A natural source of light at home and energy-efficient, that’s the best way to describe Skylights! Read on to know about the nitty-gritty of having one installed at home.
Do you want to brighten up your dark rooms naturally? Add a skylight! It not only adds natural light but also offers the added benefits of reduced electricity bills.
Apart from brightening up a room with a stylish appeal, these are also good for changing the ambience of the room. In addition, it also aids in ventilation if there are fewer windows in the room. However, installing a skylight can be tricky. So here’s what you need to know before you do so:
Plan Properly
Installing skylights is a great idea but evaluating minute details is very important too. You need to know if your house can accommodate a skylight and what would be the outcome. Planning properly will make sure the exact amount of light required. For instance, if it’s a kitchen or a bathroom it would require less light compared to a lobby or a room.
Perfect Position
A window on the wall lets the sunlight enter at a lower angle and limits the higher angle rays. However, the scenario is different in the case of a skylight. Keeping in mind the position of the sun is very important because the sun follows a path from morning till night which affects the lighting of the house.
If the roof faces the south and has a slope, then southward facing light can cause a room to become very hot. However, the light will be softer towards the north.
Professionals also suggest installing tinted grey or bronze glass to prevent exposure to ultra-violet rays.
Ideal Size
The main reason to have a skylight at home is to add natural light. Installing one that is too small would not be effective enough but will cost the same amount. It is preferable to know the requirement before installing one. If it is a kitchen or bathroom, a smaller skylight is good but for a room, a small skylight can just be an additional cost. So, do not let your investment be a bad investment.
Looks Matter
Skylights are not used only for sunlight but also to add a stylish appeal to your home. They do not generally go well with traditionally made homes. Therefore, they can accommodate skylights in a similar texture to their windows and doors. You can think of your ceiling as a place to create a design and then accommodate a skylight.
Basic Types of Skylights:
- Tube: A tube is attached to the roof and ceiling just like any other tube and captures sun rays.
- Fixed: They are completely fixed and cannot be moved or opened.
- Electric Venting: They can be opened or closed using an electric button.
- Manual Venting: You can open or close it using the lever.
Windows vs Skylights
Ideally, a house should have a mix of both as each serves a different purpose depending on the requirement. Generally, a house layout gets approved based on the exits available for escape in an emergency. Windows are the most functional exits in such cases. However, having a skylight can help you keep up with the natural light and atmosphere.
