So, you’ve decided to install a skylight in your home or business. This is great! You are ready to enjoy all of the benefits that come with a skylight- natural light, boosted moods, and lower energy costs. Now that you have decided to install a skylight, you’re ready to move on to the next step in the process, picking a style.
There are so many styles to choose from. Flat, domed, pyramid, single panel, and so on, are all possible options for your home or business. Two popular choices among consumers are flat and dome skylights. We went ahead and broke down the highlights for both types!
Dome
Dome skylights are an eye-catching way to incorporate natural light in a room. These curved skylights were a huge trend back in the day, and are still fairly popular today.
More Light
The main reason people invest in skylights is to add more natural light to their home or business. Dome skylights typically add more light to a room compared to flat skylights. The curvature in the dome’s design allows it to bend the light from the sun and add just a little extra light to the room.
Weather-Durable
One thing that can put a damper on your mood is to watch your skylight fill up with rain or snow. Dome skylights don’t have this issue. The curve of the design allows for rain and snow to easily slide off of your skylight. This ensures that, no matter the weather outside, you can enjoy clarity through your skylight.
Extra Options for Efficiency
One of the great things about dome skylights is the option to make them even more energy efficient. Typically, dome skylights are made from acrylic. Acrylic is long-lasting and durable, but also more lightweight than glass.
If you choose an acrylic skylight, you have the option to have it ‘double’ or ‘triple’ layered. The layers refer to how many layers of acrylic you want on your dome skylight. A double layer is typical, but a third layer adds extra insulation, making it more energy efficient.
Flat
While dome skylights were a big hit about twenty years ago, flat skylights have become increasingly popular in recent times. The design of a flat skylight allows it to easily align with your roof, giving it a seamless flow. Flat skylights add more of a modern feel to a home or business, all while offering practically the same benefits of a dome skylight.
Choices of Material
One of the biggest advantages of a flat skylight is having the option between glass or acrylic as your material. While acrylic is extremely durable, and has the option for additional layering, glass is extremely energy efficient. Unlike acrylic, glass units can be completely sealed, and are therefore more effective at keeping the heat in during the winter, and keeping the heat out during the summer.
It is important to speak with a professional before deciding on the type of skylight you would like. There are many other factors that play into your skylight options, like the type of roof you have. The pros at Aluplex can help guide you through your questions and lead you to the perfect skylight!
