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Ann:
I live in Northwest Wisconsin and went through many of the same arguments you brought up on skylights; in this climate, in a bathroom. Ended up putting in a Crestline vented unit (cheaper than Velux, no separate curb to install). Our bathroom ceiling is not vaulted, and is relatively small with no window.
Only down side was when 20 or so below January weather hit, the moisture accumulation froze (which then thaws and creates a rain forest effect, etc.) Took care of this by making a trimmed frame with window film covering to keep moisture out of the chase, yet allow light in. Works well, only need it in late Dec. thru Feb.
Would do it again, but would flare the ends of the chase to allow more light and openness to room.
Hope this helps.
John
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We're building a small, but nice lake home, and it's really turning out great, thanks to all the advice from you folks. I have an open-ended question on skylights. We would really like to have either a vented or unvented skylight in our small, windowless bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. If need be, we'll try a tubular skylight, but we would really like a traditional skylight that shows blue sky, stars, etc. The advice we have received has been that having a skylight in a bathroom in northern Wisconsin is just short of nuts, due to moisture inside, and cold and snow outside. Does anyone have ideas on new products or old ones that work well, opinions or options for us to consider? Thanks!
*if you want traditional , by all means get one .. we sell Suntunnel. (tubular skylights ).... but there is no blue sky, just lots of light.. and no appreciable heat loss , with a double gasket closure at the bottom.. In the traditional styles..look for a well insulated one , Roto has R-values of 4.0, i bet Velux does too.. i'd use a non-venting...my experience is they cost less , and perform better.. and after the first year the vented ones (especially in vaulted ceilings) never get opened again...watch the orientation..so they don't become big solar cookers in the summer..if you are still worried about heat loss.. you can always close the bottom of the skylight well with a roman shade...b but hey, whadda i no ?
*All of what mike said.Here in NW Ohio, skylite in shaft, shaded east exp. in summer. Gets covered w/snow when it snows. Provides nice lite and no drippage. Hot water heat in floor so no air movement to wash the glass. Have a velux, ventilated fixed skylite. Small door at top with pull string opening. Small, screened opening, not much heat loss. Orientation should be a big consideration. Ours lights the hall with the bath door open. Energy savings there. Think about it.
*Ann:I live in Northwest Wisconsin and went through many of the same arguments you brought up on skylights; in this climate, in a bathroom. Ended up putting in a Crestline vented unit (cheaper than Velux, no separate curb to install). Our bathroom ceiling is not vaulted, and is relatively small with no window. Only down side was when 20 or so below January weather hit, the moisture accumulation froze (which then thaws and creates a rain forest effect, etc.) Took care of this by making a trimmed frame with window film covering to keep moisture out of the chase, yet allow light in. Works well, only need it in late Dec. thru Feb.Would do it again, but would flare the ends of the chase to allow more light and openness to room.Hope this helps.John
*John,Good point and idea on the solar film. It seems to me by also flaring the ends of the skylight shaft, you would get more air movement across the skylight, thereby reducing the amount of condensation that you get on the bitterly cold days. I would opt for a ventilating unit, just because I would go through the excercise of opening the thing when showering, but most wouldn't. I guess it would depend on the elevation of the skylight in relationship to the room. Some wells are tremendously long, and it would be impossible to keep warm, moist air from traveling upward and condensing/freezing. My advice to Ann would be to carefully consider some of these items, thereby creating a pro/con answer.
*An opening unit makes for a nice chimney to keep hot air moving in summer.Here in Western Washington, it's a rare house built today without a few strategically placed skylights.