Skylights: Choosing the right one for your home

Windows are usually the main source of light entry into your home but sometimes they are not sufficient to lighten up tight corners, passageways or centrally located rooms and this is where skylights are a great alternative to leaving the lights on all day.

Choosing the right skylight for your home

When you are looking to light up a dark spot in your home a skylight is an excellent option. Skylights let in a lot of clean natural light, even in overcast conditions, and are a very cost effective solution in areas where you need more light. There are several designs so when choosing yours, look at:

• Size
• Solar control
• Energy ratings
• Your roof type
• Spacing when lighting up larger areas

Your roof area and style and shape of your roof will be the best indicators of the type of skylight to choose and your retailer can be very helpful here.
The correct sizing is important as the skylight you choose need to be the right size to allow for just enough light to come into the area, rather than too much.
For warmer climates it is suggested that you also include some energy efficient climate control like glazing into your skylight design.

Skylights: what are the available styles?

There are three types of skylights. Plastic dome designs that have long shafts with diffuser panels that sit flush with your ceiling. Tubular skylights that have a reflecting tube to direct the sunlight down into the room which also have deflecting lights panels at ceiling height. These work at their best when the tube is straight but flexible tubing is also very effective if the reflecting properties of the lining are high.

Roof windows are a popular skylight choice for attics, mezzanines or rooms with cathedral ceilings. The lack of roof space in these instances rules out the tubular or dome lighting option. Some types of roof windows are permanently ventilated.

Maintain your skylight with a good yearly clean with water and detergent to both the inside and outside surfaces but harsher climates may necessitate twice yearly cleaning of your skylight.

Ask about the Skylight Energy Rating Scheme (SERS) when choosing skylights for your home.