Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 3Aug 15, 2012 4:12 pm Ok so we have a ranch style plan with a big open plan kitchen/dining/living area (approx 7m x 10m) with a big 3m x 10m North facing alfresco that runs along the kitchen/dining/living area and I'm worried that it will be dark because of the alfresco shading all of the light. I was thinking about putting skylights in to add natural light. I know they are energy rated now so they don't let heat in or heat out but not sure if they were any good in terms of 'leaky ness' Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 4Aug 15, 2012 4:16 pm All skylights, even those intended for passive houses (Passivhaus standard) let in more heat/cold than proper insulation. As for leakyness, surely it depends of the design as well as what type of surface it's placed in/on. One good thing about skylights if done properly is that they can create a sort of chimney effect even if no wind is moving because hot air rises and therefore pulls air in from lower down. Have you thought about (openable) light tunnels? Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 6Sep 04, 2012 11:42 am skylights is a very efficient day lighting for your home. In times like this when energy efficiency is not just a trend but a must, skylights is a perfect choice to lighten up dark areas in your houses without the use of electricity. If you want your room not to acquire heat, buy double glazed tubular skylights, it has UV protection from harmful sunrays. If you worry about leaks, just contact certified skylight installer. Skylights also gives a comfy feeling in your house Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 9Sep 04, 2012 1:26 pm We're having some put in as a design feature, and to solve a problem of a lack of northern facing windows. If you have a look at my build thread (Ray's Adelaide Build) I have put a picture in there of what they will look like. My building thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=56583&start=120 Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 10Sep 04, 2012 1:27 pm sgeco skylights are not that efficient for outdoor lighting since light is already there but I've seen resorts having skylights for design purposes and the place look really great I asked because I was considering it for our place; the alfresco runs the entire length of one side of the house, hence all windows on that side open to the alfresco so I was thinking of skylights out there to allow light into the house. It sounds like the OP has a very similar situation. Any extra heat the skylights let-in would therefore stay outside the windows, and when they eventually start leaking it's got to be easier to fix when there's less interior damage to worry about? ie. the skylights in the alfresco wouldn't be for lighting the alfresco itself. Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 11Sep 04, 2012 4:21 pm My parents have installed 3 skylights in their circa 1970's brick dwelling with colourbond roof. All have been in for more than a decade and none have leaked so I personally wouldn't have any concerns there (especially if you make sure the skylights are installed by someone properly qualified). I think they provide a lovely muted light and have really improved the rooms they are in (all south facing). With respect to letting in/out heat/cold I must say my parents' home is one of the best I have been in for staying warm in winter and cool in summer; I think it is probably as a result of the original solid design of the structure but I certainly would not say the skylights have changed the "climate" in the home. For all of those reasons I'm seriously considering getting a skylight installed in my walk in robe (which is in the centre of the house with no windows). Hope that helps Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 12Sep 04, 2012 5:07 pm I like the new skylights that have a remote controlled blind you can close, and also you can open the skylight like a window with the remote to let air in. Wouldn't say no to one of those! The road to success is always under construction House completed April 2011 - slowly making it a home... Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 13Sep 07, 2012 6:02 pm Forg sgeco skylights are not that efficient for outdoor lighting since light is already there but I've seen resorts having skylights for design purposes and the place look really great I asked because I was considering it for our place; the alfresco runs the entire length of one side of the house, hence all windows on that side open to the alfresco so I was thinking of skylights out there to allow light into the house. It sounds like the OP has a very similar situation. Any extra heat the skylights let-in would therefore stay outside the windows, and when they eventually start leaking it's got to be easier to fix when there's less interior damage to worry about? ie. the skylights in the alfresco wouldn't be for lighting the alfresco itself. it will be great to install skylights there. extra heat produced by skylights depends on what kind of skylights you will buy, there's a tilt window, fixed, escape window and tubular skylights. If you have attic above, tubular skylights is the best. Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 14Sep 24, 2012 5:07 pm Does anyone know the cost of getting a skylight put in when building a house? Settlement: 10.02.13 Slab: 06.03.13 Frame: 08.03.13 Lock-up: 05.04.13 Handover: 03.06.13 Build thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59555 Brisbane Photography Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 15Sep 24, 2012 5:13 pm MalinViktoria Does anyone know the cost of getting a skylight put in when building a house? Ours was about $1000 for a velux 900x550, fully installed by builder, my builder adds o markup on this, we paid trade price through them Re: Skylights.... Yay or Nay?? 16Sep 24, 2012 6:38 pm if i could i would go back and put skylights in my study and pantry. these are the only 2 rooms in the house with no natural light access and its a shame. |