Hello dear community,
I would like to ask for your advice and opinions again regarding our new build project:
Our general contractor (GC) included a skylight in the base package during planning. The skylight provides natural light to the hallway on the ground floor, the stairwell, and the hallway on the upper floor.
Now we are considering whether we really want to keep the skylight or if we should rather remove it from the plan. I have attached pictures of the floor plan/exterior view as well as a photo from the show home.
Advantages of the skylight:
- More natural light—or natural light at all—in the hallway/stairwell
Disadvantages of the skylight:
- Expensive: GC credit unknown, plus an additional €1000 (about $1,100) for an electric shutter (which would be a must for us)
- Difficult to clean
- Disturbs the roof surface, preventing full, uninterrupted installation of photovoltaic panels
- Possible weak spot in the roof for moisture penetration over the years
- Potential issues with overheating in summer (which means shutters would likely often be closed anyway)
- Possibly noisy during rain/hail
- Possible weak point for burglary
Questions:
(1) How would you decide? Keep the skylight or remove it?
(2) What would you most likely use to replace such a skylight? (Smart home is planned, so lighting with motion sensors is no problem)
I would like to ask for your advice and opinions again regarding our new build project:
Our general contractor (GC) included a skylight in the base package during planning. The skylight provides natural light to the hallway on the ground floor, the stairwell, and the hallway on the upper floor.
Now we are considering whether we really want to keep the skylight or if we should rather remove it from the plan. I have attached pictures of the floor plan/exterior view as well as a photo from the show home.
Advantages of the skylight:
- More natural light—or natural light at all—in the hallway/stairwell
Disadvantages of the skylight:
- Expensive: GC credit unknown, plus an additional €1000 (about $1,100) for an electric shutter (which would be a must for us)
- Difficult to clean
- Disturbs the roof surface, preventing full, uninterrupted installation of photovoltaic panels
- Possible weak spot in the roof for moisture penetration over the years
- Potential issues with overheating in summer (which means shutters would likely often be closed anyway)
- Possibly noisy during rain/hail
- Possible weak point for burglary
Questions:
(1) How would you decide? Keep the skylight or remove it?
(2) What would you most likely use to replace such a skylight? (Smart home is planned, so lighting with motion sensors is no problem)
In favor of skylights!
Light is important, especially in hallways or stairwell corners. Constant artificial lighting, even with motion sensors, can be annoying.
Cleaning is not an issue—so what? With the roof pitch, water (and dirt) can’t even collect. I consider the idea that this could become a leak point a myth that developed in the 1950s and unfortunately still persists.
We have an east-facing skylight in the dressing room and other windows facing west in the hallway; I don’t see why we would need to add thermal insulation there.
Yes, I also find the other arguments exaggerated—otherwise, you wouldn’t be allowed to build a house at all.
Light is important, especially in hallways or stairwell corners. Constant artificial lighting, even with motion sensors, can be annoying.
Cleaning is not an issue—so what? With the roof pitch, water (and dirt) can’t even collect. I consider the idea that this could become a leak point a myth that developed in the 1950s and unfortunately still persists.
We have an east-facing skylight in the dressing room and other windows facing west in the hallway; I don’t see why we would need to add thermal insulation there.
Yes, I also find the other arguments exaggerated—otherwise, you wouldn’t be allowed to build a house at all.
J
Jesse Custer10 Feb 2024 18:07ypg schrieb:
We have an east-facing skylight in the dressing room and other windows facing west in the hallway: I don’t see why we would need thermal insulation there.I really appreciate it in our conservatory – the skylights have this special coating, but the vertical windows don’t (they have external blinds).
It’s impressive how noticeable the difference is on a sunny day:
- Skylight and hand in sunlight – no problem, it doesn’t even get really warm
- But with the vertical windows, it quickly becomes uncomfortable (I’m not someone who lies in the sun for hours)
That really makes a difference...
S
Schnubbihh12 Feb 2024 08:28Many thanks for the many helpful comments. The consensus is clearly “in favor of roof windows.” I would now plan with windows as well, but keep in mind that this could be a cut item if serious problems arise with the budget or structural shell...
So that you also get a "counter" opinion.
We don’t have a skylight in that area, and to be honest, I never really considered that one might be missing. It’s a passageway; I don’t spend time there. What matters more to me is natural light in rooms where you actually stay.
Many of the pro opinions assumed that it would be located on the east side. With a southwest orientation and direct sunlight, I would skip it. During the day, especially in summer, you’ll often have to keep it closed, and at night, the skylight is too small to really see anything.
For me, the photovoltaic system is an important factor – I have installed such systems myself, and there is nothing more inconvenient than having to build around a skylight in an otherwise perfect roof area. In the worst case, you lose 6 panels = 2.1 kWp, at least that’s what happened to me. We have a skylight in the bathroom, and I have practically never observed the moon or stars at night through it (not that I would want to miss the daylight in the bathroom – but that is also living space).
We don’t have a skylight in that area, and to be honest, I never really considered that one might be missing. It’s a passageway; I don’t spend time there. What matters more to me is natural light in rooms where you actually stay.
Many of the pro opinions assumed that it would be located on the east side. With a southwest orientation and direct sunlight, I would skip it. During the day, especially in summer, you’ll often have to keep it closed, and at night, the skylight is too small to really see anything.
For me, the photovoltaic system is an important factor – I have installed such systems myself, and there is nothing more inconvenient than having to build around a skylight in an otherwise perfect roof area. In the worst case, you lose 6 panels = 2.1 kWp, at least that’s what happened to me. We have a skylight in the bathroom, and I have practically never observed the moon or stars at night through it (not that I would want to miss the daylight in the bathroom – but that is also living space).
In der Ruine12 Feb 2024 12:11If in doubt, I would plan without a skylight. I prefer to prioritize the photovoltaic system.
Nowadays, there are very attractive LED panels available, even with designs, which can be used as a window replacement.
Try searching for "LED panel instead of skylight" and then look at the images.
Nowadays, there are very attractive LED panels available, even with designs, which can be used as a window replacement.
Try searching for "LED panel instead of skylight" and then look at the images.
Similar topics