sunlight. The procedure is more or less fixed. Mark the ceiling accordingly to the size of the light (or shaft) and remove the ceiling drywall, and insulation. Next, cut the joist and frame the ceiling opening with the same size lumber as the joist. If your ceiling is a cathedral ceiling you will have to cut the roof opening in this step also. Next make the holes in the roof to adjust the skylight frame. Depending upon the kind of roof and the skylight, make the necessary changes. If your ceiling has an attic space you should construct a shaft. You will need to install a shaft to divert the light into the room. Most ceilings, except cathedral ceilings, will require a shaft which connects from the roof to the ceiling.

The care you take in installing a skylight will go a long way in ensuring that the skylight serves its purpose for a long time and remains a source of pleasure for you for years to come.

As a Virginia, VA Roofing Contractor, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts.Â
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Skylight Shades

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:40:00 -0700

Skylight shades are fairly recent phenomena in home architecture, but they have gained a lot of popularity. Shades are an innovation in the area of skylights that make the traditional skylights more effective and user friendly. For a long time, people have used skylights only in order to enjoy the option of natural daylight throughout the daytime. Skylights were never popularly considered for areas such as the bathrooms and kitchens.

With skylight shades, all that has changed; you have now the option of using skylights all over your house. With the help of skylight shades, you can install a skylight in your house without worrying about how to block the light out while watching a movie or when you want some privacy for yourself. Most of these skylight shades come with a regular remote control system with which you can regulate the amount of light you require, making them extremely user friendly.

Similar to skylight blinds, skylight shades are also used to diffuse, adjust, or block the light and heat. With shades, you can not only control the quantity of light that enters your room but also enhance the effectiveness of roof windows and skylights by providing additional levels of energy efficiency and comfort.

Translucent white shades filter the light and reduce the glare of the sun so that your skin and your linens are protected from direct UV light. Blinds sometimes score better for applications where privacy is a priority along with humidity control and ventilation. For example, blinds may work better than shades in kitchens and bathrooms. However, shades ensure total room darkening for your TV and entertainment rooms or for your bedroom. These shades usually come with an aluminum reverse, which is double reinforced to provide better insulation to make your air conditioning efficient.

Skylights provides detailed information on Skylights, Skylight Windows, Skylight Blinds, Skylight Shades and more. Skylights is affiliated with Home Lighting Fixtures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando

Skylight Windows

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:39:00 -0700

A skylight window is not a skylight in the strictest sense of the word. It is usually a large window in a loft space or in a similar place. These windows are very effective when they are overlooking a writing desk and in places where good lighting is a standard requirement. Skylight windows are popular in attic spaces that have been converted into small bedrooms for children, since they allow a lot of light and make the area look much larger than it is actually.

The skylight window gives you the luxury to expand your indoor areas into beautiful living areas filled with daylight, outdoor views, and fresh air. These can be designed for in-reach and out-of-reach installation, depending upon your specific requirements. Once you have a window skylight in your loft or attic space, you have installed the ultimate light and ventilation solution for your house. These are also ideal for all mezzanine spaces.

If these are roof windows, they may be top hinged - which open up to provide maximum ventilation. Or, they may be balcony roof windows, which are more suitable in case your requirement is primarily for daylight. These windows open up to create a roof balcony, transforming unused spaces into excellent, open-aired masterpieces! Top-hinged windows have the same benefits as balcony roof windows, although they have an edge over balcony windows since they are easy to clean and may be reversed if required. These also come with a sun-screening option for superior energy efficiency.

The rather unusual benefits of skylight windows are that they are an excellent emergency escape solution in case of a fire or any other emergency. Moreover, quite predictably, they provide convenient ventilation and are also extremely energy efficient. You can get innovative and even customize them to add an insect screen if you live in a tropical area. Last but not the least, skylight windows make your home look great!

Skylights provides detailed information on Skylights, Skylight Windows, Skylight Blinds, Skylight Shades and more. Skylights is affiliated with Home Lighting Fixtures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando

Skylights

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:36:00 -0700

Skylights are overhead windows, often in a roof, that allow sunlight to filter inside any enclosed area; they are a great natural light option to artificial lighting solutions during the daytime. Skylights are usually covered with translucent or transparent material to allow light to pass through, while also protecting from extreme weather conditions. A Skylight is a great way to allow more light into your home through a flat or sloped window built into the roof structure for daylighting. Adding a skylight can almost immediately open up any room and make it lighter and brighter, adding a sunny, airy feeling.

