VELUX SKYLIGHTS AND FLOORING OPTIONS
Hi guys want some advise, I am in Perth WA. I want to add some velux skylights in to my extension. I am not sure if i should put them on the north or south face. I want to get max light into existing kitchen and dining areas, as they will only get darker with the added area. But don't want to add them to my existing kitchen ceiling as there is helps of stuff in the roof in the way. So the room faces north and I have added them to the south face for light not heat, but not sure if that's the best move.
Second question is flooring we are thinking of polished concrete as we will have a fireplace and young kids and don't want them to damage timber floors like our existing Jarrah ones. But its like 8000, that's including foam insulation under as I am worried they will be cold.
Anyone have any opinions on either issue
Comments (7)
oklouise
4 years agohails_b_86
4 years agoThanks for you input. I did the plans as I am a draftee but dont do extensions. The reason for sky lights is the existing kitchen dining is dark already so will only get worse and want to add some light in there. You are so right about the view of the roof not the sky and our lovely backyard tree. Think I will change it to the north face. plus you will see them as you walk into the room rather then have to turn around to see them.
Wasn't really sure what you meant about gables though, can you clarify that? cannot really afford to redo the whole roof and this seemed like the most efficient option. Attached the elevations and site so you can see how it sits.
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Comments (41)Hi Sarah, hope you enjoyed your travels last night, that's something we have spent our lives doing plus living in different countries. Do look into the attic room/s they are lovely and the Velux skylights very unobtrusive, look great and if positioned correctly take care of venting any hot air, as I mentioned ours were pivoting ones and could be locked open in several positions. I much prefer these to dormer windows, you don't really notice them. The stairs were built off site and lifted into position and installed, built in. At the time we did ours a very good friend a builder did the same but just completely opened the whole ceiling space right out towards the gutters into a large bedroom play study area for his daughters, also using Velux windows. Glass ceilings, like Velux windows have been around for years, believe me I know, we're both getting older. Velux windows can be used as glass ceilings in opening and non opening configurations. I would love to see you keep the outdoor loo as well and updating the old shed into a new connecting space to the house, perhaps a glass breezeway. I will have another look at your plan again over the weekend. I love your front iron gate as well, auto sliding driveway gates work really well and would really fit with your carport. My brother in law put in a tall timber sliding gate at his last home, lovely cheers...See MoreCan you help us with our kitchen reno floor plan?
Comments (83)I've been playing around with a pantry location. Originally, I was going to move the pantry into the laundry with some custom shelving and cut the laundry space in half. Now, Im thinking of cutting into the study area and building a wall there, and converting the new space into a long and narrow walk in pantry. Either that or build half a wall and put built in shelving in the study. Building the extra wall will reduce the need to cover in the door way that is currently in place and instead utilising it. Thoughts? p.s. this isnt too scale....See MoreNatural light best options??
Comments (26)We put a covered, insulated long roof on our north facing outdoor area adjacent to indoor living spaces (in a manner much like yours) 20 years ago. We have experienced 20 grey winters inside our home since then with lights on constantly by necessity, but the summers are fantastic with the inside well sheltered from heat. To some extent we consider this the lesser of all possible evils, but winters are not fun inside. We put a skylight in the alfresco roof which - because of a steep roof pitch - allows some light inside in winter, but not enough. Have you thought of turning the alfresco 90 degrees so that some sun can enter the home easily in winter? A deciduous vine on a pergola over the exposed windows could shield the house in summer. This newly exposed space could be garden or decking without a roof. BTW, I would definitely stay away from indoor skylights - even triple glazed ones let in far too much heat in summer. I have met so many people who regret their decision to put in even a very expensive and supposedly heat proof skylight - a number who now clamber onto their roof every summer with bricks and a tarp to cover the skylight. Some who’ve given up on taking it down in winter - such a waste of money and what an effort! I’ve heard solar tubes provide light without heat but they don’t offer the beauty of a Velux style skylight. Good luck with the build. And may I suggest you reduce walking distances inside - you want to age-in-place gracefully, if you can. EDIT: Looking at your plan again I realise you have 2 windows (one on either side of the alfresco) that will allow northern light inside in winter - assuming the alfresco is due north, which I think you said earlier it is. This is MUCH better than the situation we have - ALL windows (actually 2 x long bifold doors) are covered by the alfresco roof in our situation. You are starting with better bones than we had, even if you change nothing. I would make the window to the L on your plan a door (if it isn't already), to really maximise the light that enters there. The window to the R is in the kitchen, so not much you can do there, except perhaps go for the largest window possible. So perhaps this is not in need of a massive change??...See MorePlans for extension - thoughts on floor plan?
Comments (29)retain the second living area, better resale value as more rooms and you will find it more useful the longer you stay. until the children are in primary school they will want to be in the same living room as you so they will play out in the back living area but over time you will be happy to have a separate play room full of toys you dont have to look at constantly while in the kitchen. I would definetely put both children in 1 room for at least 5 years then you will have another room that could become a third adult sitting/reading area. courtyards let in light and could almost become the second living room, or could turn out to look neglected with dead plants and somewhere you have to sweep up all the time its windy?...See Moreoklouise
4 years agohails_b_86
4 years ago- PRO
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4 years ago oklouise
4 years agoi meant a roof with a simple skillion shape with southern clerestory windows.
but i'm also wondering how the original rooms will be used and suggest adding kitchen cabinets and furniture to the whole house to have a better understanding of traffic patterns but can't read dimensions to do this
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