Are you contemplating installing a skylight for lighting and ventilation, but not sure if they’re worth the investment? In this guide, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of each option, installation considerations for Australian homes, and what may be right for you.
Skylights and traditional windows offer different benefits depending on the space, home design, and how they function in your home or commercial space. If you’re looking for guidance, Roofing Options provides expert advice and premium skylight products, including Velux skylights, which are perfect for our unique Aussie climate.
So, should you buy a skylight or a new window? Let’s explore.
What Are Skylights? How Do They Compare to Windows?
Skylights are glazed openings installed in the roof (either pitched or flat) to bring in natural light from above. Unlike vertical windows, which provide side lighting, skylights evenly distribute daylight throughout a room, especially in areas where external walls aren’t accessible.
Windows, on the other hand, are vertical openings installed in walls. They allow for light and outdoor views and can be operable for ventilation.
While windows are more common in Australian homes, skylights are popular in renovations and modern builds for their light-maximising benefits. There is definitely a lot you can add to your kitchen spaces, for example.
According to Your Home, skylights and roof windows can be a major source of unwanted heat gain in the summer, as well as heat loss during winter. However, there are many shapes for sloping or flat roofs and can take the form of glazed areas constructed on-site, such as an atrium or sunroom.
Why are roof windows and skylights so important to have? They can admit more than 3 times as much light as a vertical window of the same size, helping spaces to be hit with natural light with little (or no) artificial lighting required.
How can you achieve good roof windows and skylights? There are many ways you can deliver enough daylight:
- How often does your location experience overcast as opposed to sunny weather
- The levels of pollution and haze
- The roof aspect
- How much shading you have from trees or other features
- The position and path of the sun in your location
As for roof windows, they are simply set into the roof of a home and are usually combined with light wells or shafts in homes that have flat ceilings. The majority of roof windows have sealed double glazing to prevent heat losses and condensation, and are often openable.
With vertical windows, roof window frames come in different materials (aluminium, steel, or uPVC) and have a major impact on thermal performance. Uninsulated metal frames cause condensation during cool weather and lose heat from outside through conduction.
How should they be placed and spaced?
Instead of vertical windows, skylights and roof windows shine light from above, and the top lighting increases the potential for uniform lighting being distributed. A 3-5% floor-to-skylight ratio is usually used.
The distance between skylights should be around 1.5 times the height between the floor and the roofing and is even more critical in larger spaces.
The National Construction Code states that if skylights are considered combustible, the aggregate area of the skylights should not go over 20% of the roof or part of the roof. For bushfire-prone areas, they need to comply with Australian Standard AS 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. A product must be tested or demonstrated it complies with the BAL requirements of your property.
Why is it so important to choose the right window or skylight?
Like with any installation in your home, it’s a good idea to think about:
- Room function (Is it a bathroom, kitchen, hallway, or living space?)
- What does the access to external walls look like?
- Heat management (this is important in Australia’s hot summers)
- Privacy (skylights are ideal for letting in light without worrying about privacy)
- Energy efficiency (natural light cuts back the need for artificial lighting)
Making the right choice can improve your comfort, reduce energy costs, and increase your property’s value. Thankfully, Roofing Options have a range of skylights!
Why Should You Install Skylights?
There are many reasons to invest in skylights for your residential or commercial property.
You’ll experience more natural lighting
Skylights provide top-down natural light, which is more efficient than horizontal light from windows. It helps brighten up dark or central parts of the house where traditional windows can’t reach.
- Ideal for brightening up bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways.
- You won’t need to worry about artificial lighting during daylight hours.
- Helps improve mood and wellbeing, especially in winter months.
Your spaces will be better ventilated
Many modern skylights (such as Velux) have manual or electric venting options. This means you can open the skylight to let hot air escape in summer or when cooking.
- Stops mould build up in humid areas like bathrooms.
- Encourages cross-ventilation when used in conjunction with windows.
- Some Velux models include rain sensors, which automatically close when it starts raining.
They look beautiful on any property
Skylights can dramatically change how a room looks and feels:
- Creates a sense of space and openness.
- Adds architectural interest and a modern design element.
- Pairs well with minimalist-style interiors.
For high-impact design transformations, skylights are often featured in Australian renovation shows and magazines.
Use them in smaller spaces
Skylights are brilliant when:
- Wall space is limited or unavailable.
- You’re dealing with heritage buildings or apartment units where wall modifications aren’t possible.
- You need light in stairwells or loft spaces. Ever thought of putting one into a tiny home, such as a shipping container?
Are there disadvantages to skylights?
While skylights offer many benefits, they’re not perfect for every home.
More costly to install
You could be paying a bit more compared to traditional windows, skylights may involve:
- Structural alterations to the roof.
- Flashing and waterproofing to prevent leaks.
- Premium glazing materials for energy efficiency.
Installation by a qualified professional is essential to ensure durability and compliance with Australian building standards.
Potential heat loss or gain
Without the right materials, skylights can:
- Let in excessive heat in summer.
- It causes heat loss in winter.
- Create glare or UV damage to furnishings.
Choose high-performance glazing like Velux’s double-glazed skylights with Low-E coatings, which are designed for Australian conditions.
