Benefits of Installing a Skylight in Your Home

Installing a skylight in your home can bring in a flood of natural light, making your space feel more vibrant and welcoming. This can be especially beneficial for rooms that are prone to darkness, such as basements or attics.

According to research, a skylight can reduce the need for artificial lighting by up to 50%. This not only saves energy but also prolongs the lifespan of your light bulbs.

A well-designed skylight can also improve the aesthetic appeal of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell.

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The history of skylights is a fascinating story that spans thousands of years. Open skylights were first used in Ancient Roman architecture, such as the oculus of the Pantheon.

Glazed skylights have been around since the Industrial Revolution, when advances in glass manufacturing made them practical. This marked a significant turning point in the development of skylights.

Since the mid-20th century, mass production of skylights has brought them to many more uses and contexts. Energy conservation has brought new motivation for installing skylights, design innovations, and skylight efficiency ratings.

The history of skylights dates back to Ancient Roman architecture, where open skylights were used, such as the oculus of the Pantheon.

The Industrial Revolution brought a significant change with the introduction of glazed 'closed' skylights, made practical by advances in glass manufacturing.

Since the mid-20th century, mass production of skylights has made them a common feature in many buildings and homes.

The use of skylights has been further motivated by energy conservation efforts, which have led to design innovations and efficiency ratings.

Kalwall's translucent skylights optimize the performance of traditional glass skylights by diffusing light deep into spaces—without glare.

Kalwall skylights minimize solar heat gain and maximize thermal performance.

They're rugged enough to handle extreme weather, all without breaking the budget.

The introduction of skylights into a space is proven to boost mood and retail sales for an all-around healthy building environment.

Kalwall skylights are available in multiple unique and customizable applications: s-lines, pyramids, and geo-roofs.

Standard skylight orders require only face-sheet color, u-value selection, standard curb size, and finish color.

Kalwall skylights have the fastest lead times as a standard product.

Solar architecture is all about harnessing the sun's heat and light to maximum advantage and minimum disadvantage. This approach involves designing buildings to use the sun's energy efficiently, which can save energy, lower costs, and reduce environmental impacts.

Daylighting is a key aspect of solar architecture, and it's achieved through the use of skylights and windows. Increased daylighting can result in less electrical lighting use and smaller sized window glazing, saving energy and reducing environmental impacts.

Toplighting, or the use of skylights, is particularly effective for bringing light into centralized areas of a building. This is because toplighting can provide daylight throughout the day, even on overcast days, when it's three to ten times more efficient than sidelighting.

A combination of toplighting and sidelighting can maximize daylighting in a building, making it more energy-efficient and reducing the need for artificial lighting.

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Skylights using glass infill typically use sealed insulating glass units (IGU) made with two panes of glass.

These products are NFRC-ratable for visible transmittance, meaning they meet certain standards for light transmission.

Adding a third pane of glass can sometimes be cost-justified in the coldest climate zones, but it may lose some light.

Low-E coatings are often applied to one or more glass surfaces to reduce the U-factor and SHGC by suppressing radiant heat flow.

High purity inert gas is frequently used in the space between panes to improve thermal performance.

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Glass is a popular choice for skylights, and for good reason. It's incredibly versatile and can be tailored to meet specific performance needs.

Sealed insulating glass units (IGU) made with two panes of glass are commonly used in contemporary skylights. These units are NFRC-ratable for visible transmittance, which is a measure of how much light can pass through.

Some skylights may use three panes of glass, but this can actually reduce light transmission. It's often only cost-justified in the coldest climate zones.

Low-E coatings are frequently applied to glass surfaces to reduce heat flow and improve thermal performance. These coatings can also reduce daylight potential to varying degrees.

High purity inert gas is often used in the space between panes to further improve thermal performance.

The Velux Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight is a game-changer for any home. It's a refreshing innovation that can transform crowded kitchens and tight bathrooms with daylight and fresh air. This skylight is not just a pretty face, it's also energy-efficient.

With a small solar panel on the exterior, it captures available daylight to open and close the skylight while charging a small, concealed battery even on cloudy days. This means you can enjoy the benefits of natural light and fresh air without worrying about the hassle of manual operation.

The Velux Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight comes with a preprogrammed remote control, allowing you to open or close your skylights at your convenience or at scheduled times of the day. This feature is perfect for those who value convenience and flexibility.

The skylight's glass is made of Neat glass, which disperses water evenly for quick evaporation and reduced water spotting. This means you'll enjoy a clear view and a reduced risk of water damage.

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Here are some key features of the Velux Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight:

The Velux No Leak Skylights carry a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on product, and five years on shades and controls. This ensures you're protected against any defects or issues with the skylight.

Solar-powered skylight shades provide integrated light and temperature control, giving you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy lovely, naturally lit rooms, with all the convenience of remote- or smartphone-controlled shades to diffuse or block the light when needed.

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Skylights are a great way to bring natural light into your space, and the benefits are numerous. Studies have shown that students who learn in classrooms with optimized daylighting have significantly higher test scores than those who don't.

Daylighting can also have a positive impact on our well-being, increasing productivity and even sales in retail spaces. I've seen it firsthand in stores with plenty of natural light - customers seem more energized and willing to shop!

In terms of cost savings, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that many commercial buildings can reduce their total energy costs by up to one-third through the optimal use of daylighting. That's a significant amount of money saved!

Some of the most effective ways to implement daylighting include using energy-saving lighting, installing skylights, and designing buildings with roofs that maximize natural light. Architects have been using skylights extensively in recent years, especially in commercial warehouses and big box stores.

Here are some key areas to consider when it comes to daylighting and skylights:

Choosing the right skylight can be a daunting task, but Kalwall skylights stand out from the rest.

Kalwall's technology controls heat transfer without the need for special tints or coatings, improving solar control by as much as 900% compared to traditional insulated glass units.

You can enjoy natural light even in the coldest climates without compromising thermal performance, thanks to Kalwall's exceptional thermal performance options.

Kalwall's wide range of insulation packages from 0.29 to 0.05 U (1.65 to 0.28 W/m2k) ensures that your skylight is well-insulated and energy-efficient.

Properly maintained Kalwall skylights can be walked on without the risk of fall through, making roof maintenance activities a breeze.

Kalwall exceeds OSHA 1910.22, ensuring that your skylight is safe and compliant with regulations.

Translucency offers total visual privacy from the outside, so you can enjoy the benefits of natural light without compromising your privacy.

Panels on average weigh about 2 lbs/sq. foot or 9.76 kg/sq. meter, making them relatively lightweight and easy to install.