Renovating
Architecture: Why Choose Skylights?
Drench your home in natural light and weave in some roof-side creativity, too, with a stylish and super-useful skylight
Windows do not only belong in walls. Sloping roofs and simple ceilings can also be home to them, with skylights giving a view over the sky and trees outside. Once, standard outward opening windows used in simple loft spaces were the typical skylight design, but today, we are glazing our fifth wall with real flair, installing raised windows, panels and whole roof sections in glass, for homes bathed in light and boasting the wow factor. So send your eyes to the skies and be inspired by this gorgeous collection.
Run along the roof
Skylights running right along the highest point of this roof flood this open-plan kitchen and dining space with light and leave the walls free for cabinets and shelving.
Browse a selection of skylights
Skylights running right along the highest point of this roof flood this open-plan kitchen and dining space with light and leave the walls free for cabinets and shelving.
Browse a selection of skylights
Bathe in starlight
A skylight draws extra light into a bathroom without compromising privacy. Here, a window in the wall is complemented by a large skylight fitted into the deep roof. At night, you can stare at the stars while soaking.
A skylight draws extra light into a bathroom without compromising privacy. Here, a window in the wall is complemented by a large skylight fitted into the deep roof. At night, you can stare at the stars while soaking.
Follow the line
A strip of skylights forming a narrow glass roof follows the long line of this hallway. It looks wonderful, and helps illuminate this enclosed space with natural light.
A strip of skylights forming a narrow glass roof follows the long line of this hallway. It looks wonderful, and helps illuminate this enclosed space with natural light.
Fit them outdoors
Skylights don’t just benefit the inside of your home. If you are lucky enough to have a deep patio or terrace that is overhung by a roof, think about building skylights into the design. These will create snapshots of the sky above and maximise the sense of being outdoors, while still sitting under the protection of a porch.
Skylights don’t just benefit the inside of your home. If you are lucky enough to have a deep patio or terrace that is overhung by a roof, think about building skylights into the design. These will create snapshots of the sky above and maximise the sense of being outdoors, while still sitting under the protection of a porch.
Add for light and height
In addition to pulling masses of natural light into this family room, the raised skylight also adds height to the space. It makes the room seem bigger and, despite having only one other window, prevents it feeling claustrophobic or dark.
In addition to pulling masses of natural light into this family room, the raised skylight also adds height to the space. It makes the room seem bigger and, despite having only one other window, prevents it feeling claustrophobic or dark.
Team square with skinny
Skylights obviously perform a functional role, by letting light into a room, but they can also be installed for mainly aesthetic reasons. This narrow skylight does little to boost light levels, which are already well taken care of by the window and larger skylight, but it adds a nice design detail to the ceiling and softly illuminates the shelving below.
Skylights obviously perform a functional role, by letting light into a room, but they can also be installed for mainly aesthetic reasons. This narrow skylight does little to boost light levels, which are already well taken care of by the window and larger skylight, but it adds a nice design detail to the ceiling and softly illuminates the shelving below.
Think practically
Although skylights typically serve to simply boost overall light levels, when positioned above a work surface, they have a more specific, practical role. This lofty design sends natural light down onto the kitchen island below, helping to illuminate kitchen tasks.
Although skylights typically serve to simply boost overall light levels, when positioned above a work surface, they have a more specific, practical role. This lofty design sends natural light down onto the kitchen island below, helping to illuminate kitchen tasks.
Go for giant glazing
A single storey extension lends itself to generous glazing, both in the rear wall and the roof. This dramatic living space is encased in glass at the back and overhead, creating a huge sense of space – the garden and sky feel like part of the room – and making the black walls look positively bright!
Learn what you need to consider when planning a rear extension
A single storey extension lends itself to generous glazing, both in the rear wall and the roof. This dramatic living space is encased in glass at the back and overhead, creating a huge sense of space – the garden and sky feel like part of the room – and making the black walls look positively bright!
Learn what you need to consider when planning a rear extension
Select a shape
Skylights don’t have to be rectangular. This hexagonal design looks far more dynamic than a simple glass panel and captures sunlight at any hour of the day, thanks to its fully protruding position.
TELL US…
Do you have a skylight at home? What do you like about it? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Skylights don’t have to be rectangular. This hexagonal design looks far more dynamic than a simple glass panel and captures sunlight at any hour of the day, thanks to its fully protruding position.
TELL US…
Do you have a skylight at home? What do you like about it? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A trio of slanting skylights give views over the tall trees that grow outside this house. By keeping the walls neutral but panelling the ceiling with thin strips of timber that beautifully encase these simple skylights, the area from eye level upwards becomes a real design statement.