Are you looking for an affordable, effective, and sustainable way to increase the natural light in your home? Do you have a dark hallway that could benefit from some additional lighting? While it’s true that you can always install more artificial lighting in the space, this doesn’t compare to the splendor of natural lighting.
It’s for this reason that many locals are investing in Velux skylight installation in their homes and workspaces. During your planning phase, it’s essential to keep in mind that skylights vary in shape, size, and design. This makes it quick and easy to find a skylight solution that fits your design style, lighting, and ventilation needs.
Pointers to Use When You’re Looking for Skylights
Finding the perfect skylights for your home is all about establishing what you hope to achieve by installing them and finding a style that suits your home’s décor. Opting for professional installation will help this process along because you’ll have an expert to guide you and recommend specific products to achieve your end goal. Keep reading as we share a few easy tips to help you choose the best skylight for your home.
1. Establish Your Skylight Goals
Tip number one is all about taking five minutes out of your shopping plans to establish what it is that you want to achieve with installing the skylights. Do you want more natural light in the space, or do you want to increase ventilation as well?
Knowing what you want your skylights to do will instantly shorten the list of potential options to consider. You also won’t be wasting your time looking at skylight products that you won’t be interested in.
When shortlisting potential options, be sure to review options that can store light, as these will go a long way toward lighting up the space at night. During this first step, you’ll also want to decide on the number of skylights you need and in which rooms you’ll want to install them. Knowing this in advance means you can look out for package deals that may be easier on your budget. Discuss these goals with your professional installer.
2. Speak to Your Installer About Various Available Options
When you have an idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to speak to your installer about the various types on offer. You may be surprised to find that your space can benefit from different skylight solutions.
Here are a few of the more commonly used skylight solutions around Australian homes:
- Fixed skylights: If you have a larger room that needs more light, then fixed skylights may be the best solution. These skylights can be easily opened to provide a spectacular view of the sky, making them ideal for workspaces.
- Vented skylights: These models are generally better suited to kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries as they boast a smaller design. They can also be opened to ventilate the room they’re in.
- Tubular skylights: Smaller spaces can also benefit from these narrow solutions. They are excellent at adding more natural light to the space.
3. Review Glazing and Framing Options
One of the aspects that makes skylights such an excellent option is that they are amazingly customisable. Not only can you choose from a variety of materials, but you can also select a design that will blend in or accentuate your current design style. In addition to this, you’ll also be able to choose features that will enhance the functionality of your skylight.
The most common add-on features to choose from involve glazing and framing options. Here’s what you need to know about these options:
- Glazing: Glass is the preferred choice for local homeowners and is available in a variety of thicknesses, sizes, and coating types. You will also be able to choose the level of insulation and UV protection that your home needs. Opting for specialised coatings ensures that your skylight solutions are safe from harsh weather elements such as hail.
- Framing: For the frame of your skylight, aluminum and vinyl are the more common options. This is because they’re both durable and can be easily customised to fit different colours and styles to accentuate your home’s aesthetic and décor.
Choosing to customise your skylights not only adds aesthetic charm but also enhances the functionality they add to your space.
4. Review the Best Location for Your Skylights
The exact location of your skylights makes a considerable difference to how effective they are. With this in mind, your installer may recommend that you place the light in a south-facing direction. For Australian homes, this is the best location to absorb maximum warmth and light. Location will be essential in the winter months when the sun isn’t as bright.
Final Thoughts
Combine professional installation with our handy tips to make finding the perfect skylight solution quick and easy. Whether you want to add skylights for more natural light, ventilation, or even to make your home more sustainable, the good news is that there’s a skylight option out there for you. Installing one or even a few skylights is easier and more beneficial than you think!
