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We are going to build a screened porch soon, and I am debating if we should add skylights.
This is what I gather as pros and cons:
Pros:
- add more natural light to the porch (our backyard doesn't get a lot of direct sun)
Cons:
- extra cost
- the ceiling will be a high gabled one, so windows will hard to clean
- possibility of leaks, bugs, etc
- We are in warm climate (Atlanta) so skylights may bring in more warmth
I do not think you need them, except if your porch will block a lot of light from the rooms in your house. This is often an unforeseen consequence of porches.
A screened porch should get plenty of light without needing a skylight. My big issue with most skylights is that they direct bright sunlight directly into your eyes. The whole point of having a roof is so you can sit in the shade.
If your doing a vaulted ceiling and the gable end is open (timber frame design); no, I see no need for skylites. If it was a shed roof and depending on the number/location of windows for the home- I might consider. But it's a "big" might.
Built plenty here in the ATL- never skylites. But, I did have a couple of plans (houses) that had skylites- and they were the biggest PAIN IN MY ASS for warranty crap! after about 5yrs I took them off the plans!
PIA on all fronts. For very little benefit. Take the advice in this thread and leave them out of the plan. On top of everything else, they are costly and require additional framing work to boot!
I'm not a fan of intentionally putting a hole in a perfectly good roof.
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