Types Of Skylights & How To Choose The Right One

When a home has 40% of its wall space covered by windows, it can boost feelings of well-being significantly. While windows can be a great source of natural light, skylights can be very useful as well.

If you’re thinking about installing a skylight in your home, you need to understand what your options are. There are many types of skylights available. Each has pros and cons and each provides a distinct visual appearance. 

Below we’ll tell you about the 6 main types of skylights and how to choose the best one.

Types of Skylights

Skylights vary in shape, size, appearance, and functionality. Here are the best residential skylight options to consider.

1. Fixed Skylight

A fixed skylight is a popular skylight option that’s typically made with glass and a metal or wooden frame. 

Fixed skylights don’t open like a window or a ventilated skylight will. Although they can be useful for bringing more natural light into your home, they won’t provide ventilation.

2. Ventilated Skylight

Ventilated skylights are similar to fixed skylights, but can be opened and closed as needed. 

In addition to offering natural sunlight, they can also allow air to enter the home as well. This makes them a popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens where ventilation and airflow are needed.

Some ventilating skylights offer electric functionality so that you can open and close them with a remote control.

3. Curb-Mounted Skylight

Curb-mounted skylights are practical, affordable, and can be installed more easily than other types of skylights. 

These skylights will rest at the top of a framed opening in your home’s roof and don’t require too many changes to a building’s structure to be installed. However, it will be important to make sure that these skylights are made to be waterproof and offer great insulation.

4. Pyramid Skylight

Pyramid skylights are raised structures that can be added to flat roofs and contain four sides and multiple slopes.

These skylights can let quite a bit of sunlight into the home. They’re an attractive option that many homeowners love.

5. Dome-Shaped Skylight

As the name would suggest, a dome-shaped skylight will be in the shape of a dome and will allow plenty of natural light into the home. 

They can serve as a great focal point in a room and are a great choice for areas where you would like plenty of natural sunlight to get in. This could be in a room with a swimming pool or an entryway.

6. Tubular Skylight

A tubular skylight is another option to consider if you want to add more natural light to interior spaces. Tubular skylights are especially space-efficient and don’t require a large roof to install. 

These skylights will have a roof-mounted light collector and a tube that reflects light down into an interior fixture. This allows plenty of light to enter the home without a lot of room available.

How to Choose a Skylight

So how can you choose the right type of skylight for your home? Here are the things that you should consider when making your choice.

Consider the Functionality

First of all, you’ll want to think about the functionality and operability of the skylight. 

If you simply want more natural light inside your home, then a fixed skylight can be a good option. If you want to ensure that your home gets additional ventilation, on the other hand, then you may want to consider a ventilated skylight or another option that allows air to come inside the home. 

Additionally, if you choose a ventilated skylight, you’ll want to decide whether you want an electric or manual option. 

Understand Sizing and Placement

The placement of the skylight and the size of the space you have available will also play a part in the skylight option you choose. 

If you have very little room on your roof, you might need to install a tubular skylight or another type of skylight that will take up less space. If you have a larger room and want plenty of extra natural light to come in, then you may want to choose a larger skylight such as a pyramid skylight.

Choose a Glazing Material

You should also consider the skylight glazing material that’s used. 

Plastic and glass options are both available, but glass is the best option in many situations. Glass offers more clarity, doesn’t scratch easily, offers superior UV protection, and has a more elegant look. Plastic, on the other hand, is lightweight, budget-friendly, and affordable. 

Be sure to consider the pros and cons of each material when making your choice

Check the Costs of Installation

Finally, make sure that you consider the cost when making a skylight installation in your home.

There are a variety of different skylights available for different prices, so you’ll want to compare your options carefully to find one that’s right for your budget. However, you should also consider the cost of installation as well. 

It will be more difficult to install skylights on certain roofs, such as those that have too much slope or are too flat. In these cases, installation costs could be higher. 

In addition to the cost of installation and the skylight itself, also consider how an installation will affect your home’s insulation. If the skylight is poorly insulated, it could lead to higher utility bills. Keep this in mind if you want to make an installation that’s right for your home.

Choosing the Right Skylight for Your Home

As you can see, there are many different types of skylights available and each can be suitable for different purposes. When choosing a type to install, make sure that you carefully consider the cost, the size of your space, and the functionality.

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