Whether it’s for style, or for lighting up a room, there are plenty of reasons to install a skylight (often used interchangeably as roof lights).
But choosing the right skylight for your property isn’t easy and can often feel overwhelming.
After all, it’s important for you to figure out which light is best for you and your home to achieve the perfect look and feel for your property or commercial setting.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know before choosing to install a skylight.
What is a Skylight?
A skylight is designed to maximise the amount of natural light entering a building. In fact, studies have found a skylight can emit more than 3 times the light of a same sized vertical window.
A skylight often consists of a glass or polycarbonate pane taking up part of, or the entire roof.
Skylights can be a real boost to any room they are put in, adding natural light whilst also lowering your carbon footprint and electricity bills. Another bonus of a skylight is that you can get more air circulating through a particularly stuffy room.
However, there are multiple things to consider before buying a skylight.
Roof Types
Firstly, does your property have a flat roof or a pitched roof?
A flat roof lends itself to more styles: Opening, fixed, walk-on, lantern style lights etc. On the other hand, a pitched roof is far more suited to Velux and Conservation style lights.
Types of Skylight Materials
The two most common materials which are best suited for a skylight are glass or polycarbonate.
Glass is the most popular choice due to its clean aesthetic and quality. Polycarbonate is the more cost-effective choice, and is mainly popular within commercial properties due to its price and durability/toughness.
In terms of the frame, you can pick metal, timber or PVC. Metal is popular amongst period properties, barn conversions and contemporary houses (the main metals being steel and aluminium).
Timber is common but getting onto the roof to maintain the timber can be tricky. However, timber-aluminium composites are a great choice as they can offer the look of wood inside but are lower maintenance outside.
PVC is a low-maintenance option; however, this will not provide the slim frames that metal is capable of or the natural look of wood.
Types Of Skylights
Time to breakdown the different types of skylight and how they can improve the look and feel of your property.
Pitched
Having windows in a pitched roof instantly transforms the space inside. Not only does it reduce the need for artificial lighting but brings a rare openness to your living space.
Pitched roof windows happen often with a loft conversion and when turning an existing loft space into a habitable room with a view.
How the environment looks is dependant on placement of the window and where the sun is facing.
Velux Style Conversion
This type of window opens on a pitched roof like a door. Perfect for loft conversions, open air showers and more. They’re really good for those summer months where you can create an open-air shower effect in your bathroom!
Flat
Flat skylights are a good way to add lots of extra daylight into a room. They are suited more to rooms with flat roofs above. Flat skylights are quite flexible in terms of shapes, sizes and specifications.
Fixed
A fixed skylight works like a basic roof window that typically won’t open. It is an attractive feature to have in the home to naturally get more light in a south-facing room, whilst being a hugely cost-effective option.
Opening
This type of skylight works like a basic window fitting – it props up open to allow more light into your room. A perfect step up from a fixed light if you want a similar effect. Also, it allows some fresh air to circulate through the room.
Walk-On
A walk-on skylight is a larger pane of glass that usually doesn’t open. It’s sturdy enough to walk over from the top and is commonly used in commercial properties.
Lantern Style
This is a pitched and pointed rooflight in the style of a lantern. A stylish, modern option for those trying to get as much light into a room as possible.
Hopefully, this has helped you reach a decision on what skylight would suit your home best. If you’re looking for help with skylight installation in London, RoofPro can help. We’ll ensure the best service across the capital, so get in touch today for your free, no-obligation quote.