I've been thinking about ways to get more natural light into my living room without knocking down walls or anything drastic. Did some digging around and narrowed it down to either clerestory windows or skylights. I kinda like the idea of clerestory windows because they seem easier to maintain and less likely to leak (had a friend whose skylight leaked like crazy, total nightmare). But skylights seem like they'd bring in way more direct sunlight, especially midday.
Anyway, here's what I'm thinking step-by-step: first, figure out the sun's path over my house (there's apps for that apparently?), then decide placement based on that. Next, talk to a contractor about structural stuff—like if my roof can even handle a skylight or if clerestory windows would mess with insulation. After that, get some quotes and see what's doable budget-wise.
But honestly, I'm just winging it here. Anyone done something similar and have tips or maybe a better way to approach this?
"first, figure out the sun's path over my house (there's apps for that apparently?)"
Definitely agree with starting there—knowing the sun's path is key. I used one of those apps when we redid our kitchen windows, and it saved us from making a costly mistake. A couple quick thoughts from experience:
- Clerestory windows are great for diffused, consistent lighting without the harsh glare you sometimes get from skylights. Plus, they're usually easier to shade if needed.
- Skylights do bring in more direct sunlight, but yeah, leaks can be a real headache. If you go this route, don't skimp on quality or installation—trust me, learned that the hard way.
- Consider your climate too. Skylights can heat up a room fast in summer, which might bump up your AC bills.
- Also, think about cleaning and maintenance. Clerestory windows are usually simpler to access and clean compared to skylights.
Sounds like you're already on the right track with your step-by-step plan. Good luck with the project...it's worth the effort once you see how much brighter your space feels.
Those apps are honestly a lifesaver. I used one when we were deciding between skylights and clerestory windows for our living room. Thought skylights would be amazing until the app showed we'd basically be roasting in direct sun all afternoon. Ended up going clerestory and zero regrets—nice soft light, no leaks (yet, fingers crossed), and way easier to clean. You're definitely on the right track checking sun angles first...smart move.
I've used both skylights and clerestory windows in different reno projects, and honestly, skylights can be great...until they're not. The leak risk is real, and cleaning them is a pain. Clerestories give you more predictable lighting and fewer headaches overall. Good call checking the sun angles first though—wish I'd done that earlier myself.
Good points about the skylight leaks—been there, done that, got the soggy drywall to prove it. Clerestory windows are definitely lower-maintenance, plus you avoid the midday glare that skylights sometimes blast into your eyes. Worth factoring in if you're a TV watcher like me...
"Worth factoring in if you're a TV watcher like me..."
Haha, can totally relate—nothing worse than glare hitting right when the show's getting good. Clerestory windows are a solid choice; easier upkeep and more consistent lighting overall. Good luck with your project, sounds like you're on the right track.
"Clerestory windows are a solid choice; easier upkeep and more consistent lighting overall."
Good points there, especially about maintenance. Skylights can be great for dramatic lighting effects, but from an energy efficiency standpoint, clerestory windows usually have the edge. I've seen skylights cause some pretty significant heat gain issues in summer months—had a friend who installed them without proper shading or glazing, and their AC bills skyrocketed. Clerestory windows, on the other hand, can be strategically placed to maximize daylighting while minimizing unwanted heat transfer.
One thing I'm curious about though is how your home's orientation factors into your decision. Have you considered how the direction your windows face might impact glare and thermal comfort throughout the year? Orientation can make a huge difference in both lighting quality and energy performance...
Skylights can be great for dramatic lighting effects, but from an energy efficiency standpoint, clerestory windows usually have the edge. I've seen skylights cause some pretty significant heat gain...
Good points on orientation—it's definitely something people overlook. I've worked on homes where clerestory windows facing south brought in beautiful, even lighting year-round without harsh glare. But west-facing ones...well, let's just say afternoons got pretty intense. If you're stuck with less-than-ideal orientation, adding adjustable interior shades or exterior awnings can really help balance things out. It's a bit more upfront cost, but totally worth it for comfort and energy savings down the road.
Interesting points about the west-facing clerestories. I hadn't really thought about orientation until after we installed our skylights—big mistake there. We put two skylights in our kitchen, and while the natural light is fantastic most of the time, summer afternoons can feel like we're baking under a magnifying glass. We ended up installing some reflective film and shades, which helped a lot, but it was definitely an extra hassle (and expense) we didn't anticipate.
Now I'm curious if clerestory windows would've been easier to manage. Do they generally require less maintenance or adjustments compared to skylights? Seems like they'd be simpler since they're vertical, but maybe I'm missing something...