HOME IMPROVEMENT 15
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, March 7, 2014
Spring-prep steps for your sun-friendly skylights By Brandpoint When spring finally arrives, windows and skylights across t he countr y w ill open, as happy homeow ners revel i n a l l t hat su nsh i ne a nd warm, fresh air. But before you can savor spring, you still have weeks of w inter to get through. You can use that time wisely to ensure all your home's windows, skylights and doors are in good working order -- and ready for action when spring arrives. With some simple maintenance of existing windows and skylights -- and replacing older models -- it's possible to improve your home's energy e f f i c i e n c y a n d a p p e a rance, and prep for spring at the same time. W hile you may be versed in w indow maintenance, many homeowners are less sure of how to properly care for skylights. Velux, manufacturer of solar powered fresh air skylights, offers some guidance: Moder n sk y l ig ht s a re a s du rable a nd ef f ic ient a s today's top-quality windows, so ma i ntena nce requ i rements are relatively minimal on newer models. Start by cleaning glass thoroughly. Soak the skylight glass with clean water and mild soap to loosen dirt and debris. Use a mi ld, non-abrasive glass cleaner and a soft brush or pad to clean the glass, a nd i m med iately remove the cleaning solution with a squeegee or lint-free cloth. Never use metal scrapers, blades or knives as they can scratch or damage glass. Use appropriate caution when climbing ladders to reach your skylight. You can find more skylight cleaning tips at www.veluxusa.com. If your skylights have pre-finished wood frames, inspect them every year before spring and look for signs of peeling, cracking or fading that will need to be re-finished. Re-
finish or re-paint as needed following the manufacturer's guidelines. Check to ensure all exterior fasteners a re secure, a nd that cladding and f lashing are free of excessive wear or scratches. Immediately replace damaged claddings and flashings. For fresh air (venting) skylights, check the mechanism that opens the sash. Open skylights (and then turn off the power if your skylight is electric) and use a clean, dry towel to wipe off the chain. Don't use cleaner or solvent. If your skylight has blinds (which improve its overall energ y-efficiency), inspect those as well to ensure they're work i ng properly. If you haven't yet installed blinds, now is a good time to do so. Remote-cont rol led, sola rpowered blinds a llow you to easily open and close a Velux solar powered fresh air skylight and shade it when the sun touches that part of the roof -- improving the sk yl ig ht's energ y per formance rating by as much as 45 percent. And a 30 percent Federal tax credit is available on not only solar powered skylights and blinds but on the installation cost as well. W hile maintaining a sk ylight can extend its useful l i fe, even t he best-made product will eventually need replacement. If your home has an older model skylight, replacing it before spring w ith an Energ yStar-qualified model can help improve your home's overall energy efficiency, prevent leaks and enhance how the sk ylight looks and functions in your home. And if it happens that you're having roof replacement work done, dealing with skylights at the same time can save you money. Insta l lat ion ca n of ten be done in a day and a range of product features ensure
you'll find the energ y-efficient sk ylight a nd st ylish blind that works best with your home. From the latest Clean, Quiet & Safe glass that stays clean longer while reducing outside noise, to Sun Tunnel tubular skylights that can bring sunshine into lower-level rooms, homeowners have many options for bringing natural light and fresh air into their homes. Not sure how a skylight will look in your home? Velu x offers a free, downloadable skylight planner app. By adding skylights, taking ca re of ex ist ing units, or replacing older models with Energ yStar-qualified solar powered fresh air units, you can help ensure your skylights are ready to let natural light and fresh air in when spring finally arrives.
Low maintenance Sun Tunnel tubular skylights are inexpensive and easily installed. They provide natural light through a variety of fashionable ceiling diffusers to areas of the home where traditional skylights aren’t the best solution for daylighting.
Venting fresh air skylights, with energy-efficient blinds, add style while providing natural light and passive ventilation. Proper care of skylights and windows will provide the best daylighting experience.
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www.rsosgood.com email: rsosgood@roadrunner.com *$0 down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota BX, B, L, M, TLB and ZP, DM, RA and TE Hay Tools equipment is available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 3/31/2014. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0% A.P.R. and low-rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 3/31/2014. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2014