The Complete Guide to Kitchen Skylights

Kitchen skylights can make a dramatic difference in the feel and function of your cooking space. These overhead windows flood your kitchen with natural light, instantly making the room brighter and more uplifting. If you're looking to remodel your kitchen or improve its existing design, installing a skylight is one upgrade you don't want to overlook.

You'll learn skylight types, smart placement tips, installation considerations, and see beautiful before-and-after transformations. Let's shed some light on how to make the most of skylights in your kitchen remodel!

What are Kitchen Skylights?

Skylights are specialized windows installed in ceilings or roofs that allow natural daylight to enter a space from above. Unlike vertical windows on walls, skylights are angled overhead to capture sunlight and sky glow.

In a kitchen, skylights serve as both ambient and task lighting. The soft, diffuse light brightens up the whole kitchen, while also providing direct illumination on key work areas like countertops and sinks. Skylights can be used alone or paired with other light sources as part of a kitchen's overall lighting design.

Benefits of Installing Skylights in Your Kitchen

There are many great reasons to consider adding skylights during your next kitchen remodel:

• Allows abundant natural light to fill the kitchen
• Makes the space feel more open, airy, and spacious
• Creates a bright, cheerful environment
• Provides focused task lighting on kitchen countertops
• Can reduce energy costs from artificial lighting
• Improves ventilation and humidity control

By illuminated your kitchen with free natural daylight, skylights create a welcoming ambiance while also saving on electricity. Skylights can make small, dark kitchens feel more spacious and inviting. Many homeowners love the unique architectural interest skylights add as well.

Skylight Types for Kitchens

There are several options when selecting the right skylight product for your kitchen remodel:

Fixed Skylights

Fixed skylights are non-opening panels made of glass or plastic. They come in sleek aerodynamic shapes to deflect wind and rain. Fixed units provide abundant natural light but don't offer ventilation.

Venting Skylights

As the name implies, venting skylights can open to circulate fresh air. Vents are manually operated or powered. Vents allow humidity, grease, and odors to escape from the kitchen.

Tubular Skylights

Tubular skylights collect light through a roof-mounted dome with a reflective tube that carries sunlight down into the interior space. Great for smaller kitchens.

The choice between glass or plastic domes depends on your budget and needs. Plastic is cheaper but less durable while glass costs more upfront yet outlasts plastic.

Choosing the Right Skylight Size and Location

Your kitchen's size, layout, and sunlight exposure should all factor into selecting the perfect skylight size and installation location:

• Take measurements of your current kitchen space.
• Note the direction your roof faces to estimate sunlight availability.
• Allow proper ventilation around skylight location.
• Account for ceiling height and roofline when sizing the skylight.
• Common placement over a sink, island, or food prep area.

An expert can help determine optimal skylight specifications for your kitchen and roof. But doing some prep work yourself will help the process go smoothly.

Skylight Installation Process

While skylights are relatively straightforward, it's best to hire a professional installer to handle the details of cutting into your roof:

• A contractor will cut the hole in your roof with care taken to waterproofing.
• Flashing around the skylight prevents leaks.
• Framing creates a finished interior light shaft.
• Diffuser panels soften sunlight if needed.

Reputable skylight companies will ensure the installation is watertight and energy efficient according to local building codes. Then you can enjoy the benefits for years to come.

Design Ideas for Kitchen Skylights

From modern to traditional, skylights can complement any kitchen decor. Here are some creative ideas:

• Pair skylights with pendant or recessed lights for a balance of natural and artificial light.
• Experiment with sunlight patterns using multiple diffuser panels or prisms.
• Use the skylight as a unique architectural focal point.
• Extend the daylight with mirrored tubes or reflective surfaces.

With smart lighting strategies, your kitchen skylight can become a decorative element that contributes to an airy, inviting ambiance.

Costs of Installing Kitchen Skylights

Kitchen skylight costs vary based on product selections and roofing factors, but often fall within these ranges:

• Plastic dome skylight - $200 to $800
• Glass dome skylight - $800 to $2,000
• Flat glass skylight - $1,500 to $5,000
• Tubular skylight - $300 to $1,500
• Installation costs - $200 to $2,000

While not cheap, skylights provide excellent return on investment through energy savings and added resale value. Investing in the right skylight for your kitchen can pay off for years to come through added beauty and reduced utility bills.

Maintaining and Cleaning Skylights

With proper care, a kitchen skylight will provide lasting performance:

• Inspect sealants and flashings periodically to prevent leaks.
• Clean glass only when completely dry using soft cloths.
• Make minor repairs quickly to prevent bigger issues.
• Know when to call a pro - don't risk roof damage or injuries.

By keeping your skylight in good shape, you'll continue enjoying all the natural light and zero upkeep of this exceptional kitchen upgrade for decades.

Kitchen Skylight Transformations

Seeing is believing when it comes to the dramatic improvements skylights create in formerly dark kitchens. Here are some incredible before-and-after photos of kitchen skylight projects:

[insert photos showing kitchen remodels with skylights]

Whether opened up a cramped galley kitchen or flooding a previously dim space with sunlight, these kitchen skylight makeovers are stunning. The generous natural light and architectural detail totally transforms these cooking spaces.

As this guide has shown, skylights are an extremely beneficial upgrade in any kitchen renovation or remodeling project. The ample natural light, energy efficiency, and design appeal are compelling reasons to invest in a skylight.

Just be sure to pick the right skylight type and size for your specific kitchen layout and roof. With professional installation, you'll enjoy a brighter, more inviting kitchen for decades to come thanks to the addition of an overhead window to the sky.