Thinking about letting some natural light into your home but worried about all the “disadvantages” of skylights?
Skylights have a bad rap with misconceptions like “skylights always leak” or “they’ll let in way too much sun”, but we’re here to set the record straight. In fact, most skylight problems trace back to poor installation and the wrong placement
“Disadvantages” of skylights
Myth 1: Skylights leak
This is a huge misconception! 99% of the time, skylights aren’t to blame for leaks. In reality, skylights leak due to installation errors. Engage a skilled installer who uses the right techniques and materials, and you’re looking at a leak-free, bright addition to your home.
Myth 2: Skylights will overheat your home
Afraid your skylight will turn your room into a sauna? Many are designed to minimise UV rays and heat. If you are still concerned it might get a bit warm, you can always opt for blinds or tinted glass to keep things cool.
Another tip is to avoid north-facing skylights because they get the most sun throughout the day. Learn more about skylight direction here.
Myth 3: Skylights are too bright
Some worry that skylights might flood their homes with too much light. The truth? Most people actually love the extra light, and contact us for more skylights. In fact, in all our years of experience with skylights, we have never had a client want us to remove or cover a skylight because it lets in too much light.
Similar to our recommendations for ‘overheating’, there are always blinds to manage the light or potentially choosing a south-facing skylight for a soft glow.
Myth 4: Skylights are delicate
If you think one summer storm will destroy your skylights, you’d be wrong!
All our brands meet the Australian Standards and are hail resistant. While specific glass composition differs between brands, they’re all made from double-glazed and toughened laminated glass.
Plus, with warranty periods between 10 and 20 years, it’s clear that manufacturers are confident that the glass won’t break easily.
Myth 5: Skylights need constant cleaning
While skylights are up there with the birds and the elements, they don’t require constant upkeep. Heavy rain will often wash off most bird poo. In areas with lots of trees, leaves and debris, your skylight/s and flashings may need to be cleared more often. This is because debris build up can contribute to leaks, just like a gutters. For most, occasional cleaning should suffice, and homeowners would be cleaning their gutters and roofs frequently anyway, so do it at the same time.
If you want to get fancy, some skylights come with a self-cleaning coating, but it’s usually not necessary.
Myth 6: Skylights are so expensive that they aren’t worth it
Glass skylights are an investment, and they are more expensive than sun tunnels or polycarb sunlight with diffusers.
Most of the additional costs are in the installation. Due to the internal finishings, glass skylights usually take a couple of days to install from start to finish, as opposed to a couple of hours and of course that means more investment is required.
Myth 7: Skylights aren’t possible with truss roofs
Have a truss roof and think skylights aren’t an option? We’ve got good news—there’s nearly always a way! Whether it’s designing around the trusses or getting a bit of structural tweaking done, we can make it work.
Get in touch with us for a free in-home assessment to learn more about your options.
7 common “disadvantages” of skylights debunked
So, there you have it—skylights aren’t the hassle some might make them out to be. They’re durable, manageable, and can truly transform your home.
If you’re ready to brighten up your home with high-quality skylights, or just curious about what it would take to install one in your space, why not give us a call? Contact us today for a free in-home assessment and see how you can transform your home with the magic of skylights.
Skylight “Disadvantage” FAQs
Do skylights leak?
A well-installed skylight shouldn’t. In our experience, leaks almost always come from installation errors, so the installer matters more than the skylight. Use a skilled installer who uses the right techniques and materials. Keep the skylight and its flashings clear of leaves and debris, because a build-up can contribute to leaks in the same way it does in a gutter.
How long do skylights last?
Glass skylights typically last 10 to 30 years, and often longer. Parts that open and close, such as the motor or the hinges, may wear out sooner than the glass. Polycarbonate and acrylic skylights usually last 8 to 15 years before they crack and become brittle. Glass skylights carry a warranty of at least 10 years on the glass, and warranty periods vary by brand.
Are skylights hail resistant?
Yes. All the brands we install meet the Australian Standards and are hail resistant. They use double-glazed, toughened laminated glass, and the exact glass composition differs between brands. Manufacturer warranties of 10 to 20 years also show how confident they are that the glass won’t break easily.
