Ward Off Vampires and Brighten Your Home with Skylights

If your home has been feeling a little dark lately and you’re concerned about your ability to survive a vampire invasion during the Halloween season, consider having a few skylights installed. Skylights are an excellent way to bring natural light into parts of your home that might otherwise stay dim, and as a bonus, that extra light will make your home much less attractive to any vampires that might be lurking around.

Types of Skylights

There are three main types of skylights—fixed, electric, and tubular. Which one you choose will most likely depend primarily on the space in question, the design of your roof, your needs, and your budget. Fixed skylights are similar to ordinary windows, but they don’t open. Electric skylights, also known as venting skylights, open and close by remote control. Manual versions require a pole attachment to reach the opening hardware. High-end electric skylights come equipped with a rain sensor that will close the skylight in the event of inclement weather. Finally, tubular skylights are ideal for small spaces where you’d like to add some natural light, such as bathrooms or closets. These metal tubes are designed to funnel sunlight into a room and diffuse it—similar to a standard recessed light fixture.

Skylight Installation

Skylight installation is a relatively simple process compared to many other home improvement projects. In most cases, it can be done in less than a day, but it’s imperative that the weather cooperates. Any rain or moist precipitation will delay the installation significantly. Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to skylights. A high-quality product will be more energy efficient and less likely to leak, and you will likely have more options when it comes to add-ons such as tinting, UV-resistant glazing, or built-in shades.

Work with your contractor to choose the best placement for your skylight. Although your goal is to let more sunlight into your home—and scare off vampires—it’s important to remember that the sun doesn’t stay in one place through the day. Before your contractor cuts a hole in your roof, consider the exposure each potential skylight location receives. A skylight in a spot that receives mostly northern exposure will create a different lighting effect from one installed in a spot that receives mostly southern exposure.

Skylights not only bring much-needed natural light into dark spaces, they also add architectural interest to a room. All that additional sunlight will make warding off vampires easier, too. While skylight installation usually isn’t a long and involved process, it does take skill and technical know-how. A poorly or improperly installed skylight can have disastrous consequences. Working with a reputable contractor will ensure that you love the end result—and that your home is safe from vampires.