Brownstone Skylights
We’re considering putting in skylights on the top floor of our brownstone (built in 1851). We already have one in a bathroom upstairs and love it. My only hesitation is the additional amount of heat it might generate, as it already gets very hot on the top floor (we do have air conditioning to blast…
We’re considering putting in skylights on the top floor of our brownstone (built in 1851). We already have one in a bathroom upstairs and love it. My only hesitation is the additional amount of heat it might generate, as it already gets very hot on the top floor (we do have air conditioning to blast if we need to, but we try not to overuse it). Does anyone have experience / advice around this? I believe they have shades and tinted skylights. Would that make a noticeable difference? The skylight in the bathroom is not tinted or shaded and it can get quite hot in there.
I also prefer not to cut through any of the beams in the roof, so we’re going to work around that and we’ll also have an electrician helping to ensure the installers don’t mess up the wiring.
Are there any other issues around doing this work? It seems to me that often these days when people do renos (and in new construction), skylights are added.
Any insight is much appreciated.
DIBS, going for the modern flat full glass unit. I like the one in the picture, but I prefer having full glass (versus a glass that’s half-full).
Slope, that’s exactly what we have in the bathroom now. I’m not crazy about the screen, but I guess it’s necessary to keep out bugs and other pests (although I think my mother-in-law will still find a way to get in. Just kidding, Mrs C, if you’re reading this. I love you, honey).
On framing, I agree with Dave and HDL. I also agree with Slopey on the screens and the venting issue. I didn’t have the films, so I can’t speak to that issue, but I would definitely want to make sure that you don’t add anything that will cut down on the natural light.
Get one with a screen and that you can scroll open. Then you can actually let some hot air vent out of the top floor. That plus the film and it shouldn’t be too bad.
Thanks CGar. (Regarding the picture, that wasn’t meant to be an example of what I would get. I agree that the flat kind too)
Everything CGar said.
Are you going for the traditional look as you picured or a modern flat full glass unit?
Don’t worry about cutting beams as long as the carpenter will frame it competently.
If you like the size of the openning you have, I’m sure there are replacement skylights made that are more efficient and operable for ventilation. They would fit within a small tolerance and would not require reframing. Adding a film is a good alternative. They come in a variety of tint increments so you can balance the amount of brightness with the solar performance to acheive the result you want.
Biff, I think it’s a great idea and definitely think you should go for the skylights. When I gutted my upper duplex, I found 3 skylights that had been hidden under ceilings, and I uncovered them. My tenants loved them, and they looked great – really improved the top floor of my house. I also think it added to both the rental value and re-sale because it made a dark floor (as most all Brownstone floors are) much lighter.
As for skylights making it hotter, tenants never said they were more (or less) hot on the top floor after the skylights were added than they did before them. And they did not have ceiling fans, only window A/Cs and old-fashioned cross-ventilation.
As for the type of skylights, rather than the type pictured above (typically found over stairwells in Brownstones), I would go for the modern, flat skylights, which can be opened. I can’t imagine they will pose a landmarking issue since they will only be visible from the choppers buzzing overhead. Opening the skylights should also increase the air flow on the top floor, especially if the windows are also open for cross-ventilation.
I personally would not go for tinted skylights since they will defeat the purpose of making the top floor lighter. But, if available, I would go for the ones with blinds/shades built in between the panes – I seem to recall the blinds being operable electronically. Also I think the newer skylights can be opened and closed electronically.
Great info, HDL. It sounds like you’re happy with your decision. It’s a bit nerve-wracking to consider cutting into the roof, but it sounds like it’s not a big deal and at least in our case has been done already (before we bought) and we love the one we have.
I installed operable Velux skylights on the top floor over the stair and hallway. They’re double layer for insulation in the winter. I also have a heat issue in the summer so I used the bronze tint. They don’t provide as much bright sunlight but they give the stairway plenty of light.
I wouldn’t worry too much about cutting a few roof joists (I cut two). You’ll have to reframe and reinforce the openning and create a curb to rest the skylight on.
All in all it was the right choice for me.