Should Window Skylights be Closed on Hot Sunny Days?
By Mark J. Donovan
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Question: Hi Mark, should the skylight window be closed during day time in a hot summer day? I was told the hot air will come through the skylight window in the summer time, is that true? Can the skylight window act as a vent in the attic. Thanks, S.M.
Answer: S.M, skylights can be a blessing and a curse, particularly if you own a low quality window skylight. Window skylights are ideal for letting in sunshine to brighten up a dark finished attic space or a north facing room. Venting window skylights also allow fresh air to enter the home and to help expel hot air during hot summer months. |
However, older window skylights and low cost ones, frequently lack window technology and features that provide good hot and cold insulating properties.
| If you have a venting window skylight, which sounds like your case, then you should open it up on hot sunny days. One of the major benefits of a venting skylight is the fact that when open it can create an updraft to vent out the hot air in the home.
A venting skylight works similarly to a chimney. As the warm air rises in the home, the venting window skylight allows the hot air to escape. In the process, it allows cooler air near the ground level to enter through the lower level windows of the home. |
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While venting out hot air via the skylights and drawing in cooler air via the lower level windows, improved air circulation is created within the home.
Venting window skylights are available that can be opened manually or by a remote control wall switch.
| There are even high end venting window skylights that can be automatically opened or closed via thermostat control. If you had a fixed window skylight, you may want to consider purchasing a shade or sun screen for it, for those hot sunny days. In addition, there are also window film coatings and finishes you can purchase and install on the skylight window glass to reduce the amount of sunlight that shines through the skylight.When buying a skylight, besides considering a venting window skylight type, also make sure to look for double-glazed skylights with low emittance (a.k.a. Low-E) coatings and Argon gas fillings. These types of window skylight features will help to better insulate the home against heat and cold as they improve the insulating efficiency of the skylight. |
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Related Information
- How to Install a Bathroom Window
- How to Replace an Old Window
- A Guide to Buying Window Sash Replacement Kits
Additional Window Installation and Maintenance Resources from Amazon.com
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