We installed a skylight over shower (velux fixed) in a tiny ensuite and I would highly recommend. It looked absolutely amazing and was heavenly to shower under the sky. We only had the house for a year and sold it (about to install another skylight over shower in our new house), so I can't comment on the long term, but no mould problems or condensation drips. I think if anything the sunlight was actually helpful to dry up moisture. We live in Tasmania so I'd doubt condensation dripping would be a problem elsewhere. We had a fan installed not in the cavity with the skylight but just on the ceiling next to it. In the second bathroom we put in a skylight over bath and put an extractor in the skylight cavity as the ceiling was higher. Could not feel a draught- so I think the question of where to put fan really depends on ceiling height. Do the skylight over shower!! You will not regret it. It really takes your bathroom to another level and there are really no maintenance problems if installed properly with custom flashings. I found velux quite repellent of dirt etc, we did not need to clean after a year (one flat roof skylight, one very large sloped) and I have seen velux skylights looking great with no cleaning for 7 years plus.

The only skylight I would consider is from Velux as they have double glazed units with lots of shading and openable options. I would steer well clear of the old fashioned polycarbonate dome type as you have no control of the heat gain (or loss). Cost depend on size, slope of roof, type of roof construction, block-out screen and openable options. With the screen and openable options you also have the option of powering it through your homes electricity, in which case you will need a powerpoint installed in your roof space, or using integrated solar panels and battery. There are lots of Brisbane based companies that do supply and install for Velux skylights, so they should be able to quote. https://www.velux.com.au/ Bunnings also sell them if you check out their website, but you will need to arrange installation yourself, and in my experience it is better to go through a supply and install company for a better guarantee against potential roof leakage problems. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Putting roof lights in a Perth house (indeed most Australian houses) creates the potential for unwanted heat gain, so they are generally best not facing north. Even high performance ones such as Velux which are really designed with European and North American climates in mind. Aussie sunshine delivers about 1000 Watts per square metre of radiant heat for much of the day. We usually don't need a multi-kilowatt roof heater in our homes... South light is indirect, which avoids pools of sunshine creating potential glare, but still about 70% as bright as north light, with way less heat gain potential. Polishing concrete can be a bit of a lottery. I have seen many examples where the owner is disappointed with the outcome. A safer bet might be to use large format rectified edge concrete-look ceramic tiles? At least you will be sure of what the finished product will look like. Maybe do a cost comparison between the two. Unless the concrete polishing is a DIY effort, you might be surprised at the cost of getting it done. An insulated edge slab on ground should not be cold under foot in Perth, particularly with your fireplace taking the edge off in winter.

Are you in Southern Hemisphere, if so it’s such a good option, ensure you get double glazed with remote controlled honeycomb insulating blind. I have x 4 across my south facing kitchen living area, the light is so beautiful, we do close blinds every cold winter night to keep in heat and open in morning (indoor plants are thriving) we close in height of summer on the really hots days but open in evening ( all with a push of a button). We have x 2 that we can manually open, great on summer evenings.