We all want our homes to be well-lit and airy, right!
And to achieve this radiant feel, we make sure to incorporate as many windows and doors in our home structures as possible. However, we have an extra bit for those who like going a little extra in everything – skylights!
Skylights are a practical and aesthetic addition for those who fancy extra light in their homes. These roof racks effectively turn the dark gloomy vibe into a radiant and glowy one. Skylights render a number of benefits. Let’s explore skylights in detail and understand everything we need to know before installing one.
What is a Skylight?
Skylight is a smart way of letting natural light in. Also known as roof light, a skylight is a light-transmitting structure that is usually installed in the roofs with the sole purpose of lighting up the interior space. The opening is somewhat out of the plane and has a glass or translucent material to let maximum light in.
Skylights let 30% more natural light in as compared to conventional wall windows. These structures illuminate the interior and effectively cut down the energy bills. Apart from these, skylights add a modernistic feel to the home exterior. All these benefits show that installing skylights is a tiebreaker.
Difference between Roof Light, Skylight, and Roof Windows
Skylights, roof lights, and roof windows are the alternate terms that describe the window in the roof. However, the question arises, do all three terms refer to the same structure or are there any differences? Before indulging in the specifics, let’s understand the difference between these terms.
Well, skylights and roof lights refer to essentially the same thing. You can understand the difference through the example of cookies and biscuits. Cookies and biscuits are somewhat similar, but people refer to them differently according to their preferences. So, you can call the window in the ceiling a roof light or a skylight (totally up to you!)
However, the roof window is a slightly different structure and you should not confuse this with the skylight. Unlike skylights, roof windows are installed in the same plane and orientation as the roof.
Apart from the differences, skylights and roof windows, both work wonders in improving the lighting in the interior space.
Types of Glass Used in Skylight Windows
Skylight windows pull all the stones out of the way of light. They can instantly light up space by letting the natural light in and set the mood. The main feature of a roof light is the glass. Glass is a best material to cover up the opening in the roof due to its durability and transparency. However, different types of glass serve different purpose in the roof lights to achieve different outcomes. Which one will choose your requirements? It all depends on your preferences. So here are some different types of glass that are ideal for skylight windows.
1. Clear Glass – A Low-Cost Pick
Clear glass or annealed glass is the standard glass that has not gone through the super-cooling or heating processes. It is relatively inexpensive and has high optical clarity. It allows the light to easily pass through it and gives a polished look to the space. Clear glass can be easily cut into different shapes to match your individual requirements.
If you are working on a limited budget project, clear glass can be the perfect choice for you. It is durable and visually pleasing. However, its strength value is questionable and it cannot work as a safety glass.
2. Tempered Glass – Super Solid Choice
Tempered Glass or toughened glass is famous in the market due to its high strength value. It has another name of safety glass due to its impact resistance. Tempered glass is manufactured through a comprehensive process. It is first heated to a very high temperature and then cooled followed by a compression process which makes it a very strong variant of glass. Due to its exceptional strength, it can serve as a great skylight glass. Tempered glass panels can withstand harsh weather conditions and stay intact for a long period of time. So it’s an ideal pick for skylight windows.
3. Laminated Glass – The Everlasting Kinda Option
Laminated glass is another safety glass that is manufactured by fusing two or more sheets of glass together with an interlayer of a plastic adhesive. Such glass type has a very long service life but using laminated glass in skylights can put some strain on your wallet.
4. Tint Glass – A Sight for the Sore Eyes
Colors are added to the glass sheets to get the tinted glass. It is an aesthetically pleasing variant of glass and works wonders in enhancing the overall look of the house. Tints are also added for purposes other than just visual appeal. Some colors are added to reduce the glare and filter out the UV rays as well. You can go for the tinted glass that suits your preferences.
5. Low Emissivity Glass – A Safe Preference
Low-E glass is a safe choice when it comes to skylights. Low-E glass is manufactured by coating a thin layer of heat-reflecting material on the glass. It is designed to filter out the harmful ultraviolet or infrared radiations of the sun without compromising on the useful natural light coming in. You can cherish the sunlight as much as you want without the fear of getting any harmful reactions.
Cost Estimation of Installing a Skylight
To proceed with a project successfully, you must consider its expenses and total cost. So, let’s see how much installing a skylight window would cost!
Roof lights come in a wide cost range depending on the roof light dimensions and the type of glass used in it. The prices change with the type of skylight glass used. For instance, clear glass skylights are the cheapest while tinted or laminated glass skylights are a high-end pick. However, including all the expenses, skylight installations can cost you a good 600$ to 2500$. You can choose the skylight particulars according to your project specifications and budget constraints.
Pros and Cons of Installing Skylights
Roof lights, sure look great. However, before reaching any conclusions, let’s see its merits and demerits first.
Pros
- Rooflight increase the flow of natural light inside the house.
- Increased light makes the interior space look wider and brighter.
- More natural light means reduced energy bills. You can save a good lot of energy by utilizing natural sources to their full potential.
- It improves home ventilation.
- Rooflights are an aesthetic addition to the home exterior and you can also enjoy the natural view through the skylights.
Cons
- Installing a skylight window is a great choice but not all fun and games. There are a few downs to the roof lights as well.
- Wrong positioning and improper installation and turn out to be a huge strain on your wallet. Moreover, it also disturbs the heat transfer and ventilation system of the house.
- Some skylights can cause glare.
- If not properly insulated, skylights can cause heat gain and heat loss issues.
- There might be moisture leak issues in the roof due to skylights.
Suggestions from our Side!
Glossing over the pros and cons of skylights, we can presume that roof lights do have some benefits that cannot be overlooked. You can bring an otherwise dreary space to good use by incorporating a skylight and make your home exterior look oh-so-chic.
Play smart with the choice of skylight glass as your pick here will determine the durability of the skylight. Safety glass is the best option to be used in skylights. Both laminated and tempered glass works well for roof lights, but tempered glass is better in terms of strength as well as cost value. Laminated glass is a bit expensive so tempered glass takes the lead here. To add some extra aesthetic appeal, you can go for tinted tempered glass. Just make sure to select a super-solid variant of glass to ensure longer service life.
