Improve Interior Lighting, Ventilation, and Your Health

The ancient Egyptians held many secrets, one of which was an ingenious method of bringing daylight deep into their kings’ dark burial chambers by using metal shields to reflect the sun’s rays. Throughout architectural history light has been used to great effect — particularly in sacred places to illuminate altars and stained glass. For the modern home, it was Frank Lloyd Wright who popularized incorporating natural light, he said, “The best way to light a home is God’s way.”

No one will argue that rooms filled with natural light are more beautiful and feel more spacious than those rooms that depend solely on artificial light. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of abundant daylight in our homes there are the health benefits that light brings. It is well documented (in particular studies conducted here in Oregon) that we suffer less from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) when there is plentiful daylight. Seniors have less trouble reading and getting around when rooms are filled with daylight. Plus, the more daylight, the more fresh air that is possible.

Joe Patrick, product manager with VELUX® America, states that natural light usually enters homes through “vertical fenestration,” which means openings from doors and windows. If there are enough doors and windows, you’ll have adequate light. “But,” Patrick remarks, “if you want to add beauty to your home and lift your spirits, consider the additional natural light that can be provided by skylights, roof windows, and sun tunnels.”

While extra light can provide well-being, it can also provide cost savings. In addition to less electricity consumption, a home’s neglected area such as an attic can be converted from a gloomy space to a cheery kids’ playroom or productive home office. “Finishing your bonus room with skylights or roof windows may be the highest value, yet lowest cost per square foot option you can choose,” states Patrick. Converting upstairs areas with energy-efficient skylights and roof windows makes expensive dormers unnecessary. “Labor and material costs can be reduced and finished attics and bonus rooms typically appraise at 100% of the value of other living spaces while basements typically do not.” Doug Walter, architect, says that a bright area is important for a child’s room. “Roof windows bring the sun into an attic space under the sloping roof without it losing its appealing tent-like shape and many a childish dream can come true under the sloping roof without the need for large amounts of space and without too great an outlay.”

Skylights and roof windows admit 30% to 50% more light than vertical windows in dormers and provide an uplifting sky view that vertical windows simply cannot. Patrick adds, “Skylights can be fitted with interior blinds and shades or exterior awnings to offer more privacy than vertical windows.” Skylights are a popular choice when adding light to baths, bedrooms, and other rooms where privacy is important.
The modern skylight design has evolved “light years” from the inefficient, chronically leaking, drafty, and yellowing plastic bubble skylight we grew up with. Today’s overhead windows are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, of which there are three general types: skylights, roof windows, and sun tubes.

Skylights are used for overhead, out-of-reach applications or within-reach applications where egress is not required. Available models include electric or manual venting; some open for ventilation, others are fixed. (There are even models that meet code in hurricane areas.) Larger skylights that can be used as doors are sometimes called “roof windows.” Roof windows are for in-reach applications that require egress, such as finished attics. Roof windows are located within a few feet of the floor. The skylight tube is useful when a view to the outside is not needed — closets, laundry rooms, pantries, hallways, and second baths are common places. (See sidebar.)

The most common shape for a skylight is rectangular, but there are also models that are circular, oval, diamond, triangular, and multi-sided.Non-rectangular units incorporate plastic glazing, though higher quality units use glass.

The physical size of the skylight or roof window greatly affects the illumination level and temperature of the space below. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) suggests this rule of thumb for sizing a skylight: the skylight size should never be more than 5% of the floor area in rooms with many windows and no more than 15% of the room’s total floor area for spaces with few windows. EERE also warns that in very cold weather skylights are sometimes prone to water vapor condensing on the glazing. Better skylights should have an interior channel to collect the condensate. Skylight and roof window prices vary hugely. A small skylight model can cost $300 or more. Expect to pay more for special glazing materials, venting, shading, and other options. Installation costs depend on the job’s difficulty.

There are so many skylight and roof window models, styles, and sizes to choose from you will need to do a bit of research. While doing so, consider your ceiling style and roof pitch and whether your home is constructed with trusses or rafters.

To learn more about skylights, roof windows, and Sun Tunnels®, call Truax Builders Supply 503-256-4066 or Parr Lumber 503-614-2500, or logon to www.veluxusa.com. For installation call Skyview Remodeling, a certified Velux® installer at 503-295-6939.