Many people think of skylights as a luxury addition to the home, but that’s not necessarily true anymore. Today’s skylights do much more than add natural light and architectural flair. They increase privacy, reduce energy use during the day, improve comfort, brighten up small rooms, make homes safer for older people (who need 60% more light to see properly), and add ventilation and fresh air to the home. Newer versions like Velux skylights look and work better, are more energy efficient and let more light through than the old bubble-style skylights. At night they can display the majesty of the stars and the moon.
Skylights Add Natural Light
Natural lighting is the single biggest attraction of installing skylights, with benefits that far exceed lower utility bills. Well-lit homes provide homeowners with healthier, more enjoyable, and more attractive living spaces. The more natural light you can let in by installing skylights in all their forms, the less you’ll have to rely on expensive artificial lighting to light your home. In fact, skylights can be especially effective at increasing natural lighting in hard-to-light interior areas of your home. It is a proven fact that people that have dark areas of their home tend to avoid those areas. Why not use your whole home?
Skylights Provide Health & Safety Benefits
Receiving regular doses of sunlight and fresh air offers many health benefits. First, having an insufficient amount of sunlight is linked directly to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), and people with SAD have less energy, eat more, and are depressed. Twenty percent of Americans suffer from SAD. Second, poor indoor air quality is a major contributor to a wide array of health issues. One of the best ways to combat it is to provide as much natural ventilation in your home as possible. Last, as we age, we need more light to see the way we did when we were young (up to 60% more light is needed). Slips and falls happen when we can’t see well, making poorly lit areas of the home a safety hazard for the elderly. Skylights with screens offer a way to circulate fresh air throughout your home and provide much-needed light.
Skylights Increase Energy Efficiency
Skylights are popular for green remodeling because they help increase energy efficiency in your home (and reduce energy costs), especially when it comes to eliminating heat transfer and making the most of passive solar heating. Skylights also maximize natural lighting. If you currently have those dirty, faded plastic bubble skylights on your home, you are wasting energy. They no longer provide as much light, and are not as energy-efficient as newer skylights. VELUX skylights are up to 35% more energy efficient than plastic skylights. Their savings can be approximately $13 a month. Glass, particularly the Comfort™ glass used in all VELUX roof windows and skylights, is superior to plastic because it’s more energy efficient, more durable and reduces external noises.
New Skylights Add Value
Going green with skylights will probably cost you a little more upfront than going with a traditional alternative, though the energy-saving benefits alone mean that most skylights pay for themselves in the long run. But, you shouldn’t invest in new skylights solely to reduce energy costs. Homes with new skylights are healthier, require less maintenance, have distinctive decor and are more comfortable.
Find out more about skylight sales and installation in Northern Va here.