Complex installation process
Installing a skylight often requires:
- Cutting into the roof.
- Reinforcing structural supports.
- Ensuring waterproofing around the unit.
This adds labour time and cost, which is why it’s best handled by professionals.
Do you want to add more natural lighting to your property? Have a read of how to maximise natural light in your workspace with Ampelite fibreglass!
What Are The Advantages of Installing Windows?
There are a few reasons you may want to install a new window instead of skylights.
They are cost effective
Quite often, window installation:
- Requires fewer structural changes.
- Involves less labour compared to cutting into a roof.
- Offers more affordable material options.
That said, custom window designs or oversized panes can still be pricey. Always weigh up what is best for you.
Flexible design options
Windows come in many styles, such as:
- Awning
- Casement
- Sliding
- Double-hung
- Bay or picture windows
This range means you can match window style to your home’s architectural style and budget.
Are there any reasons to not buy windows instead of skylights?
They might not be suitable for high or tight spaces
In areas like stairwells or ensuites, adding a window may:
- Not structurally feasible.
- Compromise privacy (such as facing a neighbour’s home).
- Fail to bring light deep into the space.
They might need structure adjustments
For brick veneer or double-brick homes in Australia, installing or enlarging windows may:
- Involve structural beams or headers.
- Require council approvals in certain cases.
- Increase overall renovation costs.
Cost Considerations: Skylight vs Window
Let’s take a look at the materials!
- Velux skylights start at a few hundred dollars but can go higher depending on size, manual vs. electric operation, and glazing.
- Standard aluminium or timber windows can be cheaper, but custom or double-glazed windows sometimes rival skylight costs.
What about installation costs?
- Skylights: These are more expensive due to roof alterations and waterproofing.
- Windows: Although a lot less invasive in new builds, it may be costly in renovations.
It is also a good call to consider how energy-efficient they are.
- A well-placed skylight slashes electricity bills by cutting down on lighting needs.
- Modern skylights (like Velux) offer thermally efficient glazing, helping you stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Windows contribute to passive heating and cooling but may be less effective in central or internal spaces.
Installation Considerations
What is your roof type and slope? Skylights aren’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your roof structure, you may need:
- Flashing kits for metal (such as Zincalume) or tiled roofs.
- Low-pitch models for flatter roof angles.
- Custom sizing for narrow rafters.
Velux skylights are engineered for both pitched and flat roofs, making them a flexible option across most Australian home styles.
Should you DIY them, or should a roofing contractor install them?
- Windows: Some window installations can be done by skilled DIYers, but speak to a roofing professional doing the job.
- Skylights: Typically require licensed roofing professionals to support waterproofing and compliance.
Roofing Options offers advice and installation guidance to help you choose the right Velux skylight and ensure it’s installed to meet building codes and warranty standards. What skylight options are available?
Velux Fixed Skylights
- White painted interior timber frame.
- Outer aluminium cappings (grey).
- Complete with flashing for corrugated iron or tile roofs.
- High-performance double glazing as standard with NEAT™ outer coating: reduces cleaning frequency.
- The smooth profile sits lower on the roof and does not obstruct the roofline.
- Available in 10 sizes.
Velux VCM Roof Fixed Skylight
- Laminated glass that will not fade nor discolour over time.
- The smooth exterior gives a lower profile on the roof.
- High-performance double glazing as standard with NEAT™ outer coating: reduces cleaning frequency.
- Approx 99% UV Block.
- Available in 11 sizes.
- Requires custom-made flashing (sold separately by Roofing Options Centre).
- Versatile positioning, most sizes can be used in portrait, landscape or even“diamond shape” orientation
Final Verdict: Skylights or Windows?
Choose skylights when:
- You want to brighten up dark internal rooms.
- Wall space is limited.
- You desire dramatic light and ventilation from above.
- You’re planning a modern renovation or upgrade.
Choose windows when:
- You want views and a visual connection to the outdoors.
- You’re working on a budget or simple installation.
- Wall space is readily available.
Ultimately, your choice of windows is up to you. Does it work with your property layout, is it a durable option, does it block UV rays, does it bring striking style to your home, and are you happy with the lighting it brings to your spaces? Weigh up what means a lot to you.
Velux fixed skylights are a budget-friendly solution to bathe your rooms in natural light and offer panoramic views of the sky. Roofing Options has non-opening, fixed skylights designed for both pitched and flat roofs, tailored to suit every architectural style.
Velux Skylights for Melbourne Properties: Call Roofing Options!
Fixed non-openable Skylights are the most economical way to transform rooms by letting in daylight and sky views. With models to suit both pitched and flat roofs, the VELUX range of fixed skylights means that you can live brighter!
Do you need Velux manual skylights, Velux solar powered skylights, Velux flat roof, or Velux pitched and tiled roof skylights? Whether you’re looking for reliable roofing supplies in Frankston, Carrum Downs, Cranbourne, Berwick, Dandenong, Officer, Clyde, Narre Warren, Langwarrin, or Endeavour Hills, Roofing Options is your best bet for steel roofing supplies in Melbourne.
Contact us today or visit our stores in Cranbourne, Coburg, or Campbellfield.
