A General Overview of Skylights to Consider for a Home

If you want to make your home open and welcoming, you could consider installing a skylight. Depending on the room and what you want to achieve, you have several options. Here is a general overview.

Sun Tunnel

A walk-in robe and a windowless powder room are spaces that lack natural lighting. You can let some shine in by fitting a sun tunnel in the roof to create the right amount of lighting. A sun tunnel has a small, round dome on the roof that connects to a reflective tube extending through the roof cavity. The daylight enters the dome and bounces along the tunnel before entering your home through the ceiling opening. Sun tunnels suit varied architectures, as the tubing can be different lengths and bend to even turn corners. You'll save money on artificial lights and enjoy the brightness. You won't have to feel around in a dark wardrobe.

Roof Windows

Roof windows are another skylight variant. If you have a room with a cathedral ceiling that reaches a peak or an attic space, a roof window may be the ideal lighting solution. These openings are like a vertical window and a skylight combined. They typically open and look like a standard window on a wall, but they fit onto the slanted part of the ceiling. These skylight windows are out of reach and often operable with a remote control, like a standard skylight.

Standard Skylight

A third option is a standard skylight, which is usually built with a straight shaft that connects the roof to the ceiling. These contraptions can be fixed or opened to allow air to flow out. They can be clear, allowing you to gaze at the sky, or diffused to soften the light that flows into your room.

Because a skylight is on top of the building, it has the potential to bring in unwanted solar heat and rain. However, you can curb these possible effects by adding certain features during your skylight installation. For example, you could fit the skylight with energy-efficient glass, such as Low-E glass or double glazing, to stop heat from both entering and exiting your house.

You can also fit a remote-controlled blind on the skylight to darken a room. For protection from unexpected rain, you can install a model with a moisture sensor that will automatically recognise if it's starting to rain and close itself without you doing anything.

Contact skylight installation services to learn more.