Skylights are an excellent source of natural light; they brighten up dark rooms and increase the feel of internal space. Even under overcast conditions the use of skylights can ensure spaces are predominantly lit by natural light, with little or no supplementary artificial lighting required. They allow additional flexibility in architectural design. Skylights are a good alternative when you are restricted by the size of windows that you can use, where there are privacy issues, or when you want to create a different architectural outlook. The right size skylight admits just enough light for the job and no more.
Skylights can make a major contribution to energy efficiency and comfort and can be installed in both existing and new homes.
The ideal skylight, according to the “Australian Government’s Your Home design guide”, allows the right amount of light to penetrate and illuminate a space without facilitating uncomfortable amounts of solar heat gain and glare.
The cost and complexity of installing a skylight is an investment so it is important to educate yourself on the structural conditions you need to meet and the design decisions you need to make to get a skylight that works for your home.
Because skylights are installed on roofs, they are subjected to the forces of nature. A skylight must be professionally installed and thoroughly sealed against rain. The quality of proper installation is an assurance the skylight seal won’t leak or deteriorate over time.
Where do you want to install your skylight? And how many do you choose? Placement can determine the size of skylight you require and if you require more than one skylight in the room, to really brighten or balance the space.
Every home is unique and has their own requirements for adequate lighting. Consulting your skylight professionals for a quote will always be your best bet for professional advice
While there fells to be endless types of skylights options in the Australia market, they can be grouped into three categories: roof windows, original skylights and tubular skylights.
The rule of thumb for spacing of skylights is two to five per cent floor to skylight area ratio and one to two per cent for high performing tubular skylights. The distance between skylights, is recommended one and a half times the height between the roof and the floor.
