Skylights and Home Renovation: Tips to Maximise Light and Value

Renovating your home is a chance to create a space that truly reflects your style while boosting its value. One often-overlooked aspect of renovation is the inclusion of skylights. Not only do skylights flood a home with natural light, but they can also add a sense of spaciousness and increase the market value of your property. In this article, we will share practical tips to help you effectively incorporate skylights into your renovation plans, ensuring you maximise the benefits in both comfort and aesthetics.

1. Choosing the Right Skylight for Your Renovation

The type of skylight you choose plays a crucial role in the success of your renovation project. It’s important to select a skylight that suits both your home’s architecture and your specific needs.

• Fixed Skylights for Living Areas: Fixed skylights are an ideal choice for living areas or bedrooms where you want to add light but don’t need ventilation. These skylights bring consistent natural light into the space, making it feel larger and more open.
• Ventilated Skylights for Bathrooms and Kitchens: In rooms prone to high humidity like bathrooms and kitchens, ventilated skylights offer the perfect solution. They not only bring in natural light but also provide ventilation to reduce moisture build-up, which helps prevent mould and mildew.
• Tubular Skylights for Tight Spaces: Tubular skylights are small, efficient skylights that work well in areas like hallways, closets, or bathrooms. They’re a great choice if you’re renovating smaller spaces that lack natural light but don’t have enough roof space for a traditional skylight.

2. Planning Skylight Placement

Proper skylight placement is key to getting the most out of natural light while avoiding issues like excessive heat or glare.

• Consider the Sun Path: Understanding the sun’s path can help you determine the best placement for your skylights. For instance, skylights installed on a north-facing roof in New Zealand provide soft, consistent light throughout the day, while east-facing skylights capture bright morning light, which is ideal for kitchens or breakfast areas.
• Avoid Direct Overhead in High-Use Areas: If you’re renovating a room where you’ll be reading, working, or watching TV, avoid placing skylights directly overhead where glare could be a problem. Instead, consider installing them at an angle to provide indirect lighting that is less harsh.

3. Ensuring Proper Skylight Installation

Installing a skylight is more complex than putting in a regular window, so ensuring a proper installation is vital to prevent problems down the line.

• Hire a Professional: Improper installation can lead to leaks, drafts, and structural issues, which could end up costing you more in the long run. Always hire a professional installer who has experience working with skylights, especially if your renovation involves roof modifications.
• Use Quality Flashing Kits: Flashing is critical to creating a waterproof seal around your skylight. Using high-quality flashing kits ensures your skylight remains leak-free, even during heavy rain. This is particularly important in regions like Wellington, where strong winds and rains are common.

4. Energy Efficiency Considerations

When adding skylights to your home, it’s important to think about energy efficiency. Skylights that aren’t energy efficient can increase heating and cooling costs, reducing the overall value of your renovation.

• Opt for Double Glazing: Skylights with double glazing help maintain indoor temperatures by reducing heat loss in winter and preventing excessive heat gain in summer. This feature is especially beneficial in New Zealand’s diverse climate.
• Low-E Coatings: Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings can further improve the energy efficiency of your skylights by reflecting heat while allowing natural light to enter. This means you get the benefits of a brighter room without the downside of increased energy bills.

5. Adding Skylight Accessories

Accessories such as shades or blinds can significantly enhance the functionality of your skylights, allowing you to control the amount of light and heat entering your home.

• Motorised Blinds for Convenience: Motorised blinds are particularly useful for hard-to-reach skylights. They provide convenient control over the light entering your room and can even be set on timers to open or close at specific times of the day.
• Blackout Blinds for Bedrooms: If you’re adding a skylight to a bedroom, consider installing blackout blinds. They allow you to enjoy natural light during the day and ensure a dark room at night, which is ideal for better sleep.

6. Enhancing Value Through Skylights

Adding skylights to your home during a renovation can boost its value in multiple ways, making your property more appealing to potential buyers.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Skylights make a home look more spacious and luxurious by bringing in natural light and highlighting architectural features. Rooms with natural light are often perceived as larger and more inviting, which can be a major selling point.
• Energy Savings: Skylights that provide natural light during the day reduce the need for artificial lighting, which can lower electricity bills. In addition, the right skylights can provide passive heating, making your home more energy-efficient and appealing to environmentally-conscious buyers.

Conclusion

Integrating skylights into your home renovation can transform your living space, adding natural light, improving aesthetics, and enhancing energy efficiency. Whether you’re renovating a kitchen, adding a new bathroom, or simply brightening up a hallway, the right skylights can elevate your home’s comfort and value. By following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of skylights in your next renovation project, ensuring your home is not only brighter but also more energy-efficient and appealing to future buyers.