One of the most wonderful accents that an designer/builder can employ is the use of outside light let into the somber and dark interior of a building, punch it up with energy! I had predicted that I had a problem spot in the middle of my entry area of my new home.

Then I eliminated the vaulted ceiling fronted with a peak window at the front door, flattened the ceiling out so I could gain an attic platform onto which I could mount the air handler/indoor coil for the ductless heat system. It became even darker, drained of outside light.

I had asked from the original design conception, to have a pair of skylights over this center section of the new home. And continually I had been cautioned by all of the professionals this probably wouldn’t work because of the two different stacked roofs over my area in need of light. Well it was complicated, but we got it figured out!

Then this last week we got the roof covered with plywood, and walls sheet-ed, so that the remaining holes were where windows would be going. It became obvious that I had predicted the dark spot correctly. This home has extended overhangs to four feet, as opposed to 18 normal inch overhangs. This limits natural light even more.

Velux skylights to the rescue. This is a brand of skylight that I’ve used for 30 plus years. The technology contained in these marvelous pieces of equipment is simply superior to anything else available. The newest models are solar powered, with self-contained shades and rain sensors to close automatically during rain showers. One thing I appreciate about skylights is their ability to enhance natural cooling convection.