Look up! ….. Skylights
Skylights have improved immensely over the years and there are many types to choose from. The most common and least expensive is the 2‘x4’ acrylic dome or sun tunnel (basically a metal duct pipe to the roof with a glass cap). There are also flat panel (single slope) skylights that follow the slope of your roof, or you can add a custom architectural shaped skylight in your home as a feature.
Velux, the largest fabricator of skylights worldwide is the industry leader in design and sales. You don’t want your skylight to leak so you’ll need a well-engineered one! You can find Velux products at many local distributors including Lowes, Home Depot, AFI, and Architectural Systems Inc. (ASI). (ASI) is the commercial sales division for all structure glass units in Southern California. We use Nick Strum of ASI for all our skylight questions and supplies.
There are some surprising perks associated with skylights that you may not have considered. Skylights can capture 30% more daylight than traditional windows and add brightness throughout the entire day. Natural light has been linked to many health benefits including enhancing your mood (can help those with seasonal depression) and creativity, as well as regulating blood pressure, and the body’s circadian rhythm. Outdoor skylights on a covered patio are great too. You can keep your patio furniture clean and protected under a roof while still getting plenty of sunlight.
As shown in the before/after photos in this article, adding a skylight can transform a room so much that the room may appear larger than its actual square footage.
Energy Efficiency and a 26% Federal Tax Credit
Skylights can be a great energy saver by reducing the need for electricity during the day. They can be ordered with blinds to help keep out heat of the day or the cold of the night. Openable skylights can also help vent the hot air out of your home and allow for increased airflow without sacrificing privacy.
Not only can you reduce your overall energy costs with the climate control effects of skylights, but there is also a 26% tax credit available (for both product and installation) for solar-powered skylights. 2022 is the last year this credit will be available.
Quick and Easy Options for Your Home
The Velux Sun Tunnel® is an easy and cost-effective way to bring light into spaces that can’t accommodate a standard window or skylight. Installation typically takes only about two hours. The Sun Tunnel can be used in any room and is ideal for hallways, closets, powder rooms, laundry rooms, and pantries. You can also add a solar-powered nightlight that will light up hallways for a soft glow.
VELUX No Leak Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights are a great option to help generate airflow in kitchens and bathrooms (ideal for venting odors and for releasing excess moisture in the air that can lead to mold and mildew). These skylights are solar-powered and do not require wiring and come with an integrated rain sensor that will automatically close the skylight when it senses weather changes. It can also be connected to an online weather station to open and close the blinds to regulate the room temperature.
If you already have Skylights… think about Shades
Whether you like to sleep under the stars or feel like sleeping in, integrated blinds from Velux can block or dim incoming light for a better night’s sleep. Room-darkening blinds offer complete darkness (can improve energy performance by 45%) while light filtering blinds can gently diffuse incoming light (best for kitchens and living rooms). Velux also offers stylish Venetian blinds which are efficient in controlling light while maintaining the aesthetic of your home.
Tips from Nick
According to Nick, California is the largest skylight market in the country because of the good weather and blue skies. Be careful when you are purchasing skylights – a custom skylight by a mom-and-pop shop may not have the quality engineering and final design you need to avoid water damage and potential condensation issues. Skylights need to be properly flashed and designed to drain efficiently to prevent leaks. As far as maintenance, depending on location (i.e., near ocean salt or desert sand) you’ll most likely need to clean your skylights a couple of times a year (although they do tend to self-clean with light rain).
For help with skylight solutions for your home, use the visualizer app on Velux’s website. Velux skylights come with a 10-year no-leak warranty for peace of mind. Thanks to Nick for allowing me to interview him for this article. If you have questions, Nick’s direct number is 760-271-7940.
Trudi
