Skylights

People are drawn to areas with natural light. There is something special about natural light from above, bringing the sky indoors. Skylights can make a dark room bright, provide ventilation and add architectural appeal.

Skylights as Lighting
A skylight can be a problem solver, bringing natural
light where it would be difficult or impossible to add
a window. Here are some examples:

• Inside wall area of a duplex (semi-detached) or a home on a zero lot line.
• Natural illumination of a stairway.
• Natural lighting where privacy is required such as a bathroom.
• Small lots where windows would be looking directly onto a neighbors home.
• Where an attic has been renovated into a  living area. Some skylights are manufactured to satisfy attic egress requirements of building codes.

Skylights as Ventilation
Skylights can be of fixed design or openable. The openable type can provide natural ventilation. There are also fixed skylights that have a venting option. In these, there is a vent flap that can be opened. Openable skylights are either manual or automatic.

Light Shaft
Skylights on cathedral ceilings bring light directly through the roof plane into the living area. Skylights on homes with an attic are a little more complicated. You have to punch a hole through a large attic area. The hole through the attic area is called a light shaft.

Heat
One of the most important things to consider for warm climates is that skylights will add considerably to the heat gain and thus the air conditioning load. In hot climates, care should be given to the orientation of the skylight.

Installation
When a roof leaks, it leaks at roof penetration. It does not leak in the middle of a field of shingles or tiles. A skylight is a big roof penetration. As such a skylight has the potential to leak. The difference between a skylight that leaks and one that does not is a good installer.