Skylight Shades

Windows in the ceiling

Skylights are windows in the ceiling which promote the passage of natural light during the day time. In cold regions, they are good for homes because they use the heat of the sun to offset some of the heating costs which can be very high. The classical skylight is essentially just a cut-out of the ceiling, assuming the ceiling is directly accessible to the roof. However, much like windows having some sort of outdoor window shades can help regulate excess incoming sunlight.

Regular window shades

Other windows in the house also have coverings to help reduce the light. For example, bamboo roll-up blinds cut down light before they enter the house, but also have a nice, sensible aesthetics suggestive of nature and the woods. Another example are the cellular shades that are made of pleated sheets and hold air which functions as extra insulation between the outside and inside. Outdoor window shades have the benefit of energy savings and as well as increased comfort for home inhabitants.

Natural light

The great benefit of the skylight is not just energy savings, but also the appeal of having natural light inside the home. Natural light has more wavelengths than artificial incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and can promote health. Even some UV exposure may be good for people who need Vitamin D. Because of the energy savings, skylights are a good choice even for the economically minded homeowner renovator.

Installation

The installation of a skylight is not a trivial job. Having the plans to your house may prove to be a great time saver in the long run. But most people will agree that having light streaming into your home with no recourse for switching it off can be disastrous. This is usually remedied by the addition of skylight shades. Skylight shades will usually be interior shades, rather than outdoor shades. This makes the subject somewhat special. However, skylights have the special distinction of being unusual windows that let in large amounts of outside light and therefore are included here.

Types of skylight shades

What kinds of skylight shades are available? The usual blinds, vertical and venetian blinds all apply. Like their window counterparts, these can be pulled open, or opened via rotation of the slats. Skylight shades can come in aluminum, bamboo, or vinyl materials depending on the cost threshhold and taste of each consumer. Because skylight shades will lie against the skylight glass, it cannot rely on gravity to hang and stay in form. Therefore, such shades are usually installed onto a track which guide the opening and closing of the blinds.

Cleaning

The one major inconvenience of skylight shades it that they are usually situated so high up that cleaning them becomes quite difficult. Most people who regularly clean know that blinds can gather a lot of dust. Skylight shades are no exception. To address this, part of the answer lies in the material of the skylight shades. Some are able to repel dust much more effectively than others. Not only is the dust repelling power of the fabric important, but also how much light is permissible even during times the blinds or shades are closed. As with solar shades, skylight shades can be made of a fabric which lets in a lot of visible light yet is great at insulating.