Skylights - How to Choose the Right Model
Skylights literally bring the great outdoors into your room.
They can instantly turn a dingy, drab room into a stylistically elegant place that can do you proud.
By adding the right model of skylight in the right room and at the right angle, you can add color, light and space to your room.
Other than their aesthetic appeal, skylights have a far greater impact on the environment within the room.
It can light up areas where there is a dearth of light.
It also allows passive heating and cooling and thus improves energy efficiency.
But, to achieve all this, it is important to consider the type, size and model based on where you live, what room you want to install it in and what your budget is.
Before you choose a particular model of skylight, ask yourself these questions: - What type of skylight is best for the room? - What size should you install? (Bigger is not better, in this case) - Which direction and what slope? - Is an Energy Star qualified model best? - Is a hurricane proof model required? There are three main categories of skylights to consider: fixed, ventilating and tubular.
A fixed skylight does not move and its only purpose is to allow light in.
You may have flat, dome, round, polygon and pyramid styles in this category.
An operable or ventilating skylight can be controlled and may come with temperature control facilities.
Only flat and dome styles are available.
A tubular model of skylight is the best choice for narrow spaces, like a bathroom or a hallway.
These may resemble light fixtures as they reflect light off a highly reflective surface.
The energy efficiency of your model of skylight depends on the direction in which it is placed.
The orientation decides how much heat and light enters a room.
For instance, skylights turned to the East give maximum morning sunlight while those that face the West let in the afternoon sun.
However, it is possible to control heat and light penetration through the use of low-emission coatings and tints.
These absorb UV rays and block the harsh rays of the sunlight.
Thus they act as a first line of defense between the sun and your carpet or furniture.
The latest models of skylights are available with a number of useful accessories.
For instance, motorized units make it easy to eliminate the problem of having to manually operate skylights.
Similarly, moisture sensors and flashing kits ensure moisture control and proper drainage.
These features also keep the inside of the room safe from moisture.
Remember to consider all these factors when you are ready to purchase a skylight model for your home.
They can instantly turn a dingy, drab room into a stylistically elegant place that can do you proud.
By adding the right model of skylight in the right room and at the right angle, you can add color, light and space to your room.
Other than their aesthetic appeal, skylights have a far greater impact on the environment within the room.
It can light up areas where there is a dearth of light.
It also allows passive heating and cooling and thus improves energy efficiency.
But, to achieve all this, it is important to consider the type, size and model based on where you live, what room you want to install it in and what your budget is.
Before you choose a particular model of skylight, ask yourself these questions: - What type of skylight is best for the room? - What size should you install? (Bigger is not better, in this case) - Which direction and what slope? - Is an Energy Star qualified model best? - Is a hurricane proof model required? There are three main categories of skylights to consider: fixed, ventilating and tubular.
A fixed skylight does not move and its only purpose is to allow light in.
You may have flat, dome, round, polygon and pyramid styles in this category.
An operable or ventilating skylight can be controlled and may come with temperature control facilities.
Only flat and dome styles are available.
A tubular model of skylight is the best choice for narrow spaces, like a bathroom or a hallway.
These may resemble light fixtures as they reflect light off a highly reflective surface.
The energy efficiency of your model of skylight depends on the direction in which it is placed.
The orientation decides how much heat and light enters a room.
For instance, skylights turned to the East give maximum morning sunlight while those that face the West let in the afternoon sun.
However, it is possible to control heat and light penetration through the use of low-emission coatings and tints.
These absorb UV rays and block the harsh rays of the sunlight.
Thus they act as a first line of defense between the sun and your carpet or furniture.
The latest models of skylights are available with a number of useful accessories.
For instance, motorized units make it easy to eliminate the problem of having to manually operate skylights.
Similarly, moisture sensors and flashing kits ensure moisture control and proper drainage.
These features also keep the inside of the room safe from moisture.
Remember to consider all these factors when you are ready to purchase a skylight model for your home.
