Natural light can significantly impact the look and feel of your home or workspace. It makes the inside of our homes brighter, lifts our spirits, and even helps us save money on our energy bills. A rooflight is one of the finest methods to let additional light into your home. But when it’s time to pick, a lot of people wonder: Should I choose a fixed rooflight or an opening rooflight?
Each decision has its pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on your space, needs, and lifestyle. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each option in this blog to help you choose the one that’s best for you.
What are rooflights, anyway?
Before we start comparing, let’s quickly go over what rooflights are.
Rooflights, which are also called skylights, are windows that are put on the top of a structure so that natural light can come in from above. They are especially helpful in places where regular vertical windows won’t work, including expansions, loft conversions, or rooms in the middle of the home.
There are two primary kinds:
1. Fixed Rooflights: These are glass panels that don’t open. They let in natural light and frame views of the sky.
2. Opening rooflights: They accomplish everything that fixed rooflights do, but they also have a big advantage: they open up to let air in.
So, how do you decide which one to use?
Fixed Rooflights:
Fixed rooflights are easy to use, stylish, and low-maintenance. Here are some of the pros and cons of fixed rooflights:
Pros:
- A lot of light, with little trouble: The only purpose of fixed rooflights is to allow light in. They are usually bigger and have fewer apparent frames or hardware, which makes them a popular choice for people who seek a modern, clean style.
- Cost Effective: Fixed rooflights are usually cheaper to buy and install than open ones since they have fewer moving components and mechanics.
- Little Upkeep: No engines, no hinges, and no hand cranks. That implies fewer things can go wrong. A fixed rooflight just performs its thing after it’s been put in place—quietly and reliably.
- Great for places that are hard to reach: If your rooflight will be hard to get to (such as above a high ceiling or a stairway), a fixed unit would be the better choice.
The Drawbacks:
1. No Ventilation—On hot days or in rooms that create moisture (such as kitchens and bathrooms), not having any airflow might be a problem.
2. Risk of Condensation: Some rooms may be more likely to get condensation build-up if they don’t have good ventilation, especially in the winter.
Opening Rooflight
Opening rooflights are a great option as they let light and fresh air come in. Here are some of the pros and cons of an opening rooflight:
Pros:
- Ventilation from nature: This is the most important one. If you can open your rooflight, you can let hot air out and fresh air in, which makes the space more comfortable, especially in the summer.
- Helps Keep Condensation Under Control: In kitchens and bathrooms, where steam and humidity can build up, opening rooflights are especially helpful. A little bit of airflow can go a long way toward keeping mould and dampness at bay.
- Makes the air cleaner: Opening a window to let in fresh air can change how a room feels a lot, especially in modern homes that are sealed up tight. Without using fans or extractors, it’s an easy approach to improve the air quality inside.
- Extra things you can add: You may add things like rain sensors (which close them automatically), electric motors, or remote controls to many opening rooflights to make them easier to use, even when they’re high up.
The Drawbacks:
1. Higher Cost—More features require a higher price. This can be something to think about if you don’t have a lot of money.
2. Maintenance: Parts that move need to be checked and fixed from time to time. Over time, electric opening rooflights may also need to be serviced.
3. Hardware that is a little more visible: Depending on the design, the opening mechanism could change the sleek aspect that some people prefer from a rooflight.
Which one works better where?
Let’s look at a few examples to see how fixed and opening rooflights compare.
- Adding on to the kitchen
The best option is an opening rooflight. Why? Kitchens are very hot and humid. An opening rooflight lets air circulate through and keeps the space from growing stuffy.
- Living Room or Lounge
The best choice is a fixed rooflight. Why? You get all the benefits of sunlight without having to worry about ventilation. In main living areas, fixed units often seem neater and can be the main focus of the design.
- A bathroom or wet room
Opening rooflight is better. Why? Here, ventilation is quite important. If you don’t have it, your mirrors will probably get hazy, your towels will get wet, and mould will grow.
- Hallway or stairwell
The best choice is a fixed rooflight. Why? These are usually hard-to-reach places where ventilation isn’t a major priority. Fixed units let in natural light and keep things simple.
- Bedroom in the Loft
The best option is an opening rooflight with blackout blinds. Why? Lofts tend to have hot air ascend, therefore bedrooms need to be ventilated. A rooflight that opens helps control the temperature and circulation.
What else should you think about when designing?
Here are a few extra things to think about, whether you choose fixed or opening:
1. Options for glazing: For insulation, choose double or triple glazing. If your room gets a lot of direct sunshine, think about solar control glass.
2. Frame Material: Aluminum is a popular choice because it is strong and thin. Wood makes everything feel warmer. UPVC is cheap.
3. Blinds and shades are very crucial for bedrooms and other places that get a lot of sun. Some rooflights even come with built-in shades.
4. Cleaning Access: Can you clean the glass from the inside, or do you need to get to the roof?
So, which one is best for you?
It depends on what you need the space for. A fixed rooflight can be the ideal choice if you want the most light, a clean style, and no maintenance. But if you want more airflow, comfort, and features, an opening rooflight is absolutely worth the money.
And don’t forget that you don’t have to pick just one type. Many homeowners use both fixed and opening rooflights in different parts of their homes, depending on what each room needs.
Final Thoughts
A rooflight is not merely a window. It can affect the way your place looks and works completely. It doesn’t matter if you choose a fixed or opening rooflight; the most essential thing is that it fits your way of life.
Take some time to think about what you need, and talk to a competent installer like Bowalker to get the right advice based on your home architect. After all, it’s not just about making a room brighter when natural light and fresh air come together correctly; it’s also about making your life better in that room.