Skylights come in many styles and designs. They can be rectangular, oval, triangular, or any odd shape and are perhaps the most beautiful way to enjoy the rain as you see it fall over your head. Windows cannot recreate the drama and magic that skylights can add to your house. These are like Godâ€™s own television screens! Moreover, skylights will usually bring in more light than windows and are a great alternative to artificial lighting.

Skylights have been used in housing and other architecture from time immemorial and these can never go out of style. Very often, skylights have been found in old churches. They add certain warmth and charm to the somber interiors. Skylights are used frequently in modern architecture, as well, and many modern malls, hospitals, restaurants, and other large, public places make use of skylights for natural daylight to light up common areas.

When selected carefully and installed, an energy-efficient skylight can help minimize heating, cooling, and lighting costs to very large extent.

Before installing a skylight in your home, you need to carefully evaluate what type of skylight will work best for you, considering your specific requirements and how to install it in a way that it improves your home’s energy efficiency. Itâ€™s a sensible idea to evaluate the energy performance ratings of skylights based on the climate that you live in and the architectural design of your home. In the U.S., you can find labeled energy-efficient skylights, which tell you the minimum energy performance rating criteria by climate. The physical dimensions of the skylight also greatly affect the lux level and temperature of the space it is being used for. It is recommended that the skylight size should never be more than five percent of the floor area in rooms with many windows and not more than fifteen percent of the room’s total floor area for spaces with very few windows.

Skylights on north-facing roofs provide cool illumination, while east-facing roofs provide maximum light and heat in the morning. West-facing skylights provide afternoon sunlight and heat. South-facing skylights provide more passive solar heat than any other location.

Skylights provides detailed information on Skylights, Skylight Windows, Skylight Blinds, Skylight Shades and more. Skylights is affiliated with Home Lighting Fixtures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando

Repair Skylights

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:34:00 -0700

DEAR TIM: Currently I have a problem with skylights in my home. They are leaking and are very old. I want to replace them with larger units that will not leak. Is that possible? Finding a roofer or contractor to do this has been very frustrating. What kind of contractor do I hire to do this and just how does one find a really good contractor? Do I need a divining rod? George C.,Orlando, FL

DEAR GEORGE: I can feel your pain. You have double trouble because your problem involves a roof leak. Since you already have plenty of water in your house from the leak you can throw away the divining rod. Get rid of your tarot cards and Ouija board too. It can be hard to find a qualified contractor or roofer, but trust me, there is usually one or two in every city or town. You simply need to look in the right places.

Let’s solve the roof leak problem first. The vast majority of roof leaks can usually be found where things pop up through a roof. Skylights, plumbing vent pipes, heating vent pipes, chimneys, second story sidewalls, etc. can all abut or penetrate a roof. These non-roof items are connected to roof materials by using flashings. Flashings are simply transitional roofing materials. They can be made from tin, copper, aluminum, lead or even modified asphalt materials. My guess is that your skylight flashings are the source of your trouble.

Many skylights that are sold require a roofer to fabricate some of the flashings while he is up on the roof. This process requires experience and attention to detail. Not all roofers are qualified to do this. The best skylights, in my opinion, are those that include complete factory built flashing materials in the box. They are virtually idiot proof. All the roofer has to do is follow a few easy steps and the hardest wind driven rain will not create a waterfall inside your home.

If you are enlarging the skylight opening by making it longer, then the modifications to the roof structure will probably be very minor. Major structural changes are necessary when you decide to widen a skylight opening. In these instances extra full sized rafters need to be added on either side of the skylight opening. These extra framing members help carry the roof load that used to be supported by the rafters that were cut to make the new opening wider than it is now.

Finding a reliable, competent, and skilled roofer or remodeling contractor that can do all of the work will take some time but it is by no means impossible. If you understand some of the basic principles by which these people work, the task is not as mystical as it may seem. Quality contractors are proud of their work. They want it to be perfect or nearly so and they do not want any call-back or warranty problems. To achieve trouble free results they know that high quality materials are an integral part of each project. Real professionals know that problems are public relations nightmares and drain profits.

Knowing this you start your search for contractors by visiting the businesses that supply quality materials to these individuals. You might be surprised to find out that these businesses are often places that you have never heard of. In your instance I would open the Yellow Pages and look under the heading Roofing Supplies. Many of the listings under this heading will be businesses that cater primarily to roofing contractors and not consumers like you. Visit two or three of these places if possible. Try to do this in the middle of the morning or the mid-afternoon. Never go early in the morning, at lunch or the end of the business day. These are busy times when contractors are picking up supplies.

