Manual openers are definitely underrated. I remember when we first moved into our loft apartment—ceilings were crazy high, and I was skeptical about the whole pole thing at first. But honestly, after a week or two, it became second nature. Plus, like you said:
"zero battery anxiety"
Can't beat that peace of mind. Wired motors are nice, sure, but sometimes simpler really is better... fewer things to break down or fuss over in the long run.
We went manual too when we moved into our townhouse, and honestly, it surprised me how quickly we got used to it. At first, I worried it'd be a hassle (especially with the skylight in the stairwell), but it's actually kind of satisfying now—like watering plants or something. Plus, like you mentioned, fewer parts means fewer headaches down the line. Simplicity really does have its perks... and it's nice not having another remote to keep track of.
Manual skylights definitely have their place—especially if they're within reach. But for really high or awkward spots, I usually recommend a simple pole crank. No electronics to fail, and still pretty straightforward... beats dragging out the ladder every time.
I've got one of those pole cranks myself, and yeah, it's definitely better than hauling out the ladder every weekend. But honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm jousting with my ceiling—especially when the crank slips off mid-turn and nearly takes out a lamp or something. 😂
Speaking of awkward window placements, anyone ever tried those solar-powered skylights? I know electronics can fail, but the idea of a skylight that closes itself when it rains sounds pretty tempting. Just wondering if they're actually reliable or if it's just another fancy gadget that'll break down after a year or two...
I've looked into those solar-powered skylights myself, and while the idea sounds great on paper, I'm still a bit skeptical. A buddy of mine installed two of them about three years ago, and at first, he couldn't stop raving about how convenient they were—especially that auto-close feature when it rains. But fast-forward to last summer, and one of them started acting up. It would randomly close on sunny days or stay open during a drizzle. Turns out the sensor got dirty or something, and he had to climb up there anyway to clean it off.
Don't get me wrong, they're handy when they work, but it's another moving part that can fail. If you're comfortable with occasional maintenance and troubleshooting, it might be worth it. Personally, I'd rather stick with something simpler—less tech usually means fewer headaches down the line.
I've had similar experiences with automated skylights, and while they're convenient, I agree they can be finicky. If you're living way up high and maintenance is a hassle, I'd suggest going with a simpler hinged skylight with a manual crank or pole. Less can go wrong, and even if something does, it's usually straightforward to fix. Plus, no sensors or electronics to worry about—just open when you want fresh air and close when you're done.
We went with manual skylights too, after our automated ones decided to randomly open during a rainstorm—talk about a midnight scramble with buckets and towels everywhere, haha. But I do miss the convenience sometimes, especially when I'm feeling lazy. Have you ever tried those telescoping poles for manual skylights? Wondering if they're sturdy enough or just another thing that'll break eventually...
"Have you ever tried those telescoping poles for manual skylights? Wondering if they're sturdy enough or just another thing that'll break eventually..."
We got one of those telescoping poles about a year ago, and honestly, it's held up pretty well so far. It feels sturdy enough, but I do wonder how it'll handle long-term use—especially since we have to extend it fully to reach our highest skylight. Has anyone found a good storage solution for these poles? Ours is always awkwardly leaning in a corner...
We have one too, going on two years now. It's held up fine, even with regular use. For storage, we ended up installing a couple of simple wall hooks in the laundry room—keeps it out of the way and easy to grab. Before that, ours was always tipping over or getting knocked around... definitely recommend getting it off the floor if you can spare the wall space.
"definitely recommend getting it off the floor if you can spare the wall space."
That's a practical solution. As a first-time homeowner myself, I've found wall-mounted storage to be invaluable for keeping things organized and safe, especially in smaller spaces. Another option I've seen is installing a narrow shelf above doorways or higher up on walls—often overlooked spaces that can be surprisingly useful. Might be worth considering if wall hooks aren't quite enough or if you're tight on accessible wall space...