Skylights are one of the best additions you can make to your home – they offer not just an aesthetic appeal but also functional benefits that make them an excellent investment. If you don’t know how to choose a skylight that is right for your home, the first step you need to take is to identify the different types of skylights available on the market today.
There are two main types of skylights – fixed skylights and operable skylights. Fixed skylights are the most popular type of skylight as they’re the first iteration of the skylight, and as the name suggests, the skylight is fixed and does not open to allow air to circulate. Operable skylights, on the other hand, also known as ventilated skylights, are multi-purpose skylights since they are a great source of natural light and, at the same time, provide ventilation.
Making a choice between these two types of skylights boils down to which part of your house you wish to install them. Each square skylight can dramatically change the look and feel of any area of your home. Installing skylights may be one of the best decisions you will make for your home.
There are also a range of LED skylights on the market, but there’s no comparison between a traditional skylight and a faux skylight, which for all intents and purposes is nothing more than an indoor, artificial light in the shape of a skylight. They do have their purposes, such as internal rooms or other rooms where access to a roof is not available. However, in most circumstances a traditional skylight is the way to go.
The Top Benefits of Installing Skylights
Although skylights might seem like expensive home fixtures, the plethora of benefits they offer more than make up for the cost of skylight installation. With skylights, you can enjoy:
- More natural light coming into your space: One of the best benefits of skylights is allowing an abundant amount of natural light into your home. There’s nothing like waking up with the sun shining on your bedroom to start your day.
- Fresh air at all times: When you opt for an operable skylight, you’ll get the added benefit of improving the air circulation in your home, especially in areas where stale air tends to build up, such as the kitchen and bathrooms.
- Reduce energy consumption: As more natural light and fresh air enter your home, the need for artificial light and air conditioning is reduced. And since sunlight comes with solar heat, it also helps with the increased demand for heat gain during the winter season.
- Improve aesthetic appeal: Skylights are not only functional but also add a new dimension to the interior of your home. Since they are flexible, they are also easy to integrate with any home design. Skylights also make any room appear more spacious, giving it a cosier feel.
- Boost resale value: Another great return on investment benefit of installing skylights is that they help increase the resale value of your home. Potential home buyers love the idea of a home with abundant sunlight coming in and aesthetically modern touch in design.
How to Choose a Skylight
If you’re new to the idea of installing skylights, you might be wondering how to choose a skylight. There are several factors to consider, such as:
- Function: Determine what the primary and secondary objectives of installing skylights are. Aside from improving ventilation, what other things do you want to get out of skylights?
- Shape & Size: Square skylights are the most popular shape of skylights, and they are very versatile. Choose a skylight that can be fitted on almost all types of roofs for easy installation. The size of the skylights will depend on how big the room is.
- Add-ons: Accessories such as skylight blinds are ideal if you wish to control the amount of light entering your home, especially during summer.
- Compliance: Before installing skylights, it is necessary to consult your local council if there are any bushfire building codes or specific energy ratings you need to follow.
How Do I Choose a Good Skylight?
Since skylights are installed on the roof, choosing high-quality and durable skylights is crucial. Opt for skylights made from laminated glass panes (the same material used in car windshields) to ensure that when the skylight breaks, it will hold together.
How Do I Pick a Skylight Size?
In general, the size of the skylight must be 3-5% of the room’s floor area, but a bigger skylight might be needed for rooms in the house with few or no windows at all. For instance, a room with a size of 4m by 3m would need a skylight that is about 800 by 600mm.
What to Consider When Buying a Skylight?
Material is one of the biggest things you need to consider when buying a skylight. No matter how much your budget range is, avoid cheap skylights with plastic glazing as they are low quality and most of them leak. Though you save money upfront, they will likely cause critical problems for your roof in the long run.
5 Tips for Choosing a Skylight
Since a skylight is an enormous investment, it’s crucial to ensure that you choose one that suits your home’s layout perfectly. Before buying a skylight, consider:
- Compatibility with your roof: Since a skylight is installed on the roof, the first thing that you need to consider is what skylight options are available, depending on the type of roof. Choose a skylight that is compatible with both metal and tiled roofs and can be installed even on low pitched roofs.
- Material of the skylight: Skylights are either made from plastic or glass panes. Glass panes cost more but are highly durable and don’t scratch easily, allowing them to last for a very long time.
- Fixed or operable skylights: Your choice between the two comes down to which part of your home you wish to install skylights. Operable skylights are perfect in the kitchen and bathrooms as they help get rid of foul odours and bring in the fresh air.
- Height of your ceiling: If you have a high ceiling, fixed skylights or electric skylights (which can be opened using a remote) are better choices.
- Installation process: Reconfiguring your roof to install a skylight is a serious project. Choose a skylight that can be easily installed. Depending on the type of roof you have, skylights can be installed by anyone with basic carpentry skills.
What Types of Skylights are Available in Australia?
There are two prominent variations of skylight in Australia – fixed skylights and operable skylights. These square skylights are the most popular models as they are flexible and will fit any interior home design.
Square skylights are available in various sizes, which means no matter how big or small a room is, fitting the skylight won’t be a problem. Skylights made from glass are the more popular choice because of their durability and less possibility of leaks. If you have a low pitched roof, frameless skylights are the way to go as they stop water from pooling on the bottom edges.
The Best Skylights for Melbourne
Although there is a wide variety and many options for skylights in Melbourne, the ideal type of skylight is one that will supply the right amount of natural light to illuminate your home without giving off uncomfortable sun glare and solar heat gain.
Ventilated skylights are perfect for getting rid of the hot air that pools on the ceiling while also providing fresh air. Installing skylight blinds will also help control the intense heat of the sun. Fixed skylights are best for the living room or hallway, where they can provide an abundant amount of natural light and serve as an accent piece to tie the whole area up.
How to Calculate the Cost of Installing a Skylight
The cost of a skylight depends on several factors, including:
- The type of skylight: Ventilating skylights are more expensive than fixed skylights, but they offer the added benefit of improving the ventilation in your home, which in turn lowers your AC/heater consumption.
- Labour: Skylight installation requires a good amount of prep work. If your roof needs structural reconfiguration, you will need to spend more on labour costs.
- The number of skylights: To save on cost, be strategic about where to install skylights. Choose areas in your home where you feel more natural light and ventilation are needed. To avoid spending more, installing skylights in one row is ideal to avert having to create multiple shafts.
- Shades & blinds: Similar to a traditional window, skylights bring in light and heat. Installing skylight blinds will help control the intense heat coming from the sun during hotter months without sacrificing their benefits.
Vivid Skylights Enjoys Great Skylight Reviews
In choosing skylights, it’s helpful to read skylight reviews from satisfied customers to ensure that you’re making the right decision. See what our clients are saying about the quality of Vivid Skylights products and decide for yourself. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us.
Skylight Installation
If skylight installation is the one thing that’s holding you back from investing in skylights, you don’t need to worry when you purchase Vivid Skylights. We carry premium quality skylights that can be installed in most residential homes. Our skylights also come with an easy-to-follow installation guide for your convenience.
Vivid Skylights are compatible with both pitched tiled and corrugated iron roofs, with an easy to install flashing kit included for roof installations between 15-60 degrees. All our products come with a 5-year warranty period.