Nature and the life of man revolve around the light of the sun. Light is part of the architecture of the house and is responsible for creating the atmosphere. Windows are the main sources of natural lighting, but their benefit is not always perceived in all environments.
When the interior spaces of the house do not have lateral access to a free interior or exterior area that allows windows, other resources can be used such as a skylight, or a window that is located on the roof. They are also named skylights, double glazed lantern skylights, or lanterns.
In Peru, we have a special word to designate them: Latina. Theatines are a type of tall, narrow window. They have a long tradition in Peruvian architecture, they were introduced in the city of Lima at the end of the 18th century. And they continued to be used until the early years of the 20th century. The theaters in Lima opened to the south, towards the prevailing wind, fulfilling their function of providing lighting and natural ventilation to the interior spaces.
How to design a skylight?
According to the Peruvian National Building Regulations, it is allowed that interior environments can have natural lighting through Theatines or skylights. The shapes and designs of these are unlimited, with the advice of an architect, the path of the sun and the winds must be evaluated, for the correct location and dimensions of the skylight, thus avoiding excessive light, especially those placed laterally. on sloped roofs.
Skylights are elements that help architectural design by providing spatial amplitude, relating the interior with the exterior sky. They are ideal for dark environments such as hallways, bathrooms, or walking closets and to enhance bedrooms, stairs, and social areas. Currently, the opening of windows in the roof is more present in architectural projects, thanks to new construction technologies.
What are the types of skylights?
Skylights can be closed or open. The closed ones are fixed and only fulfill the function of providing natural lighting. The open ones are windows with opening systems that allow hot air to escape to generate cross ventilation.
Tubular skylights or solar tubes are a technology that has been recently introduced in the Peruvian market. It consists of a conduit that allows the light to be transported from a dome located on the ceiling through a tube with diffusers that takes the light to an environment where it is not possible to install a window.
The decision to choose a skylight must take into account several considerations: whether the roof is flat or sloped, whether it will be open or closed, the dimensions, the materials of the frame and diffuser, and the opening mode. The technology of PVC or aluminum window carpentry manufacturers allows for solutions for standardized skylights, with projecting opening modes with a handle or rotating with a maneuver bar. You can use tempered glass or polycarbonate in a translucent or transparent finish, it is recommended that it has a UV filter. Also, have the option of an automated system for opening and closing the skylight with a sunlight sensor and electric drive.
Advantages and disadvantages of skylights
Architecturally, the skylights allow a visual connection with the open sky space and the landscape that surrounds the house, they provide spaciousness to the environment and allow greater freedom of design inside it. Its benefits to energy control are important, they allow the use of sunlight throughout the day, which allows reducing the consumption of electrical energy. If they are open, they help to ventilate the house with passive cooling techniques by removing hot air. This generates savings in the use of mechanical elements such as fans.
Among the disadvantages, fixed skylights only provide lighting and not ventilation, but this decision is accompanied by if it is placed in an inaccessible place such as a double-height ceiling, which would make it difficult to open it unless it is automated. In very hot climates, direct sunlight can overheat the interior space. Rain and wind will have a direct impact on a skylight, so care must be taken to seal the joints of the carpentry with the roof, to prevent the passage of water from causing leaks into the environment or humidity that deteriorates the roof.
Skylight Maintenance
In the case of the skylight, cleaning in climates such as the cities of the Peruvian coast where there is a lot of dust should be at least monthly, otherwise the earth and the rain dirty the theatina, which will not be able to fulfill its basic function of lighting. In addition to cleaning, preventive maintenance of all facilities is needed in every house. Ideally, it should be at least once a year. This maintenance is a verification of the skylight mechanisms, if the tempered glass or polycarbonate is not stable due to rain, falling branches or hailstorm if it is necessary to replace or repair it and thus avoid leaks.
For carpentry, the necessary maintenance must be carried out depending on the material of the frame in wood, iron, aluminum or PVC and seal the joints to the glass or polycarbonate with silicone. If you have a remote control to open and close the skylight, check the mechanical and electrical installation for proper operation. If you are looking for carpenters in Peru , visit our list of experts.