Welcome to the world of skylights and roof windows, openings in a roof that are covered with translucent or transparent materials to let light into the interior. If you have permanent dark corners in your home, away from external walls or courtyards, this is the way to go.

Skylights come in many shapes, sizes and styles, with prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1000-$2000 for fully automatic units. Installation by a supplier should cost about $60-$80 per hour, but estimating total installation time and cost is difficult as every job is different. 

Generally, the skylight area should measure about 10 per cent of the floor area to be lit.

Roof windows (pictured above)

The name Velux has long been associated with quality roof windows. Velux units come in a range of sizes, with many variations and accessories, and are both skylights and windows, so they’re ideal for attic conversions. Like most roof lights, they can be installed in any ceiling and don’t look out of place in old, ornate homes.  

Dome lights

A dome light, such as Skydome, is the traditional solution to letting light in through the roof. It can be square, rectangular or round, and may incorporate ventilation and fans. Prices start at about $330 plus installation, making this option inexpensive – and the daylight is free! Units with a vent or a fan are good for bathrooms as they allow moist air to escape.

Reflective flexible tubes

While most domes are installed with a light well, you can also use a reflective flexible tube called Skyflex. Available in sizes up to 800 x 600mm, Skyflex is best suited to small dome lights and sheds more light than a standard tubular light. The cost of using the flexible tubing is about half as much as installing a light well, which can be a complex piece of carpentry with a price tag of up to $2000. At the bottom there’s a diffuser to hide the reflective tube.

Multiple roof windows can completely change a dull room. The installation features two fixed and one openable roof window. This set-up works well in a room with a low ceiling and only one window. Here, the whole area was lifted above roof level to form a light well.

Tubular lights

Often called Skytubes, tubular lights are great for getting light into small areas, such as hallways and walk-in robes, with minimal fuss and expense. Skytubes are the simplest roof lights to install (see over page), and are available as kits which include the dome, base and flashing, rigid or flexible tube and internal diffuser.

An attic used as a storeroom or a spare bedroom becomes very hot if it only has a fixed window. By installing an openable Velux system, you have air and extra light. The unit has insect screens and is double glazed to hold warmth in winter. This unit costs about $450, plus installation.

Note: You can only convert an attic into a habitable room if there is sufficient head height when the floor is installed.

Extra tips:

1. Whichever skylight or window you choose, it must be properly flashed in place to guard against leaks during heavy weather.

2. Dome lights with built-in ventilation (shown here, top removed) are indispensable in bathrooms as they allow the moist air to escape, while letting in plenty of light.

3. Skylights and windows have maximum exposure to hot summer sun, so during warm weather, shading with built-in blinds or venetians is an absolute must.