34 | APRIL 2017
Outdoor Living
HOW
SKYLIGHTS
BENEFIT
HOMES
Skylights are one of the most popular window
styles to add to new and existing homes in
the UK alone. While skylights are aesthetically
pleasing, provide stunning views and add
extra value to a home, they can also help
homeowners save energy and save money.
When installed correctly,
skylights play a huge part in
providing homes with natural
light, increasing heat circulation
and help with ventilation and air
circulation – all of which can help
reduce artificial light and tempera-
ture control costs.
Tom Hewkin, produce develop-
ment engineer at Roofmaker, a UK
leading provider of skylights, is
here to explain some of the bene-
fits and what factors to consider:
Which skylight is right
for the customer?
Skylights can be a financially
beneficial and an eco-friendly
addition to a home. However,
before making the decision to
install skylights, it’s important to
look at which type is right for a
home. While most homeowners
will install skylights to help with
natural light and ventilation, it’s
important to consider energy
ratings and where the customer
positions them. Homeowners will
also be looking at the type of glaz-
ing available, the shape of their
skylight and, of course, who will
be installing them.
All these factors may be unique
to a home but they are vitally im-
portant for ensuring skylights are
as energy efficient as possible.
Skylights provide
maximum natural light
Skylights are a hugely effective
way to bring more natural light
into a home. In fact, skylights
provide up to three times more
natural light than standard win-
dows. An increase in natural light
will mean there is less need for
artificial lighting, especially during
the summer months, saving money
on electric bills.
Householders will be keen to
make the most of their energy-sav-
ing potential by getting the sizing
and positioning of their skylight
right. For example, if they position
their skylight on a north facing
roof, they will get pretty consist-
ent light. East facing roofs will get
maximum light in the morning and
skylights on the west will provide
more light in the afternoon.
Size also determines the illumi-
nation level of the skylight, so it’s
important to consider a skylight
that’s appropriately sized to a
room.
Skylights and
natural heating
When skylights are installed
correctly, their positioning and
reflective capabilities can provide
effective heating. Again, it’s a
question of position. If a customer
wants to make the most of natural
sunlight heating, then south-fac-
ing skylights provide the greatest
chance of passive solar heat gain.
This heat gain is especially useful
during the colder winter months
and can help reduce heating bills.
However, though solar heat gain
is useful in the winter, it may be
unwanted during the summer.
Customers can therefore install
skylights that use insulated glaz-
ing, heat absorbing tints and other
glazing technologies to reduce
solar heat gain. The latest skylight
technology also allows them to
install mirrored reflectors, adjacent
to the skylight, which still provide
the natural light without the un-
wanted heat.
Skylights and healthy
ventilation
Allowing natural air and ventila-
tion into a home could help save
money on air conditioning units –
fresh air flow is also healthier. Ven-
tilating skylights open outwardly
at the bottom and help release hot
air that naturally accumulates near
the ceiling. The small vent ensures
a limited amount of fresh air is
passed into the home providing
better air circulation. This is also
useful for preventing common
damp problems as well without
the need for using high-energy
dehumidifier units.
The positive effect
of skylights
Installing skylights can have a
hugely positive effect on a home.
However, it’s important for home-
owners to take the time to consid-
er what they want to achieve with
their skylights, and of course, to
have them professionally installed.
As well as the increase of natural
light and air circulation, skylights
can add value to a home and
help to cut energy bills consider-
ably. They can help take control
of what light and heat comes in
and out of a home and reduce the
need for electrical reliance.