Build a Healthier Home with Skylights

by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for Direct from the Designers

The vast majority of us spend more time inside than we should. And it’s no wonder—you’ve never been able to do so much from home before. Indoor conditions aren’t usually optimal for well-being, though. Artificial lighting and stuffy air can wear on you both physically and mentally, so it’s important to get outside as much as you can. It’s also a great idea to build or renovate your home to provide a healthier living experience. Here’s how skylights improve some of the most important areas around the house!

Skylights in Living Spaces

Skylights are found most often in main living areas for a few reasons. First, families spend a considerable amount of time in communal spaces during the day and that makes the free natural light especially attractive. Second, skylights complement the open-concept floor plans and vaulted ceilings that are so popular these days much better than electric lighting; large apertures above brighten more efficiently than series of recessed lights or fixtures. Finally, living spaces are usually centrally located in the home, so the reach of skylights can go farther—into a nearby kitchen, dining room, or foyer, for example—to really maximize their value. You get all these practical advantages inherently, without ever having to flip a switch!

Installing skylights in your living spaces also provides the whole household with the uplifting effects of natural light. Getting more daylight is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits, everything from increased mood and energy, to better sleep at night, to stronger immunity and less eye strain. Even though we live in the modern world, our bodies still have internal rhythms that are affected by environmental conditions and cycles; they don’t respond favorably to artificial and irregular substitutes. So, if you want to live more healthily, one of the easiest things you can do is introduce more natural light into your daily life.

Kitchen Skylights

Of course, the same benefits of natural light apply when you install skylights anywhere in the house, but they have a secondary function that makes them ideal for certain applications. The kitchen is a great place to install skylights that open because of how hot, stuffy, and steamy this area can get when cooking. Warmer air rises, so opening the skylight will naturally improve indoor air quality. Some people consider this a backup to regular kitchen ventilation, but others choose to rely on skylights. Why? They’re clear overhead, so they don’t risk blocking views like a ventilation hood. They also vent silently because they don’t have a fan motor. If you want to use skylights for kitchen ventilation, make sure to discuss it with a professional early on so you can plan the most effective layout.

Bathroom Skylights

The same thing applies for bathrooms, where ventilation is critical to prevent mold growth, peeling paint, and even damage to the underlying wall and ceiling framing. You may think your bathroom exhaust fan does the job, but many don’t actually vent outside and can’t keep up with the airborne moisture produced during a hot shower. A large overhead opening easily releases steam at the source—that’s why so many homeowners install skylights directly above the bath/stall. Of course, skylights also provide plenty of natural light with more privacy than windows, so they’re great for starting your day off right with some sun as you get ready.

Bedroom Skylights

If you have trouble getting to sleep or waking up in the morning, your bedroom might be the problem. Waking up with the sun is much gentler than an alarm, so don’t be afraid to let the light in! It will also help regulate your circadian rhythm to make it easier to fall asleep at night. If you’re worried about the light being too harsh, you can outfit your skylights with light filtering shades to diffuse it to a glow. Blackout shades are also available if you’d prefer being able to completely block light at will. In any case, it’s a good idea to choose skylights that open, because poor indoor air quality is another big reason why people have trouble sleeping. You don’t have to sleep with them open—just air out the room before bedtime and you’ll feel the difference.

No matter what you need in a natural lighting solution, take a look at VELUX®! Their catalog includes all sorts of traditional skylights to those for flat roofs, Sun Tunnels for tight spaces, and roof windows for when you need to install something within reach that counts as a point of egress. You’ll also find a variety of shades available to tailor the look and effect on your interior. Reach out for assistance if you have any trouble deciding on the best skylights for your home!