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by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers
If you work from home, you know how important it is to have a functional office space. A proper desk and an ergonomic chair are a great start, but there’s so much more to design! Having proper lighting can help you focus, and natural daylight has added uplifting and energizing benefits that make it ideal for productivity. Be sure to consider all the ways skylights can enhance your office!
Effective Natural Lighting
The main function of a skylight is to open an aperture and let sunlight down through the roof. Given their size and position on the ceiling, they’re much more effective than overhead electric lighting and windows when it comes to brightening the whole space. You don’t have to worry about balancing ambient and task lights, because a well-placed skylight can do it all.
Perhaps you’re worried about sunlight being too intense in certain seasons or parts of the day? That’s what skylight shades are for! They come in room-darkening and light-filtering varieties, so you can tailor your skylights to your needs. Most people choose light-filtering shades for the office, because even when fully deployed, they only diffuse light and still fill the room. They allow you to reap the benefits of skylights even when you might be concerned about glare on your computer screen. And you can select a shade color that fits with the rest of your design scheme!
Refreshing Ventilation
Fixed skylights might seem standard, but you should really look into ones that open and close. Why? Again due to their position up high, skylights are exceptionally effective at venting warm, stale air that rises up. That can help keep you comfortable and clear-minded while you work, of course! Between the strain of a long workday and the heat generated by computers, lowering the temperature by a few degrees can make a huge difference.
Skylights that open come in three types—manual, electric, and solar powered. Manually operated models are usually installed within reach so you can open and close them at will, but you can also install them out of reach and use a rod to operate them. Electric skylights need to be wired into your house, but then you can use a remote to control them. Solar-powered skylights also have remote control and install wirelessly because they have their own integrated solar panels and batteries. It’s a good idea to invest in either type of powered skylight, because they include rain sensors and will close automatically when the weather turns.
Flexible Installation
There are a variety of different skylight types available, and they’re easier to install than many people think—even in existing homes! Don’t worry if you don’t have a sloped ceiling, because you can create a light well from the roof down to the flat ceiling inside. Perhaps you don’t want such a large modification? Sun Tunnel® skylights are much smaller but still brighten effectively. They can also work around obstructions in the attic and install in just a couple hours, so they’re a relatively simple project that makes a big impact! Even if you think skylights aren’t compatible with your house, it’s worth a call to a professional to make sure.
No matter what sort of skylight is best for your office or anywhere else in your home, VELUX® has wonderful options for your consideration! Their catalog includes the full gamut—everything from traditional to flat roof skylights, to compact Sun Tunnel® skylights, to roof windows ideal for loft renovations. Find a local installer today and discuss the best solution for your home!