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by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers®
There’s not a homeowner around who doesn’t want to reap the benefits of natural light. Free and uplifting, it’s the cure to a dark and dreary interior, but some think their homes aren’t designed to utilize it. Well, there are lots of ways that skylights adapt—check out these skylights that work for whatever you have!
The Standard Slope
Pitched roofs with vaulted ceilings underneath to match are ideal for installing skylights. Homes with this feature typically have two-story volume that could really use the natural light, and sloped roofs offer the chance to maximize the sun depending on the orientation of the floor plan. The majority of skylights are also made for sloped conditions because they’ve offered the best drainage—and the least risk of leaking—over the decades they’ve been popular for homes, and that means you have plenty of options! Whether fixed or operational through manual, electric, or solar-powered means, you won’t be lost for lack of products to fit your needs.
If you have a pitched roof but flat ceilings, don’t despair! You can still install the skylight on the roof like normal, and then create a lightwell to channel the sunlight down inside. Whether the distance is short or long, the breadth of skylights invites so much more brightness into the interior than light fixtures can. If this interests you, talk to a contractor to see what’s possible with your home!
Flat Roofs
With so many contemporary home designs outfitted with flat and low-pitch roofs these days, skylights for flat roofs have really upped their game. This architecture is made to be bright and bring natural beauty indoors, so don’t just rely on windows—find the skylights that work for your situation. They’ll help you save on lighting costs and improve home energy efficiency, too.
Be sure to shop for skylights specifically made for flat roofs, as they are designed differently to withstand their special challenges. Some products will work for pitches from 0 to 60 degrees while others are limited to the 0 to 15 degree range. They can be flat panes like regular skylights, but with beveled edges to assist with drainage. They can also be curved, which not only helps shunt water faster, but also captures more light to shine inside. In whatever case, flat roof skylights are installed with a curb mount and plenty of flashing to raise the glass above the deck level of the roof and ensure the whole opening is weatherproof. Today’s products are much more reliable than their predecessors, so don’t be afraid to try them, whatever your roof’s pitch.
Tight Spaces
Perhaps you don’t need or can’t fit a full-size skylight in some areas? That’s what Sun Tunnels are for! They’re relatively small at 10” to 14” in diameter, and they can mimic recessed lighting in hallways and closets as well as in larger spaces, if you so desire.
Sun Tunnels take sunlight from the roof and channel it through a reflective aluminum tunnel to carry it where you want it. They’re very adaptable because they can collect light with pitched or low-profile domes, extremely low-profile flat glass apertures, and even curb mount domes for flat roofs. Rigid and flexible tube options allow you to cut a straight line through or work around obstacles in the attic space. And as for the interior, you have your choice of diffusers to tailor the light to your liking.
Slanted Walls
Sometimes the wall is a ceiling, too! When you have a slanted wall—such as in A-frame houses and renovated attic and bonus spaces—you need to think beyond light alone. Adding roof windows to these spaces is less expensive than traditional dormer windows, and roof windows provide more light than dormers. They are sort of like skylights, but they are made to be within reach and offer the option for egress that many codes require. Regular windows aren’t made to be installed at an angle, so look into this special category if you need to outfit a space with tricky slanted walls.
Whatever roof pitch you have, VELUX® has products that’ll work for your home! They offer a wide selection of skylights, Sun Tunnels, and roof windows, and they’re designed to tackle challenges presented in all sorts of architectural styles, and in both new construction and retrofit jobs. To discuss the possibilities, find a local installer who can guide you in the right direction!