Skylight Accessories Make A Good Idea Better

FORT MILL, SC, November 25, 2010 (Press-News.org) Homeowners searching for every possible way to conserve energy are finding that modern skylights offer as many or more options for adjusting and controlling light and ventilation entering their homes as do vertical windows, and in some cases, more. And, remodelers say their clients are increasingly adding sun-screening accessories to skylights to increase energy efficiency.

High quality units from leading manufacturers are ENERGY STAR qualified and feature dual pane, argon gas injected, low-E glass to reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. And the glass effectively filters UV rays from the sun that could fade furniture and furnishings in the home.

Adding accessories can provide almost total control of light and of heat gain or loss. According to Joe Patrick, who heads national product management for VELUX America, "Venetian blinds provide style and comfort, roller blinds diffuse the light, and blackout blinds allow you to completely block light from entering through your skylights and roof windows if you desire. This is a feature that is particularly useful in today's home entertainment centers and in other rooms that sometimes require almost full darkness, such as nurseries or bedrooms." Solar blinds are also available that qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

Many of these features are available on venting, as well as fixed skylights. Venting models continue to grow in popularity as green building practices demand more energy efficient methods to exhaust hot, stale air and volatile organic compounds from homes.

Venting skylights take advantage of the natural chimney effect of heated, rising air to exchange the air in homes without the use of energy consuming electric fans. And they are available with moisture sensors that automatically close them in case of rain.

Patrick points out that by accessorizing skylights, homeowners get all the beauty and functionality of natural light from above with few, if any, of the drawbacks - such as fear of leaks - associated with the units in the past.

He says that today's modern skylights are as dependable as top quality windows and are not prone to leaks; a problem often associated with earlier plastic bubble skylights and lesser quality or poorly installed glass units.

In fact, Patrick's company has introduced a new ENERGY STAR@ qualified product line, marketing it as the No Leak Skylight. "These units offer many new energy saving features plus three layers of water protection and are fully warranted," he says. "They also carry an industry-first ten-year installation warranty in addition to product coverage. Homeowners no longer need be concerned about leaking skylights, " he says, "especially with the growing availability of trained and certified skylight installation specialists that adds to the dependability of modern skylights."

The new skylights also accommodate a redesigned line of blinds and shades with pre-installed brackets that can be quickly and easily installed.

For skylight selection or installation information visit www.veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfrc.org or www.efficientwindows.org.

Media Contact:
Keith Hobbs - Business Services Associates, Inc. - 9413 Greenfield Drive - Raleigh, NC 27615-2306 - Phone - 919.844.0064 - E-mail - khobbs@nc.rr.com