Curb Mounted vs Deck Mounted Skylights

Sunlight has the power to dramatically change the ambiance of your home, and skylights are a great way to bring some of that magical light indoors. But before you decide on adding a skylight to your home, you should take into consideration whether a curb mounted or deck mounted skylight is right for you. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between these two types of skylights and provide tips on how to pick the best option. So

What is a bridge or sidewalk light?

A bridge or sidewalk light is a fixture designed to help provide visibility, safety and atmosphere in an outdoor environment. In most cases it is mounted on an exterior wall, or a bridge overpass. These fixtures typically feature metal housing that is sealed against water and other elements, keeping them durable and functioning properly even in harsh climates. They may either be curb-mounted or deck-mounted to best suit each application’s needs. Curb-mounted lights are placed into cutouts on concrete curbs and are flush with the ground. Deck-mounted lights are also often used for stairwells and decks, as they provide more light than wall-mounted options. As the lighting needs of any given space will vary from place to place, careful consideration must be taken when selecting a bridge or sidewalk light to ensure appropriate illumination as well as efficient energy usage.

Curbside lights

Curb-mounted skylights are installed outside a home among the roof shingles and flashing. A hole is generally cut in the roof and then a curb, which looks like a rectangular box, is built up around the opening. The skylight is secured onto the top of this housing structure or “curb”. With this type of installation there are no visible elements from inside or outside the house giving an unobstructed view to the sky.

The roof membrane must be sealed around the skylight’s curb edges to protect against water and air infiltration. In addition, installing this type of sky light often requires experienced workers and specialized tools for cutting precise shaped openings in your home’s roof material — leading to longer installation times, higher labor costs and higher overall costs for materials.

When compared with deck mounted units, curbside lights have more precise control of thermal performance due to better insulation properties along with improved security because they are less accessible externally as they blend in with surrounding roofing materials making them more difficult to detect.

Which is better – raised edges or patio roof dormers?

When considering the installation of a skylight on your deck or patio, you have two main options – curb mounted or deck mounted skylights. Each type of skylight has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account when choosing the right one for your space.

Curb mounted skylights are designed to fit over a raised edge, usually around 4 to 6 inches high, that encloses the bottom of the window frame. This is an ideal option for decks that require more headroom than would be available with a standard flat-type window. They are also often cheaper than other skylight options and provide excellent insulation against temperature fluctuations and air leakage. The downside is that these types of windows can be difficult to install and may require professional assistance in some cases.

Deck mounted skylights, on the other hand, are fitted directly onto a roof or patio roof dormer (an upper level addition). These windows offer an unobstructed view from within the home’s interior space due to their slim profile design, but they are typically more expensive than curb mounted varieties because they require much more construction skill and labor during installation. Additionally, as they don’t have any raised edges, they provide less insulation against temperature changes than curb-mount types do.

What type of skylight is best?

When selecting a skylight, there are a variety of variables to consider such as size, shape, cost and installation methods. Two types of skylights are available — curb mounted and deck mounted. It is important to know the difference between the two before making a decision on which type is best for your home.

Curb mounted skylights sit on top of the roof structure (the “curb”) surrounding the opening in the roof. It usually requires cutting into the roof and/or rafters to install them properly. While more permanent and typically more secure than their deck-mounted counterparts, curb mounted skylights can be costly and require specialized installation that may not be available in certain areas.

In contrast, deck-mounted skylights sit directly on top of the existing roof sheathing or shingles without any kind of frame or base necessary for installation. Deck mount models are much easier to install and usually less expensive than curb mount models; however they don’t provide as much protection against water infiltration and wind damage compared to their curb mounted counterparts.

Which type of skylight is right for you will depend upon your budget, local laws/regulations as well as individual needs such as energy efficiency or style preferences. If you are uncertain which type would work best in your home’s environment it may be beneficial to consult a professional before making your final decision.