Skylights have the ability to transform commercial, industrial, and residential spaces considerably. They give off a much more “open” vibe to any setting, letting in not only sunlight, but a chance for the human mind to refresh itself as well, all with a simple peek at the green outside.
Understanding the basics of skylight design and placement is crucial for maximizing their benefits. The idea is to help you make informed decisions regarding where to put your skylights, at what angle, and what type to choose.
This article will discuss a detailed framework for integrating skylights into various settings, discussing different placement designs and their pros and cons.
Skylight Integration in Different Settings
The skylight design and associated design load varies with respect to its application.
Commercial Settings
In commercial buildings, such as offices, retail stores, and shopping centers, skylights can create an inviting atmosphere, enhance visibility, and reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
- Central Atriums: Placing skylights over central atriums can illuminate large areas and create a focal point in the building. This design is effective in office buildings and shopping malls.
- Corridors and Hallways: Skylights in corridors provide natural light, making these transit areas more pleasant and reducing how much electricity is used for lighting.
- Meeting Rooms: Incorporating skylights in meeting rooms can improve concentration and reduce eye strain, enhancing productivity during long meetings.
Industrial Settings
In industrial settings, such as warehouses and factories, skylights can improve safety, enhance productivity, and reduce energy costs.
- Factory Floors: Skylights placed over factory floors provide ample natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving visibility for workers.
- Warehouses: Using skylights in warehouses can help illuminate large storage areas, making it easier to locate items and reducing energy consumption.
- Production Areas: Placing skylights in production areas ensures that workers have sufficient light, reducing the risk of accidents and improving product quality.
Residential Settings
In residential buildings, skylights can enhance the living experience by offering natural light, enhancing airflow, and creating a spacious atmosphere.
- Living Rooms: Skylights in living rooms can make the space feel larger and more open, creating a pleasant environment for family activities and gatherings.
- Kitchens: Integrating skylights in kitchens provides natural light for cooking and food preparation, reducing how much artificial lighting you need.
- Bathrooms: Skylights in bathrooms can improve ventilation and provide natural light, creating a relaxing and spa-like atmosphere.
Placement Designs for Skylights
Depending on your property and objective, there are several placement designs that you can adopt for your skylight(s).
- Fixed Skylights: These non-operable skylights consistently provide natural light, perfect for spaces like hallways and corridors where ventilation isn't needed.
- They are highly energy-efficient, low maintenance, and cost-effective.
- However, they do not provide much ventilation and may increase the potential for heat gain/loss.
- Ventilated Skylights: These can be opened to facilitate air circulation, ideal for areas requiring ventilation, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
- They provide natural light and ventilation and reduce indoor pollutants.
- However, they require more maintenance and have a higher potential for leaks if not properly installed.
- Tubular Skylights: Small, cylindrical skylights that channel light through a reflective tube. Ideal for small or confined spaces where traditional skylights are not feasible.
- Easy to install, effective in small spaces, minimal heat gain/loss.
- Limited light output, less aesthetic appeal.
- Pyramidal Skylights: Skylights with a pyramid shape that provides a unique architectural feature. Suitable for large commercial and industrial buildings.
- Aesthetic appeal, distributes light evenly, reduces glare.
- Higher installation costs, potential for structural modifications.
- Dome Skylights: Dome-shaped skylights are rounded structures that protrude above the roofline. They are versatile and can be used in various settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
- Allows for natural light to diffuse evenly. They are more resistant to harsh weather conditions like hail and strong winds.
- They may be more expensive due to the complex shape. May also require careful installation to ensure waterproofing and insulation.
- Ridge Skylights: Ridge skylights are installed along the ridge of a sloped roof, maximizing natural light intake from above.
- Provide a continuous strip of natural light. Enhance architectural aesthetics by following the roofline.
- Installation may require structural modifications.
- Barrel Vault Skylights: Barrel vault skylights are curved structures that span across the roof, resembling a barrel shape.
- Offer a dramatic architectural feature. Allow for extensive daylighting.
- Require sufficient roof space for installation. May involve higher construction costs due to customization.
Factors to Consider During Integration
Choosing the right skylight design and placement is highly dependent on your property and geographical location. Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Building Orientation: The building’s orientation affects the amount and quality of light received. North-facing skylights provide consistent, indirect light, while south-facing skylights capture more direct sunlight.
- Roof Structure: Assess the roof structure to ensure it can support the weight and installation of skylights. Reinforce the roof if necessary.
- Climate and Weather Conditions: Consider the local climate and weather conditions when choosing skylight materials and designs. In areas with harsh weather, opt for skylights with durable, weather-resistant materials.
- Glazing and Insulation: Choose skylights with high-quality glazing and insulation to prevent heat loss/gain and enhance energy efficiency.
- Building Codes and Regulations: Ensure that the skylight installation complies with local building codes and regulations. Obtain necessary permits before starting the installation.
Design Options for Maximizing Light Intake
You must position skylights to maximize light penetration while minimizing glare. Avoid placing skylights directly above workstations to reduce glare and heat buildup. Furthermore, try to use light wells to direct natural light deeper into the building. These vertical shafts capture light from the skylight and channel it into lower floors, enhancing the distribution of natural light.
Where possible, try to incorporate reflective surfaces, such as white walls and light-colored floors, to enhance the dispersion of natural light. This helps create a brighter and more uniform lighting environment.
Some examples include:
- Atriums: Integrate atriums into the building design to create open, light-filled spaces. Atriums can serve as central hubs, enhancing the flow of natural light throughout the building.
- Clerestory Windows: Use clerestory windows to supplement skylights. These high windows bring in additional light without compromising privacy or security.
- Light Shelves: Install light shelves on windows to reflect sunlight deeper into the building. These horizontal surfaces bounce light upward, reducing glare and increasing the penetration of natural light.
Integrating skylights into architectural designs for commercial, industrial, and residential settings requires careful planning and consideration. You need to understand the different types of skylights, their placement designs, and the factors affecting their integration to create energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and productive environments.
You can call our experts at VTECH Skylight at any time to discuss your project further. We help you determine the type of skylight, as well as where to put it in order to maximize the benefits it has to offer!