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Skylight: what is it and how does it work?

by Elia Caneppele 28 August 2022 commenti (0) scrivi commento
A skylight opening on the roof of the house improves the livability of the spaces, especially in the case of attics and lofts.

The various models of skylights for roofs have interesting solutions to increase the light in the rooms of our homes. Natural light creates a feeling of greater space and highlights the details of the furniture .

If you want to transform your home and make it brighter, inserting a skylight may be the ideal choice. As with any building element, the characteristics of the skylights should also be carefully evaluated before purchasing.

But how to choose the most suitable skylight ? I am Elia Caneppele founder of Windowo and in the following guide I will give you a lot of information to answer this question.

In this article we will see together how a skylight works , which are the best models of skylights and the features to keep an eye on.

Skylight: what is it and how does it work?

 

What is the skylight?

The skylight for roofs is that opening in the roof that lets in light and air (usually in the attic or in the attic). In this way the room becomes brighter and more ventilated.

Here are the main benefits of a skylight:
  • Privacy : can be opened wide without being seen by neighbors;
  • User comfort : light and air increase the quality of life;
  • Savings on electricity consumption for artificial lighting.
  • Living space : it makes habitable spaces often without other openings to the outside.

What is a skylight or skylight?

Skylight is the most popular form, but the term skylight can also be used safely. In fact, the Italian dictionaries accept both versions, which derive from the Latin term lucernarium .

What is the skylight used for?

As with a classic window , a skylight can be used both by hand and with automation devices, perhaps setting programs that work at certain times or identifying certain rain scenarios (in this sense home automation is making giant steps).

Roof windows can be fitted with shutters or curtains for thermal or acoustic insulation. If you are interested in this topic, I suggest you read our article dedicated to thermal transmittance fixtures .

What are the types of skylights openings?

The handles on skylights are like those on traditional windows: for opening and closing there is usually a window handle on the underside of the frame.

On the market you can find various models of skylights for roofs for sale and your choice must be made according to the characteristics of the room and the slope of the roof. Here are the main models present:

Windows with vasistas opening

The vasistas windows can be kept open even in the event of wind or rain. In addition, the ventilation is more controlled and the mechanism does not clutter up much space. For more information on this type of window, I suggest you read the dedicated article on the Windowo blog.

Skylight with pivot opening

Compared to the vasistas opening, the pivoting one has the advantage of making cleaning less difficult and allows greater air recycling. If you choose this type of opening you will have to install the pivot skylight with a slope between 15 and 90 degrees.

Skylight with compass opening

This opening does not obstruct the internal space and can remain open even when it rains; however, cleaning operations are more complex. The slope goes between 15 and 45 degrees.

Book opening skylight

This type of roof skylight has a hinged side opening as if it were a book cover. It can be opened up to 90 degrees and allows for easy passage outside.

I point out that there are also some uncommon systems (for example with double opening) whose choice can be convenient if you have particular needs.

The types of window openings are not the only characteristics that should guide you in your choice. The skylight must also have accessories to ensure air and water tightness and laminated glass to ensure the safety of users. This is why my advice is to always choose high quality models.

Which type of skylight to choose?

There are 6 main models of skylights: let's see them together one by one.

1 - Fixed skylight

A fixed skylight cannot be opened and therefore does not allow any ventilation. In fact, the purpose of a fixed skylight is only to illuminate and guarantees thermal insulation as there are no gaskets .

2 - Ventilating skylight

In an aerating skylight around its light point there are vents. The goal is to ensure the ventilation of the environment and illuminate it with natural light.

3 - Electric skylight

An electric skylight , thanks to electrical devices that act as motors for windows , allows you to close and open using a remote control. Electric skylights are often equipped with blackout curtains .

4 - Tubular skylight

A tubular skylight illuminates even if it does not adjoin the roof. The connection is made by a reflective tube: the light passes inside in a natural way. The cost is usually higher than that of a classic model.

5 - Dome skylight

The shape of the domed skylight is convex and thus prevents the entry of direct sunlight. Its goal is to prevent the room from overheating and there are replacement domes made of glass or plastic on the market.

6 - Armored skylight

The armored skylight is a burglar -proof model with shatterproof glass. It is usually equipped with an anti-theft lock .

Often a skylight for roofs is one of the main weak points of the house because it is not equippedwith safety grates . Thanks to the armored model you can have light and ventilation without worrying about any intrusions.

Quanto costa installare un lucernario?

How much does it cost to install a skylight?

A roof window will let in more natural light and the room will appear larger. Do you want to install one and don't know how much it might cost?

Skylight prices may vary depending on the model. The cost depends on many factors: dimensions first , then on the material, type of glass (whether it is tempered glass or not), type of opening, assembly and dimensions.

My advice is not to save on quality and labor because a badly installed roof window can cause a lot of damage.

In the table below you will find general prices for various size / material combinations. Prices include installation and VAT.
Prices skylights
Measures PVC Wood Aluminum
55x78 cm € 550 € 600 € 620
66x98 cm € 570 € 620 € 670
78x98 cm € 650 € 700 € 800
78x140 cm € 700 € 750 € 800
94x118 cm € 770 € 820 € 850
94x140 cm € 800 € 850 € 870
114x118 cm € 800 € 850 € 900
114x140 cm € 820 € 870 € 950
134x98 cm € 850 € 900 € 950
134x140 cm € 1000 € 1050 € 1100

Wooden skylight

The wooden skylight is very popular with the general public. Wood is a precious material that conveys a feeling of elegance. However, it must be installed taking into account that it will also have to be periodically maintained.

The price is certainly higher than the pvc windows , but it increases the value and prestige of the property.

PVC skylight

The pvc skylight is also in great demand. The material with which it is made offers high performance in thermal insulation. Furthermore, PVC is very resistant to atmospheric agents.

More and more people are buying a PVC skylight convinced by its excellent quality / price ratio.

Aluminum skylight

Finally there is the aluminum skylight . It resists adverse atmospheric agents and has good performance for thermal insulation. The weak point of an aluminum skylight is the knot between the roof and the window, so a waterproof mat is usually applied.

The price is higher than that of a wooden skylight.

The prices of assembly and other services

The cost of assembly depends on the size and difficulty of installation.

Removal ranges from € 80 to € 120 and glass replacement ranges from € 50 to € 300. The skylight motor costs between € 80 and € 150.

Finally, I would like to point out that obviously a custom-made skylight costs more than the industrial model.

Mosquito nets for skylights

Are you looking for fly screens for Velux , fly screens for roof windows, fly screens for attics or skylights? On Windowo you can find the best models of mosquito nets for sale online at discounted prices. If you are interested I recommend you visit our category, you will certainly not be disappointed.

I hope this article is useful to you, if you wish you can share it with friends and co-workers.

Elia Caneppele
Elia Caneppele

I'm Elia Caneppele, author of this article and founder of Windowo, the Italian shop specialising in the online sale of products for windows. My speciality is doing SEO for ecommerce and blogs, which, in simple terms, means getting people to find us on the Internet.

Since 2014 I have been a digital entrepreneur and, in addition to managing Windowo, I also deal with the communication of Autismo.it. I create content trying to convey as much value as possible to our customers.

Below I leave you the links to my social networks: I can't wait to get in touch with you personally.

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