Revealing the Latest Skylight Trends

When it comes to designing and building a home, nothing transforms a space more than natural lighting.  Luckily for homeowners, their skylight choices are endless. With the help of experienced architects, builders and remodelers, homeowners have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of skylights based on their needs and goals, including the following:

• Solar-powered venting skylights: Powered by a solar panel, these skylights can be opened via remote control or smartphone app to provide fresh air in addition to natural light. They’re ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, stairwells and living rooms.
• Electric-venting skylights: Wired into the home’s electrical system, these skylights open via remote control or smartphone app to bring in the fresh air.
• Manual venting skylights: Opened and closed with a telescoping rod, manual venting skylights provide natural light and fresh air to interiors. Recommended for bonus rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
• Fixed skylights: Provide a window through the roof to the sky for natural light in any room. They are ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and foyers.
• Tubular skylights: The most economical way to add natural light to a home. Tubular skylights include a lens installed on the roof that connects via a highly reflective tunnel to a fixture attached to the ceiling. They are ideal for hallways, small bathrooms, kitchens and walk-in closets.
• Large-span skylights: For homeowners wanting to create a glass ceiling look, large-span skylights can be constructed to span up to 10 feet and cover up to 35 square feet. They are available only as fixed skylights.
• Roof windows: Designed for attics where the roof window can be reached from the floor, these windows bring natural light and fresh air inside. Available in center pivot, top-hinged, roof access and balcony options, most roof windows supply a point of egress as required by fire code.

Photo Credit: VELUX Skylights 

With a robust skylight portfolio, we are also seeing trends homeowners are being influenced by in 2023. Here are the top 10 trends to keep in mind and incorporate when completing your client’s next project:

1. Outdoor covered spaces to bring “borrowed” light into living spaces which have covered areas.
2. Skylights with light control and energy improvement with shades.
3. Attention to ventilation and fresh air factors for homeowners who prioritize healthier living.
4. Enhanced use of solar technology for the operation of skylights and shades.
5. Usage of sun tunnel skylights in landlocked areas such as bathrooms, hallways and closets.
6. Black skylight and window frames are the hottest color choice on the market.
7. When given the choice, homeowners lean towards larger and grander skylights.
8. Homeowners have a larger preference for the inclusion of naturally lit closets and hallways.
9. Wood is now the predominant material used for framing and skylight execution.
10. Homeowners tend to prefer skylight additions in their attics, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor covered living spaces.

Photo Credit: VELUX Skylights 

It’s clear, skylights and natural lighting are a crucial design element that will inherently level up your next home build, design or remodel. Similarly, to previous years, current trends are helping to foresee new and upcoming design elements for years to come. Today more than ever, homeowners are paying closer attention to housing configurations that have an increased preference on skylight systems, roofing, solar and energy efficiency factors. With an expanded focus toward improving a homeowner’s skylight experience, we believe the current and predicted skylight trends will continue to remain strong through 2023 and beyond.

Photo Credit: VELUX Skylights