How to choose a skylight?

Windows are an indispensable part of the architecture of our homes as they protect us from outside elements and also allow us to have a good view of the outside at the same time. During the daytime they let in a lot of natural sunlight and also provide warmth in the winter season helping lower heating costs. They help boost the Vitamin D and serotonin levels in our bodies and make people feel more energetic. When a window structure is physical moved upwards towards the ceiling, you get a resulting skylight. But it is much more that carving a hole in the celling and fitting glass on them, skylights come in a variety of shapes and sizes such as sky domes in Sydney, and can be made from many materials. They are built according to the structure of your house and their position depends on the amount of sunlight that a room is receiving. They help in making your house more energy efficient and comfortable as it can allow up to 3 times lighter in as compared to a vertical window and also distributes it more evenly in a room. Some people now prefer having less windows due to safety concerns and scarcity of land and now prefer skylights in their place. 

Skylights are constantly evolving and new types such as sky domes in Sydney and other areas are becoming more popular. When choosing a skylight, the first thing that needs to be taken into consideration is what you need it for, whether you want it to serve as lighting in a room or just for aesthetic appeal. You must also have an idea of where you want to position it keeping it mind that putting it in some areas may cause overexposure to ultraviolet rays. The size and shape of the room also determines the type of light you get but in general the larger the light the better. Broadly speaking, they are of two categories: fixed and vented. Fixed lights are not operable and are only for light purposes. Vented skylights can be opened as well to allow in air via a remote or manually but may be more expensive as it requires more parts. Nowadays, these lights require glazing and also have insulation options and coatings to prevent heat and UV radiation. You should also note that skylights Sydney prices are not that expensive but have a high cost of installation is especially for roofs that are too flat or too steep.  

They can be made of many different materials and are of different types: 

  1. Fixed skylights are very popular, they are sealed to the roof and can’t be opened for ventilation. It is commonly used for areas such as stairwells where there is less light and are made from glass while the frame can be made from steel or aluminum. 
  2. Ventilated ones serve a variety of purposes as they let in light and air and are ideal for kitchens or bathrooms as they allow you to get rid of moisture easily while letting in fresh air.  
  3. Tubular lights consist of a roof light collector that is placed on the roof and allows the collection of light through the day. There is a reflective tube through which the collected light travels to the interior fixture. The fixture can have an electric connection for rainy or cloudy days. This option is ideal for houses that have limited roof space. 
  4. Pyramid skylights are placed on the curbs of flat roofs and have a square opening with a pyramid shape on top. 
  5. Dome shaped lights are made of flexible yet strong plastic and is in the form of a dome that allows the sunlight to be spread evenly in a room. Sky domes in Sydney as well as other areas of Australia have thick and tainted outer layer for insulation and protection and a clear inner layer. They are an attractive option for entrances of buildings and hotel lobbies. 
  6. Barrel vault lights are an economical option for providing daylight as well as spaciousness in the interior of a building as here more than 80% of the roof is covered by a skylight. It is mostly used in commercial buildings and areas such as passageways and mall arcades. 

Posted on April 11, 2019 in Construction & Building

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