Are Skylights Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide to Benefits, Drawbacks, and Considerations

Skylights have increased in popularity across Australia for their many benefits of natural light and enhanced energy efficiency. While there are many advantages to skylights, improper installation or choosing a skylight unsuited to the local climate can lead to issues such as heat loss, heat gain or water leaks. 

With so many options available, selecting the right skylight can feel overwhelming. So, are tubular skylights a better choice than traditional skylights? In this article, we’ll explore the advantages and drawbacks of skylights and why Solatube’s tubular skylights are the superior option for homeowners.

What Are Skylights?

Skylights are roof-mounted systems designed to bring natural light into the home. While many homeowners associate skylights with traditional fixed or vented glass panels, tubular skylights offer a more efficient alternative. Depending on the roof type, the type of skylight that is best for your home will vary. 

Here are the most common types of skylights and their benefits: 

• Fixed Skylight: Fixed skylights are designed to bring in natural light without ventilation. They are suitable for stairwells or hallways; however, they may contribute to heat gain or loss without proper insulation. 

• Roof Window Skylights: Also known as ventilated skylights, these can be opened to improve ventilation. While they help reduce moisture buildup in kitchens and bathrooms, they require careful installation to avoid leaks and energy loss.

 

• Tubular Skylights: Tubular skylights are compact and highly effective in channelling sunlight into any space. They help control temperature and regulate heat while delivering consistent, natural light throughout the day. Unlike traditional skylights, Solatube’s tubular skylights are engineered to deliver maximum daylight while regulating heat and maintaining energy efficiency.

Advantages of Installing Skylights

When selecting a type of skylight, it is important to choose one that aligns with energy efficiency goals and home design needs. Solatube’s tubular skylights offer unique advantages over traditional skylights, ensuring homeowners receive all the benefits without sacrificing the common drawbacks.

Enhanced Natural Lighting

Skylights help brighten the dark areas of the home, enhancing the natural light and making it feel more open and bright. Solatube’s skylights maximise the amount of light brought into the home without excessive heat or glare, making them the optimal choice compared to traditional skylights.

Energy Efficiency

Solatube uses advanced technology to enhance light performance while minimising heat gain and glare. A Solatube daylighting system provides the same amount of light as a traditional fixed skylight, five times larger, but with thermal performance equivalent to a skylight five times smaller. This makes Solatube the most energy-efficient natural lighting solution for your home.

Aesthetic Appeal and Property Value

A well-lit home with natural light and views of the sky feels larger and more inviting. This can increase property value for the energy-efficient and modern aesthetics that skylights bring into the home.

Disadvantages and Potential Concerns

Although tubular skylights are an excellent solution for increasing natural light, it is also important to consider the potential drawbacks of traditional skylights and why choosing Solatube’s advanced technology mitigates these risks.

Risk of Leaks and Maintenance

Although skylights bring a great deal of benefits to the home, if they are not professionally installed or have aged, they run the risk of leaks. This is why it is important to have regular inspections and maintenance to ensure longevity and performance. Choosing Solatubes’ premium dealers ensures that skylight installation issues are reduced, lowering the risk of leaks or structural degradation.

Energy Loss and Overheating

Depending on the type of skylight, the amount of heat gain or heat loss can be a major concern. Traditional glass skylights may allow excessive heat transfer, leading to increased energy costs. Solatube’s tubular skylights are designed with superior insulation and advanced optical technology to minimise these issues.

Key Considerations Before Installing Skylights

Before selecting and installing a skylight, it is important to consider the following factors: 

Climate and Geographic Location

The local climate can greatly affect the performance of a skylight and impact its benefits. Across Australia, the weather can be quite unpredictable with extreme heat or frequent storms; this makes it important to choose a skylight that is durable yet able to maintain consistent temperatures in a home. Solatube’s skylights are engineered to perform across all climates, maintaining a consistent indoor temperature no matter the location.  

Placement and Design

Strategic placement of skylights is another consideration as roof orientation, slope and potential obstructions can all affect the performance of a skylight. Solatube’s premium dealers can guide homeowners on the optimal placement to ensure maximum natural light without compromising energy efficiency.

Quality of Materials and Professional Installation

As skylights are exposed to natural elements, it is important to invest in high-quality, energy-efficient skylights to ensure long-term sustainability and benefits. Professional installation also prevents leaks or inefficiencies as the seal is correctly installed, helping homeowners save money in the long run.

So, are skylights worth it? If you’re looking for the best daylighting solution, Solatube’s tubular skylights are the superior choice. They provide maximum natural light with minimal energy loss, outperforming traditional skylights in both efficiency and durability.

To discover the best Solatube skylight for your home, reach out to our professionals who can guide you through skylight cost, product options and installation details so you can enjoy a brighter, more energy-efficient home.