From kitchen renovations to roof replacement, home improvement projects can certainly make it easier to enjoy your home or even pocket a little more cash when it comes time to sell.
But while some homeowners gravitate toward common upgrades, such as a fresh coat of paint or a new bathroom addition, more and more Toledo residents are opting for an entirely different kind of home upgrade: They’re installing skylights.
Given the myriad benefits skylights can provide, it’s easy to understand why they’re becoming so popular. We’ll share a few of the most noteworthy reasons homeowners are installing skylights below, in case you’re considering a new home upgrade.
Five Reasons to Install Skylights on Your Toledo Home
Every homeowner is different, and those who decide to have a skylight installed may do so for a wide variety of reasons. However, these are five of the most common reasons we hear from Frogtown Roofing Plus customers.
Increased Light Levels
Skylights can allow a lot more natural light into your home, which will not only help improve the interior aesthetics but also provide mental health benefits. In fact, a 2006 study found that natural light exposure is associated with improved mood and decreased depression.
Additionally, Harvard University has conducted studies that found skylights can even increase your focus, energy level, and productivity.
Reduced Lighting Costs
As more natural light pours into your home, you’ll likely find that you don’t need to leave as many lights on — especially during the middle of the day. This will reduce the amount of money you’ll end up spending every month on your electric bill.
A 2007 study even determined that by allowing more natural light to enter a building, energy savings of up to 60% could be achieved in some cases.
Passive Solar Heating
Of course, skylights don’t just brighten your home; they warm your home during the winter, too. And this can be especially pronounced when skylights are installed on low-slope, south-facing roofs.
This increase in home temperature not only means you’ll remain warmer and more comfortable during the winter, but it also means you can turn your HVAC down. This will result in less wear and tear on the unit and lower heating costs all winter long.
Additional Ventilation
While some skylights are sealed and always remain closed, others are designed to open (either manually or with automated control mechanisms). These kinds of opening skylights can provide greatly improved interior ventilation, as they’ll allow interior air to escape and fresh air to replace it. That’s important, given that interior air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
Additionally, because they’re located on your roof, operable skylights allow warm summer air to escape your home, helping to further reduce your energy expenses.
Increased Home Value
Whether you’re thinking about selling your home soon or in a decade, it’s important to note that skylights can also increase your home’s value and curb appeal. This will not only make it easier to sell your home, but it will also provide another way to offset the costs involved with skylight installation.
The exact amount your home’s value will increase will vary based on a variety of factors. However, Angi reports that every skylight installed can often raise a home’s value by $1,500 to $3,000.
The Dollars and Cents of Skylight Installation in Toledo, Ohio
One of the primary reasons that homeowners don’t consider having skylights installed is that they fear the project won’t fit in their budget. But in practice, skylight installation is often more affordable than many homeowners expect. Plus, because they often help reduce energy costs, they are rarely cost-prohibitive.
Let’s break down the financial implications of skylight installation so that you can know what to expect.
Material and Labor Costs
Skylight prices vary widely depending on the exact model, the size, and the features included with the skylight you select. However, most homeowners will be able to have a skylight installed for between $1,000 and $3,000 (premium models or complex installations may raise the costs further).
For example, relatively small, fixed skylights will be at the lower end of this price range, while larger, solar-powered, venting skylights will be at the higher end of this price range (and potentially cost more than this). The slope and condition of your roof will also play a role in determining the price you’ll pay, as will any additional features you include, such as blinds or smart controls.
Energy Savings
As mentioned, skylights can help reduce your energy costs in a few different ways. For example, they will allow you to use fewer interior lights to keep your home illuminated, and they can also provide passive heating in the winter. Vented models can also help keep your home cooler in the summer, reducing your cooling costs.
Nevertheless, the exact amount of energy savings you’ll realize will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the windows, the thickness of your roof, and the orientation of the lights.
However, at least one study — a 2014 investigation conducted by researchers with Carnegie Mellon University — found that homes and buildings could achieve savings of between 0.8% and 13.9%. A Korean study published in 2020 found similar values and determined that skylights could yield a 9% reduction in energy costs in some cases.
Incentives and Tax Credits
Some homeowners are eligible for tax credits, rebates, and other incentives that can help defray some of the costs associated with skylight installation. For example, the U.S. Federal Government provides a 30% discount (up to $600 in total) on the material costs for qualifying, energy-efficient skylights.
Some local electricity companies also provide rebates and incentives for homeowners who have energy-saving skylights installed. Check with your local provider to find out if you’re currently eligible for any such programs, or contact a Frogtown Roofing Plus representative to learn more.
Trust Frogtown Roofing Plus for Your Skylight Installation Needs
While the word “roofing” may be in our name, we also provide a number of other installation services, including gutters, siding, and yes, skylights. In fact, we’ve been providing these services to homeowners in the Toledo area for more than 16 years. Contact us today to arrange for your free estimate and see the Frogtown Roofing Plus difference yourself!
