Do you have a space within your home that feels dark and uninviting? Installing a skylight is one of the most effective solutions to brighten up the area. Whether it’s a compact bathroom, a narrow hallway, a kitchen dining area or living area, a skylight can transform a dim or dark area into a bright and inviting space. Not only do skylights enhance natural light, but they can also improve ventilation and create the illusion of a larger area.
Small rooms often lack adequate lighting, making them feel dark and confined. What differences do skylights make?
First, they allow natural sunlight to enter directly from above, increasing the amount of light in the room creating a warm, welcoming ambiance.
A well-placed skylight can also draw the eye upward, making a small room feel taller and more open, cleverly giving the illusion of more space.
By harnessing natural light, skylights can also reduce reliance on artificial lighting, helping you to create a more energy efficient home, resulting in lower electricity bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
Many skylights can also provide fresh air circulation, this ventilation is particularly beneficial in bathrooms, kitchens, and even laundries.
Choosing the Right Skylight for a Small Space
There are many different styles, types and brands of skylights and they all have different features and benefits – selecting the right one for your space is vital. Here’s a few things to think about:
Fixed Vs Ventilated Skylights – Fixed skylights provide ample light without opening, making them ideal for rooms where ventilation isn’t a concern. Ventilated (or openable) skylights, on the other hand, allow airflow and are perfect for humid spaces which require additional ventilation.
Tubular Skylights – If your ceiling space is limited, consider a tubular or Sky Tunnel skylight. These smaller, compact skylights are a great space-saving option that deliver plenty of natural light without requiring a large ceiling cutout. Using highly reflective tubes to channel light from the roof into your home, they are perfect for multiple areas including hallways, kitchen, dining, bathrooms and other areas.
Glazing Options – Consider energy-efficient glazing with UV protection to minimise heat gain and reduce glare.
Installation Considerations
Installing a skylight into any area of the home or building requires careful planning and should only be conducted by a well-trained installer. Be sure to use a Skylight Industry Association of Australia certified skylight installer.
Skylight Orientation
Where ever possible position the skylight where it will capture the most daylight which is primarily north facing or with a northerly aspect. (e.g NW or NE)
North-facing skylights provide the most stable and consistent light, but you may need to consider reducing glare and heat impact while maximising brightness. A west-facing skylight will primarily capture the intense afternoon sun, which will also provide glare and increased heat into the area, especially in summer. The use of blinds, double glazing and other options may need to be considered for these installations.
Easterly installations will primarily pick up the morning sunlight and southerly facing installations will likely not pick up any direct sunlight and provide a softer less bright and intense natural lighting outcome likely requiring the use of 98% reflective rigid tube for tubular skylight installations.
Roof Structure
Check your roof’s framing to determine whether you have trusses or rafters and whether it is timber or metal. Most roof window skylight and some tubular skylight installations will require roof and ceiling modifications to be made which will need reinforcements to be made in order to accommodate a skylight. Also consider the pitch of your roof – Skylights work best on sloped roofs and some roof window skylights must be installed onto a minimum 15degree roof pitch. Flat roof skylight options are available when required.
Weatherproofing
Proper installation and weather sealing is essential to prevent leaks so make sure your skylight is installed with a high-quality flashing and waterproofed correctly by the installer. A skylight designed with pressed raised centres, built-in drainage channels or foam inserts on the flashing will direct water away from the opening and down the roof.
The Installation Process
First, it’s essential to choose the right location for your skylight. This should be an area that benefits from sunlight while considering structural elements like rafters, hanger beams, structural beams and joists as well as any services within the roof space. (Plumbing, electrical, A/C) After deciding on the best placement, the area will need to be accurately measured and marked for cutting.
The roof will be prepared by the removal any roof tiles or roofing material in the marked area. This is followed by cutting an opening in the roof according to the measurements. It’s essential at this stage to ensure that the skylight frame has proper support.
Once the opening is ready, flashing is attached around it to prevent water leaks. The skylight can then be positioned into place and secured. After securing it, roofing materials must be reinstated around the edges of the skylight and any gaps will need sealing.
Finally, the finish of the interior ceiling will integrate the skylight seamlessly into your home or building.
For optimal aesthetics, performance, energy efficiency and reliability it is always best to engage suitably trained and certified professionals to install your skylights.
Investing in skylights is a simple yet impactful way to enhance natural light, improve ventilation, and create an airy, open feel in otherwise small and dark spaces. Whether you opt for a traditional skylight, a tubular design or a roof window skylight, the transformation will be well worth the investment!
Would you like more information about skylights for homes? Consult with the experts at CALIDAD Industries today. Our experienced team will help you explore your options and bring the beauty of natural light into your home today. Since 1988 we have been supplying eco-friendly skylights, whirlybirds and roof ventilation systems to homes and businesses in Perth and throughout WA. Contact us online now or call 08 9302 6622 to speak with our friendly staff.
