Installing a skylight is a great way to add natural light to any room. Skylights can add as much as 30% more light than a window. But before putting a hole in your roof and spending up to $3,000, do your homework. Until recently, roof slope would determine whether or not a skylight could be installed. However, today's flashing kits and installation techniques allow skylights to be installed on almost any roof. The cost for metal or tile roofs may be higher.

Some questions to answer before deciding to install a skylight are:

• Is your roof framed with trusses? This can add to the cost.
• Is the attic space clear?
• Will you need a chase?
• Will a skylight suit your home's architectural style?
• Would a solar light tube do the job for 20% of a skylight's cost?

The first thing to decide when planning for a skylight is where it will be placed. Consider the sun's path; skylights on the south or west facing portion of the roof will collect direct sun. This means on hot days you may have a heat trap and will need to plan ways to control the additional heat, perhaps with remote controlled shades or Venetian blinds. Skylights that face north or east may not get direct sunlight.

Skylight with an attic
If you decide to install a skylight in a room that has an attic above, you will need to build a light shaft or chase. This is a framed tunnel that will funnel light from the roof to the room below. After framing, drywall is added and then painted. This may add as much as $1,500 to your installation costs. You will need to make sure that there is no HVAC, plumbing, or wiring in the way.
Installation supplies to install a skylight are 2X4s for the frame, drywall and finishing supplies for the ceiling, roofing paper, roofing nails and 16d galvanized nails, step flashing and continuous flashing. Tools should include a circular saw, hammer, flat pry bar, tin snips, and a utility knife.
According to diynetwork.com, some things to consider when deciding to install a skylight are:

• Don't Skip on Quality and, Go Green

The energy efficiency, water tightness, sound reduction and load and wind resistance are important factors in choosing a skylight. Additional options to consider are shading, UV coatings and ventilation. Look for products made from sustainable materials, in order to protect the environment. Because you will be living with your skylight for years to come, you want to make sure you will be happy with the results.

• Placement

The placement of your home's rafters will determine skylight placement. Plan ahead and consult a space plan or blueprint before cutting out sections of your roof.

• Weather

Look at the weather forecast before starting your project. Rain or bad weather can slow down or even stop the construction if moisture gets in during installation.

• Safety

If you are doing the installation yourself, make sure your ladder is the right type and height. Proper footwear is a necessity for traction. For some roofs, using roof jacks to support a 2 X 12" board to stand on while working is a good idea. Make sure the roof jacks are secured with nails that are driven into the roof joints and not just through the sheathing.

• Proper Flashing

Make sure that you are buying the right flashing kit by determining the slope of your roof. Because there are a great number of kits that are specific to a particular pitch, you will need all the information that pertains to your specific project, before your make your purchase.

• Start from the Inside

Remove the interior sheathing and then drive four nails or screws in the corners of the box outline marked for the skylight. This will help make it easier to determine the skylight opening from the roof.

• Remove the Shingles

Before you start cutting, remove the shingles from the roof where you have marked the opening.

• Waterproof the Flashing

After installing the flashing kit, attach waterproof flashing. This will divert water and ice flow away from your skylight.

• Add Extra Drywall and Insulation

Adding a little drywall and insulation will cut down condensation and will finish the ceiling space.

• Self-Ventilating Skylight

A self-ventilating skylight will allow you to vent your room along with adding more natural light.

​Adding a skylight is a beautiful way to bring more natural light to a room.
Purchasing the correct skylight and having it installed correctly will add architectural style to your home. Harper Roofing> has been providing roofing services for families in Charleston and the surrounding area since 2009. In that time we have built a solid reputation as a trusted roofer with the Better Business Bureau, and a 5 star rating on Houzz>.
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We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Harper Roofing as the author and a link to our website, harperroofingcharleston.com. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/what-i-need-to-know-before-installing-a-skylight-in-my-roof. Email us with any questions.

Many homeowners don't think about or know the importance of having a system of gutters and downspouts on their homes. Installing a system of gutters, maintaining them and replacing them as needed is a major duty of responsible home ownership. Not having gutters can cause a great many problems for homeowners.

The Jobs of Gutters and Downspouts:
1. Removing Water From Your Roof
Gutters are responsible for removing water from your roof. When it rains or snow melts, water can get underneath the shingles on the roof causing damage to its structure. Gutters and downspouts also keep water away from the sides of the home. This will prevent water from getting behind siding or causing a "rusting" effect on brick. Constant water drainage can cause staining to the exterior of your home fascia, soffit, wood framing and outside walls as well as decks, patios, driveways and walkways.

2. Prevent Erosion of The Soil Around Home
Another important job of gutters and downspouts is that they prevent erosion of the soil around the home. Large amounts of water running down a foundation for long periods of time can cause cracks. Gutter systems may prevent cracks in the foundation and water in the basement. These systems facilitate the removal of water on and around your home, preventing damage to your home's roof and foundation.

The Negatives of Not Having Gutters and Downspouts:
1. Infestations
Not having a gutter and downspout system on your home can cause infestations. Mosquitoes and other insects breed in standing water.
2. Mold
Also, mold is caused by overflowing gutters which can create an environment for mold to grow in crawlspaces and basements. This constant moisture can cause fungi to damage to your landscaping.
3. Structure Damage
As you can see, having gutters and downspouts installed on your home is important in terms of preventing major damage to your home and its structure. Maintaining your gutter and downspouts is as important because in order for them to work properly, they need to be kept clean and repaired.

What To Do:
Gutter systems need to be cleaned twice a year, spring and late fall. Gutters can be blocked with leaves or other debris, which will cause them to not function as needed. Water needs to flow at least ten feet from the house. Many homeowners may want to clean their gutters themselves, however, there is always risk in getting on ladders. The cost of hiring a gutter expert to clean and maintain your gutters is minimal in relation to the amount of damage your gutter system prevents.

Gutter systems also need to be attached properly to your home. You may need to talk to the gutter professional about changing the spikes holding your system to your house to screws. Screws do a better job of holding gutters in place. Make sure you or the gutter professional check for rusted spots, dents and holes, broken gutter hangers, and disconnected joints and repair these as soon as possible.
If your gutters collect a great amount of debris, you may want to consider having screens installed over the gutter. A guard will not keep all the debris out, and up to 15 to 20 percent still gets in. A visual check should be done at least twice a year.

According to angieslist.com., the cost of gutter cleaning ranges from $75 to $225 for an average home, depending on the length of gutters, height of the home and scope of work. Most companies charge a flat fee per foot of gutter, but the cost can go up depending on the complexity of the work. Make sure that they carry liability insurance and worker's compensation for any employees they use for your job.

Having and maintaining gutters and downspouts is vital in the care of your home. Not only will they keep water from damaging your home, its roof and foundation, but they will prevent expensive damage to your home for years to come. Harper Roofing offers free roof inspections> and help for all your roofing needs. Call us for a free estimate or a list of all of our roofing services. Check out Harper Roofing's 5 star rating on Houzz>!

If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need.
We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Harper Roofing Charleston as the author and a link to our website http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/​. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/the-importance-of-having-gutters-and-maintaining-them. Email us with any questions.