 How-to use skylights to enhance
a room addition.
No one is quite sure how it happens. But it does. And with each new dawn
comes the warm reassurance that it will happen again.
The power of the sun to rejuvenate the human spirit is not completely
understood. Even with the advances in modern medicine, scientists
continue to struggle for a definitive theory. But the fact remains that
the effect of the sun on the human soul is real--a feeling which can be
found within the comfort of your own home.
Adding
a sunroom to your house:
You will not only enjoy the healing effects of natural light, but also the
benefits of more room for your family, the perfect environment in which to
grow plants and an unobstructed view of the great outdoors. And for the
more practical homeowner, a sunroom is one of the best ways to increase a
home’s value and help cut energy costs through passive solar heating as
well.
No other addition to your home can do so much for so little. Installing a
quality skylight designed with solid wood frames, double pane insulated
glass and maintenance-free aluminum cladding, the only thing you need to
worry about is which direction you want the sun to enter your home.
Roller shades and Venetian blinds are available to help control how much
or how little light you’ll want on any given day. And choosing a Low-e
argon gas filled model will increase your home’s energy efficiency. Add a
ventilating feature and you are assured of maximum comfort. Ventilating
skylight models that open and close allow fresh air to circulate
throughout the room with the turn of a rod or the push of a button. You
can even choose to operate a ventilating skylight via remote control.
Where to put your
Skylight room:
Skylights offer you the flexibility to build a sunroom which looks like a
natural extension of your home and not like an afterthought. If you are
looking to add more light to your home or want to take advantage of the
sun’s passive solar benefits, try to position your sunroom so that it is
facing southward if possible. Also try to build your new addition under
a tree which sheds its leaves in the fall. This way you can receive the
benefits of shading in the summer and the warmth of the sun in the
winter. And if by chance you’re thinking of using your sunroom as an
artist’s studio keep in mind that a northern exposure will provide the
perfect soft lighting for creating your works of art.
Things
to Consider:
You will need to determine if your sunroom is in accordance with property
setback lines and other zoning restrictions. A local Planning or Zoning
Office can advise you of these items. Also, care should be taken to
ensure that existing lines such as water, sewer, gas, electrical,
telephone, and cable are not damaged during construction. Additionally,
certain utilities such as septic tanks and their lines cannot be covered
by a building and must maintain a minimum clearance from any structure.
Ask the Health or Building Authority in your area for these requirements.
Think about how you plan to access your sunroom. Ideally, you will want
to make use of an existing door or window which can be made into any
entranceway. And, if this room is going to be used by the whole family,
consider a design that allows access from more than one room. If you plan
on dining or entertaining there, try and locate it near the kitchen or
pantry.
And finally, make sure the location doesn’t interfere with any second
story windows or other architectural features. And always make sure to
match the slope of your new roof with your existing roof. This is one way
to ensure your sunroom will look like a natural extension of your original
house.
From Soft Light to No
Light, How To Gain Control of the Sun:
No matter what type
of climate you live in, it’s always a good idea to equip your sunroom with
some form of sun screening accessories. Roller shades provide excellent
sun screening protection from the midday sun, while Venetian style blinds
are an attractive way to limit the amount of light and heat that enters
into your home. Skylights that incorporate high performance glazing
increase your sunroom's ability to reflect heat during the day, and keep
warm air in during the night. Particularly useful is a Low-E, argon gas
filled bronze tint option in which clear odorless argon gas is injected
between the panes of glass to further improve the unit’s energy
efficiency.
Heating and Cooling:
Ceiling fans coupled with a ventilating skylight will generally create
enough circulation to keep your sunroom cool and comfortable. But should
you need additional backup, it’s always a good idea to check with your
local contractor to see if your current heating and air conditioning
system can handle your new sunroom. If you do need additional vents, you
may want to install a designated system which can be turned on only when
needed.
While all of these
suggestions may seem like a lot to consider, they are really not. All it
takes from here is a little initiative, a little imagination and the
desire to build a room capable of capturing the power of the sun.
Check
out the complete line of VELUX Skylights,
SUN TUNNEL™ and
Accessories
Watch a video -
How-to install a skylight
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