Q I live in Houston and as you no doubt know, it can get pretty hot here during the summer. With windows, there are many options such as low-e glazing or thermal break windows, or even a combination of both. What you need to factor in is the cost and how much these options would really save you. Consider the length of time you will own the home. Another option would be to upgrade the insulation.
Insulation is relatively inexpensive and can reduce utility costs in both summer and winter.
At this time we are not using steel framing in the construction of our homes. We are, however, using aluminum studs with wood trusses in some communities in Orlando. A Some of our plans do offer skylights - whether or not they can be purchased as an option would best be discussed with your sales and builder team. As for reliability against leaks, although we have come a long way, skylights can still have the long-term potential for leaks. The manufacturer's recommendations must be followed for installation.