Skylights can be a beautiful, functional addition to your home, but you need to consider several factors before installing a skylight.
Want more light in your Seattle-area home? Consider installing a skylight. Naturally, rooms directly below the roof are the best places for skylights, though solar tubes can provide skylights in rooms below attics. You can make an informed decision if you are aware of the benefits, drawbacks, and various types of skylights.
Skylights Increase Natural Light
The amount of natural light in the room will increase if a skylight is added to the roof. The rooms with no other windows or those with windows close to other structures that block most of the natural light, benefit the most from additional natural light.
Glare Can be Caused by Some Types of Skylight
To reduce the risk of sun glare, be sure to carefully place skylights and use the correct type. This glare can make a room feel uncomfortably bright or hot, limiting its use and causing items in the room to fade. To minimize the risk of glare, add a light filter or shade to the skylight.
A Room Can Appear Larger Due to Skylights
A room may feel less inviting if regular lighting doesn’t always reach all the corners. The room will appear larger if a skylight is added and strategically placed so that light reaches all of its corners. The skylight provides an additional opportunity to bring the outside in and so increase the perception of the room’s size.
Energy Can Be Saved with the Right Skylight
If you choose the right kind of skylight, you could save money on heating and cooling. Although skylights have a reputation for energy leaks, this is usually the case with less expensive or improperly installed models. Today’s skylights are more energy-efficient thanks to manufacturers. Open skylights on hot days can improve circulation and reduce heat.
The Light is Controlled by the Shape
Depending on where you want the light to shine in the space, you can choose the shape of the skylight. While skylights with straight sides will direct light in a straight line, those with side flares will spread the light out more.
Limit Heat Gain with the Right Skylight Material
During scorching summers, heat gain can make a space uncomfortable. Choose a skylight with bronze tint, tempered, double-insulated glass with Low-E coatings and argon gas between the panes. This is a most effective skylight for reducing heat gain, and it enables skylights to be installed even on the south and west sides of a house.
Heat Gain Is Affected by the Skylight’s Slope
The U.S. Department of Energy advises installing skylights at a slope that is between 5 and 15 degrees higher than the latitude where you live to minimize solar heat gain.
In Hot Climates, Opening or Vented Skylights are Beneficial.
In hot climates, skylights without special coatings or ones that can’t open can make a room feel warm. To increase fresh air and reduce heat in the room where the skylight is located, choose a skylight that can vent or open.
The Benefits of Automatic Skylights
Think about installing a skylight with rain and heat sensors if you can afford it. This kind of skylight can close if it detects rain, and open to expel extra heat if the room is too hot. This protects the house and keeps a skylight-equipped room more comfortable on hot days. These skylights might also come with programmable remotes.
For more details on the various roof skylight options which might be best suited for you, get in touch with Four Seasons Roofing. Any additional roofing requirement you may have can be met by Four Seasons Roofing.