Once there ask to speak with the manager or possibly the owner. Briefly describe your job to this person. Ask for a customer who has been buying for 15 or more years, one that routinely buys the highest quality materials, and who pays his monthly bill on time. If the business manager obliges you, you will have a list of high quality candidates. The final question to ask, if possible, would be names of contractors that this person would use to work on his or her own home.

If the manager will not release names, then go to Plan B. Do a stakeout of the business in the early morning and get business cards from the contractors who are buying supplies. Look for ones who are driving well kept vehicles that project a look of professionalism. You will still need to do more detective work, but your chances of hiring a pro are quite good.

A Guide To Skylights Vinyl Windows

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:30:00 -0700

A definition and description of the different types of skylights vinyl windows that can be installed in a home.

Skylights vinyl windows are a familiar architectural sight in most modern day homes. They are usually situated in smaller rooms that don’t have a lot of light because of a need for privacy (such as a bedroom or bathroom) or in larger rooms that are leant a sense of majesty from having the sunlight pour in through a vast gap in the roof.

The reason it is important to have skylights that are seamed with vinyl is that they help keep cold air out and warm air in. However this can be a drawback if you live in a hot climate and the sun is beating down through your skylight vinyl windows all day. In hotter climates tinted skylight windows or ones equipped with automatic shades are more useful so that the cost of your air conditioning does not rocket sky high. Skylight vinyl windows are best utilized in colder, damper climates where insulation from the elements is needed.

The larger they are the better skylights vinyl windows look in any room. The usual size of skylight vinyl windows is between one and four square feet. Cubbyhole sized ones just look tacky unless they are highlighting a sculpture or a plant.

However sometimes you only have room for a small vinyl sealed skylight in which case it is recommended that you buy one that has a funnel shape that is wider at the bottom. This allows more light than normal to be filtered into the room from the skylight and then be spread and reflected over a larger area. Light adds heat. Make sure that this type of skylight is also vented to allow heat to escape if you live in a hot climate.

In essence there are three different types of vinyl sky light windows.

Vented Skylight. The vented skylight is more of a modern entity, as before the late eighties most skylights did not have the ability to open or close. These types of skylight vinyl windows can be opened either electronically or manually. The vinyl stripping around the frame of the window prevents them from leaking rain.

Sun Tunnels. Sun tunnels are essentially holes that are about a foot wide that allow sunlight through to dim areas of your home. They are installed to allow more natural light into bathrooms, basements, attics and even closets!

Skylight Window Shades - These are skylights that come with a lid. Sometimes it isn’t always ideal to have the sunlight brightening your room especially if you want to take a nap or view a movie in the dark. These types of skylights come with a remote that allows you to adjust the amount of light in the room.

Skylight vinyl windows are so secure and water proof that the need to frame the skylight with wood is no longer necessary. The vinyl also prevents double paned windows from sweating. However if you prefer the more elegant, finished look of wood wrapped windowpanes they can be easily fitted around skylight vinyl windows to achieve a more traditional appearance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rene_Knops

Roof Windows And Dormer Windows

www.bayareawindowpros.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:28:00 -0700
Let´s say you do not like the petty skylights. You want some nice, large windows to let the most possible sunshine under your roof. In that case you can choose from the roof windows or the dormer windows. Which ones are the best? It depends.
The roof windows vs skylights

The roof window is something like large skylight. Actually there is no substantial difference between skylights and roof windows, nevertheless skylights usually refer to smaller surface. Both skylights and roof windows are installed aslant, to the surface of the sloped roof.

The roof windows advantages

The roof window offers better (and longer) illumination compared to the vertical, dormer window. In certain areas the difference can be as much as 40%.

As the slant roof windows are installed directly to the roof surface, no special frameworks are necessary and installation of the roof window is cheaper than the dormer window installation (less material, less work).

The roof windows disadvantages

The roof windows do not add any space to your loft or ceiling as they only copy the roof.

Also the view from the roof window is little limited compared to the dormer window view.

The dormer windows

The dormer windows refer to the vertically installed windows projecting out, from the sloped roof surface.

The dormer windows advantages
Dormer windows increase the space of your loft or ceiling.

The vertical viewing (dormer) window also offers better view as you are closer to the viewed object.

Last but not least, the dormer windows, as they lift the sloped part of the roof higher, improve the safety conditions of your ceiling or loft (means you will not hit your head when looking out of the dormer window, of course, if you comply with all standard recommendations for the dormer window placement and dimensions.

The dormer windows disadvantages

Unlike the slant roof window, the dormer window faces the direct daylight with smaller surface, therefor it lets less light in.

Also the dormer windows installation is usually more expensive and demanding on planning and sources than the slant roof window installation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Viliam_Kanis