The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
It's easy to transform dark areas lurking in your home with a natural light source
T Stanley
9 May 2014
Bathrooms, hallways, closets, laundries, roof cavities and home offices have a tendency to be dark and dreary if they receive little or no daylight. Skylights are an affordable and eco-conscious solution that provide more natural light than traditional windows. Their diversity of shape, size, glazing, frames and installation options means they can be tailored to suit most residences. Here are some of the great reasons to consider having one or more installed as part of your next reno project.
Quality investment
When consulting a professional supplier and installer, check the model you want is manufactured and tested to the relevant Australian standard in order to maximise the safety and life of the product. The Skylight Industry Association, the industry’s official body, reports that shonky traders may falsely claim to be a member of their organisation, so it’s a good idea to browse through the association’s ‘find a member’ page on the website (www.siai.com.au) to ensure you are getting a reputable registered installer of a quality product. Skylights must be selected and installed with care to prevent undue heat loss or gain, or any water leaks, in your home.
When consulting a professional supplier and installer, check the model you want is manufactured and tested to the relevant Australian standard in order to maximise the safety and life of the product. The Skylight Industry Association, the industry’s official body, reports that shonky traders may falsely claim to be a member of their organisation, so it’s a good idea to browse through the association’s ‘find a member’ page on the website (www.siai.com.au) to ensure you are getting a reputable registered installer of a quality product. Skylights must be selected and installed with care to prevent undue heat loss or gain, or any water leaks, in your home.
Versatility of design
There are many types of skylights available, including roof windows that could assist you in transforming an unused roof cavity into a sunny, functional area filled with fresh air. Roof windows can be double glazed and can offer controllable ventilation via manually or electrically operated vent flaps. Fixed window models are ideal for areas where further ventilation is not needed. Also, tubular devices that capture direct sunlight and diffuse it at ceiling level around the room can be used if you wish to reduce glare.
There are many types of skylights available, including roof windows that could assist you in transforming an unused roof cavity into a sunny, functional area filled with fresh air. Roof windows can be double glazed and can offer controllable ventilation via manually or electrically operated vent flaps. Fixed window models are ideal for areas where further ventilation is not needed. Also, tubular devices that capture direct sunlight and diffuse it at ceiling level around the room can be used if you wish to reduce glare.
Mood improvement
Natural light lifts your mood and may combat mild, seasonal depression due to the energising effect of a bright room. It regulates your internal biological clock, helping with disturbed sleep patterns so you should wake up feeling refreshed. It can also make you more productive by boosting your energy level, improving concentration and reducing eye strain, as it allows the eyes to focus with less exertion than is needed in artificial light. Therefore, a skylight is ideal in the ceiling above a reading area or a home office.
Natural light lifts your mood and may combat mild, seasonal depression due to the energising effect of a bright room. It regulates your internal biological clock, helping with disturbed sleep patterns so you should wake up feeling refreshed. It can also make you more productive by boosting your energy level, improving concentration and reducing eye strain, as it allows the eyes to focus with less exertion than is needed in artificial light. Therefore, a skylight is ideal in the ceiling above a reading area or a home office.
Illusion of space
Skylights are ideal for placement in small homes or rooms as their illumination will make paint colours appear truer and brighter, plus shadows are reduced, creating a more appealing environment. They can be fitted in new or existing homes and are very handy for when space restrictions or location don’t allow for standard windows.
Peek inside this home here.
Skylights are ideal for placement in small homes or rooms as their illumination will make paint colours appear truer and brighter, plus shadows are reduced, creating a more appealing environment. They can be fitted in new or existing homes and are very handy for when space restrictions or location don’t allow for standard windows.
Peek inside this home here.
Increase property value
If you’re renovating with potential resale value in mind, you’ll want to consider eco-friendly and sustainable design features that are a must these days, so discuss the best type of skylight for your climate and the orientation of your home with an industry professional.
If you’re renovating with potential resale value in mind, you’ll want to consider eco-friendly and sustainable design features that are a must these days, so discuss the best type of skylight for your climate and the orientation of your home with an industry professional.
Quick makeover solution
As far as renovation projects go, the installation of skylights is an affordable task that, depending on their scale and design, can be done reasonably quickly by professionals whose turnaround time may be as little as a day.
As far as renovation projects go, the installation of skylights is an affordable task that, depending on their scale and design, can be done reasonably quickly by professionals whose turnaround time may be as little as a day.
Reduce heating and lighting costs
Skylights freely admit sunlight into your home and distribute it evenly, reducing the need to rely on artificial light. They provide more than three times as much light as a vertical window of the same size and also allow in heat from the sun, lowering your need for artificial heating in the area. All this means you’ll enjoy lower electricity and gas bills – and, over time, recoup the cost of the installation!
Learn how to go greener through design here.
Skylights freely admit sunlight into your home and distribute it evenly, reducing the need to rely on artificial light. They provide more than three times as much light as a vertical window of the same size and also allow in heat from the sun, lowering your need for artificial heating in the area. All this means you’ll enjoy lower electricity and gas bills – and, over time, recoup the cost of the installation!
Learn how to go greener through design here.
Easily customised
Skylights come in many combinations of shape, size, glazing, frame and installation details, yet bespoke models can be manufactured if standard ones aren’t suitable for your home.
Skylights come in many combinations of shape, size, glazing, frame and installation details, yet bespoke models can be manufactured if standard ones aren’t suitable for your home.
Upgradable
Existing skylights that are draughty or unglazed can be replaced with newer models, if desired. Alternatively, they can be resealed or given blinds or covers for thermal efficiency and to keep up with current design improvements.
Take a tour of this home here.
Existing skylights that are draughty or unglazed can be replaced with newer models, if desired. Alternatively, they can be resealed or given blinds or covers for thermal efficiency and to keep up with current design improvements.
Take a tour of this home here.
Low maintenance
The occasional checking of any moving parts, the cleaning of exteriors and removal of any leafy debris will help ensure your skylight functions with efficiency.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Where have you placed a skylight in your home? We’d love to see a high resolution photo in the comments section below.
The occasional checking of any moving parts, the cleaning of exteriors and removal of any leafy debris will help ensure your skylight functions with efficiency.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Where have you placed a skylight in your home? We’d love to see a high resolution photo in the comments section below.
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I know this is an old post but I'm a bit stuck on a design dilemma regarding sky lights.
Hubby and I are building our own home apart from using tradies like the roofer, electrician etc...just at the stage of getting the roof on our home and have to purchase a skylight for an interrnal bedroom with dimensions of about 4m x 4m.
I have searched Houzz to see if I could find a story or advice section on choosing the right sized skylight for a room however, there doesn't appear to be anything quite so specific, so I wondered if you were able to help with my query??
I await your reply,
Cheers,
Barbara