All of us here at Somerville National Bank would like to thank you for continuing to follow our series, Remodeling Projects That Will Increase the Value of Your home. Spring is a wonderful time to initiate projects in and around the home that will not only allow you to further customize the overall value of your home, but, will also increase the value of your home.

Do not allow yourself to get into the traditional springtime regimen of throwing out the old to make room for new things in your life. Instead, simply take the old and turn it into something new!

In the past couple of weeks, you have learned that installing energy-efficient windows and updating your home’s siding are wonderful ways to vamp up your home and increase its value. This week, we will expound on installing skylights throughout your home.

Install Skylights
Simply put, a skylight is a window that is installed within the roof and/or ceiling of a structure. These structures are glazed and aid in providing additional natural outdoor light and/or additional levels of ventilation to the region below.

There are two main types of skylights available, to date – fixed and operable. Many homeowners prefer skylights to standard windows or windowed doors because of the fact that they provide the optimal amount of both privacy and natural light into the structure.

Operable skylights are operated through a hinge and allow outdoor air to enter a space. A fixed skylight does not have a hinge and typically only allows natural light to enter into the structure.

The Purpose and Intent of Skylights
If you elect to add skylights to your home, the purpose and intent is to either provide a high level of daylighting or a large amount of ventilation. In some instances, a skylight will have the capability of providing both daylighting and a large amount of ventilation. The purpose and intent of the skylights that you elect to install throughout your home will depend on your overall goals.

In order to reap the highest level of benefits from the skylights, you should ensure proper placement of the windows. Consider the following facts regarding skylights:

  • If your skylight faces the north, you will have a consistent level of natural light shining through throughout the entire day; however, you will receive very little in the way of solar-based heating.
  • If your skylight faces south, you will receive a large amount of solar-based heat; however, shading may be required during the warm months of the year.
  • If your skylight is west-facing, you will get the highest amount of natural light in the afternoon and evening hours. During this time, you will also receive a high level of solar-based heating.
  • If your skylight faces east, you will get the most amount of light in the morning. Additionally, the mornings will prove to be the warmest.

Skylights not only add an immense degree of beauty to a home and the rooms in which they are placed, but, they also offer a high level of privacy and aid in reducing the amount of energy that is consumed in the home; that is, as long as they are properly placed. Naturally, installing skylights is not an easy endeavor, nor is it a cheap project.

Somerville National Bank offers several types of homeowner and home improvement loans that are sure to provide you with the funding that you need to initiate and complete this type of project. For more information, contact one of our branches today: http://somervillebank.net/contacts/