What are the advantages of skylights?
Most people like to think of large windows and patio doors to gather more light at home. However, it could be that they do not consider the most effective option. I am referring to skylights. There is something about light coming from above. It is different, and it changes the entire space of the room. Instead of harsh light pouring from the front, you gain a gentle diffusion of light that enhances the feeling of airiness, and tranquility. In my experience, I have seen skylights change the perception of space from dark and claustrophobic to open and light comfortable enough to spend time in. So if you are contemplating ways to add some more natural light to your home, we will let you consider some pointers that may help you decide to install skylights.
Light That Changes Everything
Skylights bring many benefits, the most clear one being the light itself. But having more light isn't the only benefit, it is the quality of that light. When light shines from windows, it usually creates a lot of random shadows and really bright areas. Having a bright window create a really dim corner. A skylight brings light from above which helps spread the light more evenly. Having a skylight makes the room feel more natural and calm. I have walked into rooms with skylights, and I can instantly feel the difference between the rooms that only have regular windows. I feel more open almost like the roof is gone. When it is cloudy, a skylight still diffuses light and brightens up the room instead of letting it become a gloomy place. Having a skylight is one of those improvements that you have and you enjoy every day.
Skylights provide multiple sides of functionality. Operable skylights provide the opportunity for warm air to escape through the the top of the room. If you've been in a stuffy kitchen or bathroom, you know how useful that is. Hot air rises, so when a skylight is opened, the warm air is sucked out of the room, while lower in the room, cooler air is drawn in. Instead of having fans, or complicated cooling systems, airflow is created through the open skylight. I've seen this in bedrooms and lofts that capture heat. When you open a skylight along with some windows, you gain a controlled airflow that creates a comfortable room. It's nice to know that through the work of nature, your home remains comfortable without air conditioning.
Greater Versatility and Comfort
Conventional glass fittings are a bane for most people – their biggest fear is losing privacy. Whether it’s a bathroom or bedroom, or a room facing the road, they are forced to pick between their preferred choice, the natural light from a glass fixture, and their privacy. Sure, window coverings would keep the glass privacy secure, but cover rods would also compromise the light and the aesthetic of the room. A valid solution to all these troubles are skylights. Being overhead, skylights are completely unobtrusive, and remain covered to outside views while still inviting enough sunlight to brighten a space. It is not unusual for a solitary skylight to turn a bathroom from feeling like a burdensome capsule to a space full of flow. The same applies to most skylight applications, like tucked away bedrooms or bathroom/s hallway pairs. If privacy is a concern, a room fitted with a skylight solution is where you can completely do away with a light source from the roof.
Modern Skylights
There is a belief that a hole in the roof will increase a building's energy costs, and that worry is easy to understand if someone has a cheap and poorly designed skylight. However, with rapid advancements in technology, a number of modern skylights have insulated glass, thermally broken frames, and low-emissivity coatings, which gives them performance ratings comparable to those of high-end windows. Furthermore, a skylight installed in an optimal location can actually help to save energy. For example, a passive solar heat gain occurs in the winter that can help provide heat to a building, and with the right coatings, a skylight can reduce the amount of solar radiation that is allowed to enter a building and therefore reduce the amount of cooling needed in the building. I have spoken to a number of homeowners that have skylights in darker rooms, and they reported that they used less artificial lighting. All of that saved energy can have a positive impact in the long run. Of course, the first step in unlocking the energy saving potential of a skylight is to choose the best product available, and the second step is to make sure that the skylight is installed perfectly.
A Design Element That Adds Character
Skylights increase the value of a space. They create a pleasing architectural feature that inspires people to look up. A space with a skylight feels elevated and more designed. I have seen many clever uses of skylights. In a kitchen, small skylights can be arranged above a countertop to create a workspace that feels like a direct line to the sky. In the living room, a large skylight can capture the treetops and clouds, turning the ceiling into an ever-changing artwork. A skylight can be an excellent source of illumination in a hallway staircase. They bring life to corners of a house where wall windows bring wall windows. With a variety of shapes and forms, skylights can be matched with the style. You can go with an architectural clean rectangular shape or a more quirky choice.
It is all about Quality Installations.
Skylight installations require just as much attention as the quality of the skylight itself. High end skylight products will leak if installed poorly. On the other hand, one of the better skylight products can last several decades if installed well. This is largely dependent on the quality of flashing. Flashing is the material that seals the gap between the skylight and the roof. Properly installed flashing creates a seal that diverts water away from the skylight, just as a chimney diverter does. However, poorly installed flashing will leak. This is why professional help is a must. You should never try to do it yourself. When all of these factors come together, skylights can almost make a home feel complete, because they require almost no additional work from you. Properly installed skylights will give you light, and will help improve the atmosphere of your home.
A Connection to the Sky
Although it may be difficult to articulate, it deserves consideration. Skylights offer a unique connection to the outdoors that traditional windows do not provide. Skylights offer a view of moving clouds, the night moon, and provide the benefits of a direct light exposure and the energizing effects of sunlight. Rainy days offer a different experience where you can hear raindrop sounds and watch the glass as the drops race down it. This minor architectural element can truly change the way one interacts with and experiences a space. Many people experience a bright and even calming feeling throughout the space. People describe their skylights as the favorite aspect of the house. Although the technical features of a house may be necessary and reasonable, the feeling that a skylight creates is equally as important. Comfortable, happy, and even joyful feelings created from the sunlight that a skylight brought into their home is the type of benefit that cannot be measured, yet is the most important.
Skylights can be a thoughtful addition for brighter rooms and a new feeling to a space. They bring in a different quality of light, aid with ventilation and energy savings, and provide privacy. When done well, a skylight becomes an appreciated daily feature in your home. It is one of those renovations that reminds you how important natural light really is.
