Skylight Design Question

4 years ago

We are considering the design of a skylight in our upstairs sitting area. The sitting area is approx. 9ftx15ft and is adjacent to an open to below family room. The ceiling is 9ft tall and the depth of the ceiling to the skylight is 7ft. We are debating several options:
A.
- 2ft x 6ft skylight
- 2ft x 10ft openong with 2ft flare on the short side
The skylight in the first picture is 2ft x 4ft but we would upsize. This would fit in between the trusses and would require no truss modification to save cost. We are concerned the skylight will look too narrow considering the roof is 7ft deep.
B.
- 2ft x 6ft skylight
- 4ft x 10ft opening with 2ft flare on all sides.
This is shown in the 2nd picture. We would need to redesign the trusses with an added cost around $1,000. This would allow more light in.
C.
-4ft x 4ft skylight
-6ft x 10ft opening with flares as seen in the third picture.
We think this might look too large in relation to the sitting area, but like the look of a square light.

2ft x 6ft, flares on long side (no added cost)

2ft x 6ft, flares on all sides

4ft x 4ft, flares on all side

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
4 years ago
What does the designer of the house recommend?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
Don't fool with the trusses please.
Related Professionals
Hilton Head Island General Contractors · Jackson General Contractors · Akron General Contractors · Poughkeepsie Interior Designers & Decorators · Winston-Salem Architects & Building Designers · Panama City Design-Build Firms · Taunton Design-Build Firms · Lagrange Design-Build Firms · Garden City Home Builders · Logan Home Builders · Houma Design-Build Firms · Philadelphia General Contractors · Marinette General Contractors · Augusta Flooring Contractors · Durango Flooring Contractors
res2architect
4 years ago
The situation is unclear.

You speak of the design as if it had already been built but show construction drawings. Is this new construction or a renovation?

If rafters will be used instead of trusses, why not raise the entire ceiling in that area?
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
4 years ago
Is there a functional purpose for the skylight?

Will it look odd to stand in the first floor space without a skylight to a second floor space with a skylight?
shari_s_liu
Original Author
4 years ago
The skylight is a nice to have to increase natural light in the sitting area. This is a new construction and the picture of the 4x4 is a skylight we have seen in a finished house that we liked. We are debating between a long skylight and a square skylight and whether it is worth the extra cost to increase the size of the skylight which will need adjustments to the trusses. The designer included a basic skylight in the initial draft.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
4 years ago
The larger the skylight, the more light it will let in.

The wider the flare, the greater the light distribution.

The larger the skylight the wider the flare, the less money left to buy wine.
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Lucky you, seriously. I love this topic.

Ceiling sky upstairs doesn't matter, unless your house is very ornate and such - is it?

Solatubes - OptiView diffuser, you can see the sky through the diffuser.

Daylight Dimmer is solar-powered and you can dim about 95% of the light.

1. Squamish residence 1 · More Info
everdebz
4 years ago
?

Passive HEAT by two story north-facing void that allows SUN DEEP into house [heating thermal mass concrete floor]. COOL- by windows located to catch breezes cooled by the courtyard plants and pond/ STACK EFFECT’s HEAT REMOVAL with two story void -- passive solar design provides abundant warmth in winter and captures cooling breezes during summer.
Green House, North Carlton · More Info
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I can delete -

Solatube invented the light tunnel concept and has 2 very important differences: 1) The "bowl" on top has a patented prism system much like a lighthouse prism - prevents noon heat from entering / other solar tubes have a glass bowl, so morning sun light is not being directed down the tunnel. 2) Solatube has a patented film on the inside of their tube that can bounce light even around corners, delivering (3rd party testing) 97% of the natural light into the room whereas all the others average only 45% to 55%.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/453951/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-solatube-vs-velux-solar-tubes#25236901