Skylight Solutions for Flat Roofs

by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for Direct from the Designers

When most people think of skylights, they imagine voluminous rooms with vaulted ceilings. Why? Because this popular application effectively brightens the whole space below and really highlights the architectural structure of the house. But that doesn’t mean that skylights only work for slanted rooflines! There are also plenty of options for low-pitched and flat roofs that allow you to invite natural light inside and improve the feel of your interior. Consider your home and lighting goals and see if any of these flat roof skylights are the solution you’ve been looking for!

Fixed Flat Roof Skylights

What many would consider the standard option, fixed skylights find themselves incorporated into homes with flat roofs fairly often. They work well with high and standard ceilings and can be deck- or curb-mounted, depending on the product and the specifics of your roof. Deck-mounted skylights are installed directly into the roof deck and offer a lower profile look from the outside while curb-mounted skylights need an additional wood frame that raises the skylights above the level of the roof and makes them more prominent. Whichever installation route you go, you’ll enjoy the same basic skylight appearance from inside.

There isn’t just one type of fixed flat roof skylight, so make sure to consider your options. Flat, curved, and domed skylights all have their perks and fans. A flat skylight has a level plane like a picture window, but it’s made to be horizontally oriented and features multiple layers of protection to keep water out. Curved skylights have an arc to the glass that helps them shed water more efficiently, and the curve allows them to catch sunlight from more angles than their flat counterparts, so they are especially suited to flat roofs where the position of the sun greatly affects the brightening potential of skylights. Durable acrylic or polycarbonate domed skylights take this a step further with curves around all the edges, which gives them a bubble-like shape to capture light from all sides. Some people prefer low-profile flat skylights while others would rather optimize lighting with a higher-profile curve/dome—it’s all a matter of taste and goals.

Roof Access Flat Roof Skylights

While skylights’ primary function is to allow daylight to shine down inside, that’s not all they can do. Skylights that open to help refresh the air inside have been growing in popularity over the years. They are particularly suited to high vaulted ceilings and pitched roofs—because warm air rises and can be passively released by opening a section of roof above—but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit with a flat roof skylight. Just make sure you have a way to reach the skylight to open and close it! Operable flat roof skylights actually have an advantage over their pitched roof counterparts because you can use them to access the roof. This makes it easier to check on your roof’s drainage, remove debris after storms, service a rooftop AC unit, etc. If you don’t want to climb up a ladder against an exterior wall, a roof access skylight will be a great asset.

Sun Tunnel® Skylights for Flat Roofs

No matter the style of your roof and ceiling, Sun Tunnel® Skylights are up to the task. These smaller skylights are quick and easy to install, and they make an outsized impact! They’re comprised of three main parts—the dome that takes in light up top, the reflective tunnel that bridges the gap between the roof and interior, and the diffuser that shines it down inside. Sun Tunnel® Skylights for flat roofs feature curb-mounted installation to raise the dome over the roof level and a rigid tunnel that effectively channels light through insulation and joists and into the room below. They look like recessed lighting at first glance, but they fill space with soft, uplifting natural light and use no electricity. It’s a win-win!

Check out VELUX® if you’re looking for skylights to complete your home! They offer a wide range of products for all kinds of roofs, so you’ll find wonderful options for every kind of structure. If you’re not sure where to start, schedule a free consultation with a skylight expert to answer your questions and make recommendations. With their help, you can add skylights to any home with confidence!