Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 22, 2010 2:42 pm I am thinking our entryway is going to be too dark with the only light coming in through the front door sidelights and skinny glass panels through front door. Only other light is through the kids play window.... please have a look at attached plan...... It might be too late for us to add a skylight anyway (frames already up....) but would still like to see peoples skylights and get opinions on whether we should look into it or not. Thanks Michelle Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32574 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 2Apr 22, 2010 3:12 pm You can put in a skylight at the end, without any problems. I have an internal bathroom (no natural lighting). I waited until the house was built and lights installed before deciding to install a skylight. Blog is now up - http://www.jbdave.blogspot.com/ Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 3Apr 22, 2010 4:06 pm jbdave You can put in a skylight at the end, without any problems. I have an internal bathroom (no natural lighting). I waited until the house was built and lights installed before deciding to install a skylight. jbdave- does it cost any more to do afterwards?? How much did it cost to do yours? Do you have pics? Thanks Michelle Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32574 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 4Apr 22, 2010 4:22 pm No difference in cost. They can only be installed later anyway as the plasterboard ceiling has to be cut out to fit the skylight in. I think mine was around the $500 mark. THe only problem you'll have is the positioning of the skylight. It has to be between your trusses, and avoid lights, etc. While the frame is up , take a look at where it may be positioned. Blog is now up - http://www.jbdave.blogspot.com/ Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 5Apr 22, 2010 4:34 pm Given builder's margins its probably cheaper to put in afterwards. We have similar issues - one other option would be to get a door which has a lot of glass in it to let more light in: http://www.humedoors.com.au/products/entrance_doors/illusion_range/ Its what we've done and I think works well for us (we're at lockup stage). We'll eventually have a front fence so privacy isn't so much of a concern. Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 6Apr 22, 2010 5:21 pm jbdave No difference in cost. They can only be installed later anyway as the plasterboard ceiling has to be cut out to fit the skylight in. I think mine was around the $500 mark. THe only problem you'll have is the positioning of the skylight. It has to be between your trusses, and avoid lights, etc. While the frame is up , take a look at where it may be positioned. Hi jbdave - your skylight beats the $697 quoted by our builder - we wanted two so we will have them done after handover Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 7Apr 22, 2010 5:49 pm Bagheera, I suggest you get them done after handover as well. My parents have quite a dark circa 1970 home and they have added in three skylights (one in the main bathroom, one in the kitchen and one in the walk in pantry). The one in the pantry was a kit they bought from one of the big hardware stores which they simply got a home handyman to put in - it would have cost maybe $400 altogether. The other two are larger but again didn't cost much and wer easy enough to get someone to install. Just make sure that whoever installs them seals around the roof properly so there are no leaks! Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 8Apr 22, 2010 6:22 pm believe me we intend to have them installed after h/over - $1400 for 2 plain skylights is ridiculous... Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 9Apr 22, 2010 6:34 pm We have a 50cm round one in the bathroom as there is no window, it cost $500. And a bigger rectangle one in the kitchen as it got quite dark after the sunroom was built, that one was $600. What city are you in? if it's melbourne then PM me and I'll give you the details of the guy I used. He did one in our last house too, they are awesome and let in heaps of natural light. Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 10Apr 22, 2010 8:42 pm Get out your tissues everyone, $900 here for the builder to install - a sizable rectangle though, but nonetheless... Anyway shelb, you'll never regret putting one in. I've got a small house, so to me it was important the builder do it - positioning of the trusses, lights etc - am thinking about putting one in the walk-in robe (which is not near the bedroom) as well post hand-over (not so fussed about that one since the entry is more critical I think) - so I'll be PM'ing you Hels for your contacts details... Building with the Big M, Sandarra Settlement July 16 Site Scrape Sep 22 Slab Oct 12 Framing commenced Oct 13 Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=39517 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 11Apr 22, 2010 8:48 pm Looks like I will be doing it post handover if needed then..... I just thought it would be easier done now than cutting through the colourbond roof. Anyone have pics? Are they ugly or do they look ok (being in the entry I want it to look ok and not catch dead flys! Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32574 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 12Apr 22, 2010 9:43 pm We had 2 sky light installed in our old house, an established house, aprox $500 each and they make a huge difference to rooms which dont get much natural light. However, looking at your entry, I would of thought the 2 side lights would bring it enough light - where you might be darkish is in the hallway where it angles after the entry as that wont get natural light around the bend - no different to other internal hallways though, such as our back hallway and the one between your minor bedrooms. Nice to have natural light in the actual entry but I dont think it matters that much in 'ordinary' hallways - you never do anything other than walk them and there will be enough light for that. Where I would put one in your house, and many similar houses, is in the kitchen - your kitchen has no direct natural light and I think a skylight would be better than needing lights on during the day. Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 13Apr 22, 2010 10:01 pm Bathroom; http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Hels-b/Post%20Construction/14Sept9.jpg Kitchen; http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Hels-b/Post%20Construction/IMGP1029.jpg Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 14Apr 23, 2010 12:05 am Hels - when I was asking my builder about skylights I asked them to quote on the rectangular one to keep in line with the contemporary look of the house and they told me that the round ones do spread the light much better. Can you tell me if you noticed a difference in the way they diffuse the light? Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Anyone have a skylight??? 15Apr 23, 2010 10:51 am Bagheera Hels - when I was asking my builder about skylights I asked them to quote on the rectangular one to keep in line with the contemporary look of the house and they told me that the round ones do spread the light much better. Can you tell me if you noticed a difference in the way they diffuse the light? I don't think they disperse the light any differently, it really is a case of the bigger... the better Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." It might be a bit darker in the mornings but the light is still light, so you should be getting it. Similar to what you see from your western windows 3 19971 6 11528 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 39469 |