Naturally lit indoor spaces provide aesthetic and health-related benefits to homeowners, along with energy savings from reduced reliance on electric indoor lighting. Windows are considered the best way to allow natural light into the house, but there are conditions that make a skylight or two the ideal choice.
Open Floor Plans
Open floor plans make small homes look more spacious and allow more flexibility in the floor plan. One of the drawbacks of having an open floor plan is it will require lots of natural light. As a rule of thumb, a window will illuminate the floor area equivalent to twice the window height. This means, unless resizing is part of the plan, an open floor plan is bound to have dimly lit areas. Skylights in the right positions can provide illumination to such areas and create balanced lighting without changing the windows.
Finished Attics
Attics can be finished and converted into an extra bedroom, a home office or a recreational room. The conversion process can be complicated in itself as one has to make sure that it’s protected against common problems like inadequate insulation or a leaking roof. Natural lighting is another one of these challenges because adding a window isn’t as simple, thanks to its sloped surface. Whereas many remodelers resort to gable or dormer windows, you should consider adding skylights instead. You can have bigger glass areas that allow in more natural light.
Taller Surrounding Structures
If your home is surrounded by tall structures, such as houses or apartments, you probably have at least one room that never gets enough natural light. These conditions are also common in adjoining houses, where only certain windows receive natural light. Skylights solve this problem by allowing natural light, even in rooms way in the back. If there is not enough space for a full-size skylight, consider solar tubes, which are functionally similar to skylights but are much smaller.
Tedrick’s Roofing is your leading provider of skylight and gutter installation services. Give us a call at (206) 824-3440, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Seattle, WA, and nearby areas.