What About Skylight Windows?
Undoubtedly, Skylight windows make an attractive addition to any home, but the location of the house makes a lot of difference.
Basically, skylight windows best suit houses located in cooler climates where the sun is not too hot. Luckily, there are many parts of the U.S. that have the kind of weather most suitable for these windows. Under such climatic conditions skylight windows are major sources of solar heating. Even when the sun behaves erratic and there’s not enough of sunshine coming to room, large skylight windows help the room appear airy and bright, by driving the gloom away.
Vertical windows are not as efficient as skylight windows in areas that get limited sunlight and heat. Skylights are enabled to gather sunlight from the suspended clouds. Moreover, skylight windows facilitate deeper permeation of sunlight into the structure of house in a less obtrusive manner. They also help reducing cooling and heating costs.
Skylights open your windows to the heaven. They make the space so lively and are much in fashion these days. In such circumstances consumers tend to forego some important considerations when choosing skylight windows. Energy problems associated with any other kind of window are present even with skylights. They are no exception to the effects of loss or gain of heat, ventilation, solar gains and humidity and moisture.
For optimum energy efficiency, material of these windows should be chosen with care. Both, glass and plastics have positive points as well disadvantages.
Though glass is considered more durable it ‘s available in limited shapes only. It’s more expensive also. Plastic, on the other hand, offers flexibility, is available in many shapes and is economical also. However, plastic glazing tends to lose its original color a bit too fast. The disadvantage of having these in irregular shapes means more loss of heat, which increases with increased surface area.
Windows VS Skylights:
It’s not correct to say that Skylights can substitute for windows, for these are positioned in such a manner that they remain inaccessible, unless operated by remote controls. Even with motorized skylights that can easily be maneuvered, there are disadvantages inherent to Skylights, whereas windows have no such features or have the minimum of those.
Compared to skylights, vertical windows lose heat by convection. Moreover, overhangs and shrubs generally protect windows. However, they are directly exposed to sun lose more heat thru radiation, proper insulation can help this loss of heat, though.
During summers, skylights being more exposed to sun than windows bring in more heat to the room in an already hot weather. To a good extent this problem can be taken care of by a careful selection of Skylights.
To derive the most from your skylight windows, it is important to choose skylights cautiously and fix them properly. Only then you should expect what they promise to deliver.