Windows

Adding Skylights to Your Home

June 25, 2019 by Over the Top Roof

Spring is here and adding a skylight can breathe new life into your home. Skylights make a great addition that leaves an everlasting impression. While they’re far from being a new innovation, skylights are still stylish. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of installing skylights in your home.

What are Skylights?

A skylight is a window in a roof or ceiling. They are super versatile and can be installed in living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. However, a skylight isn’t simply a glass plated window. There are many different types of skylights with their own purpose.

Fixed Skylight

Fixed skylights are windows in ceilings and roofs that can’t be opened. These skylights are great for letting a little more light shine through.

Ventilated Skylight

Ventilated skylights are able to open and close. According to a post from Go Smart Bricks, they are ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms, which may need extra ventilation.

Tubular Skylight

A tubular skylight is a good alternative to fixed and ventilated skylights. This type of skylight is essentially a large tube that looks like a telescope. Windows and Sidings recommend installing tubular skylights in bedrooms, closets, or any room that doesn’t have windows.

Skylights are very unique in their design and their ability to brighten up rooms. Therefore, there are many benefits to installing skylights in your home.

The Benefits of Installing Skylights

Increases Your Home’s Resale Value

Skylights are “greener” home additions that can help boost your home’s resale value. According to an article from Consumer Affairs, the natural light that comes through is a good mood booster that buyers are looking for. Furthermore, homeowners who invest in skylights may save money on their monthly energy bill.

A Great Way to Reduce Energy Costs

Homeowners who install a skylight may see a reduction in their energy bills. Skylights can let natural light in and help reduce the need for heat and lighting. However, it’s highly disputed whether or not it reduces your home’s energy use.

Having more windows in your homes means more potential for heat/air loss. But, as the United States Department of Energy points out, “Manufacturers use various glazing technologies to reduce these impacts, including heat-absorbing tints, insulated glazing, and low-emissivity (low-e) coatings.” Making sure your skylights are properly installed will minimize energy loss.

Above all, skylights are a great way to redefine a room’s look.

Making Rooms Breathable and Look Bigger

It’s no secret that natural light reveals true beauty. According to a post from Flynn Roofing Co., adding a skylight can make rooms look bigger, which may help up your resale value! Additionally, adding ventilated skylights can let more air flow in, which is helpful in places that are exposed to excessive moisture.

Now that you know the types of skylights and their benefits, you can learn more about installing one today by contacting local roofing professionals. Over the Top Roofing specializes in roofing and construction work and can get you on the way to installing skylights in your home today.

“Where’s That Draft Coming From?” Signs Your Windows Need Work

December 9, 2018 by Over the Top Roof

Have you ever gone to sleep and woke up feeling like you left the window open overnight? Even if your windows are closed and the heat is cranked up, you may feel a draft coming in. As frustrating as it is, drafts can be an easy fix when you can narrow down the source.

From your window frames to the glass itself, here are some signs your windows need work.

Window Seal Failure

Between the double and triple panes in a window, gas fills the void to provide a sealant to ensure quality insulation. When that sealant breaks, there’s a higher chance of cold air seeping into your home and shaking you to the bone. This can happen from poor window installation, materials wearing down and changes in the weather. If you suspect any of these to be the cause, it may be time to call a professional to get it fixed. Your windows may not be up to date if you live in an older home, so it may be time to upgrade.

Cracked and Old Glass

If you live in an older home, you’re most likely going to have single-pane windows. Single-pane windows are extremely fragile, which means they may be likely to crack or break with impact or temperature changes. If you have cracked windows, drafts can seep through, causing a chilly setting to a room. The most cost-efficient solutions would be to replace single-pane with double-pane windows or to apply plastic to your windows.

Damage to Your Window Frames

Temperature changes can put a damper on your mood but can cause a bigger problem for your window frames. As the weather transitions from warm to cold, this can cause the joints and caulking in frames to separate.

According to The Craftsman Blog, if you can see light coming through or can fit a quarter in the crack, then you should fill it. Large cracks that spread throughout the frames should be inspected by a professional. However, one should keep in mind that as the weather goes from cold to warm, the cracks may close.

Keeping your house insulated is one way you can help cut down on temperature fluctuations in your home. If you’re in the greater Milwaukee area, see how Over the Top can help insulate your home.

Drafts Coming Through the Plastic on Your Windows

Insulating your home with plastic on the windows can save you money and help keep you warm. But after all that hard work, you still shiver when you walk around your home. What gives? You may not have applied the plastic right. Applying plastic insulation on windows requires both attention and detail when applying.

According to a blog from Daily News-Miner, applying plastic to windows can reduce 50% of heat loss from drafty windows. But remember that if the plastic is too loose or becomes undone along the corners, cold air is more likely to seep through.

When You Need to Call a Professional

Working with windows calls for a lot of care and attention to detail. If you’ve looked into all the possibilities discussed in this post and still feel a draft, it may be time to consult a professional. Over the Top Roofing and Construction offers professional window and insulation work in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

How to Tell When You Need a Window Frame Replacement

November 19, 2017 by Over the Top Roof

Do you notice condensation or frost on the inside of your windows? Are you trying to lower your energy bill or increase the value of your house? If you answered yes, it’s time to consider a window frame replacement.

But is a full replacement necessary, you may wonder? Can you get by with some repair work instead? A construction expert can make an evaluation of your window frames and recommend the best course of action. In the meantime, though, here are four tell-tale signs that your house needs a window frame replacement.

contractors installing new windows and window frames

1. The Frame Is Damaged or Rotten

The first and most obvious sign you need a replacement is if the frame is damaged, warped, or rotten. Here are some common signs to look for:

Condensation on window
Cool or warm drafts
Window “sticks” when you open or close it
Window won’t stay open (or closed)

If it’s a minor issue with the hardware or weatherstripping, you might be able to get away with a small repair. In most cases, though, it’s easier to replace the faulty window frame.

2. Your Energy Bills Are Through the Roof

Is your house too warm during the summer or too cold during the winter? It may not be your heating or cooling system. The problem could be your windows. Installing energy-efficient windows is one of the surest ways to regulate the temperature inside your home. They’ll also help you save money on your cooling, heating, and electricity bills.

Does your home have very old windows? It’s probably more economical to replace them than try to improve their current efficiency. In fact, energy-efficient windows can reduce heat loss by up to 20%.

3. Your House Needs a Facelift

Here’s another sure sign you need a window frame replacement: You don’t like the way your windows look.

Windows are one of the features people first notice in a home. If yours look old and dated, so will your entire house. And it’s important to like where you live. In fact, you should love your home!

Check to see is the window frames are warped or if the paint is faded. Torn screens or archaic storm windows also detract from your home’s curb appeal. Whether you’re putting your house on the market or making updates for yourself, new window frames will bring fresh life to your home’s appearance.

4. Your Area Is Prone to Severe Weather

Do you live in an area with harsh winters or blazing summers? Have you recently experienced a hurricane, tornado, or another natural disaster? Over time, those weather conditions will eventually take a toll on your house and your windows.

Homes near the ocean are exposed to salt, high humidity levels, and strong coastal winds. All of these can wreak havoc on your window frames. And, if you live in a region with four distinct seasons, temperature fluctuations can also damage your windows. Extreme heat or cold (or both) can cause your frames to crack, warp, or rot.

Final Thoughts on Window Frame Replacement

These are just a few of the many signs that it’s time for a window frame replacement. Would you like more information on replacing your windows or window frames? Check out our FAQ page or contact us for a free estimate!