We all know what a skylight is, right? Skylights are often placed in rooms that need more light, and they do a terrific job at allowing more light into a room. Oftentimes skylights are used to create visual interest in a room with a high ceiling or room with sloped walls, that is besides the predictable skylight in the attic room of course, and skylight blinds cover those windows.
While a great addition to a room with a high ceiling, the inconvenience of a skylight can often be very bothersome to the people living or accessing the room. An unshuttered skylight sends tons of UV rays down and usually heats the room up more than is acceptable. So, what is the solution to this? Applying frosted window film or sticky back plastic as it is also called? No, skylight blinds, of course.
Skylight shades are usually set to run on tracks so that they can support the blind in any position and they usually have a handle that can either be operated manually or via a skylight window pole which is a much more manual way of operating the skylight blind.
There are different types of skylight blinds available. Some merely filter the light coming in through the skylight, while others offer total blackout. As with most blinds, you can have either inside our outer mount shades.
Light Filtering Skylight Blinds: These type of skylight shades allow light to filter into the room via the skylight. Shades can be opened and closed, just like any other type of shade and depending on the amount they are opened or shut the same amount of light will be filtered into the room. These are great to use in rooms that are ‘used’ for either a bedroom or study, as you can control the amount of light that is filtered into a room.
Room Darkening Skylight Shades: Do just what their name implies. They darken a room! Light coming through a skylight window can sometimes be a hassle. Using skylight blinds to minimize this light can make all the difference! These type of blinds are particularly useful in rooms used for media, TV, video games, etc.–anywhere where light would be intrusive.
It is important to note, though, that these do not totally omit all light from entering into a room, but rather significantly reduce the amount of light that enters a room.
If you are wondering how on earth you can open or close your skylight blinds, there’s no need to wonder any further. The majority of these type of blinds, especially new blinds, are motorized meaning that you can open and close them by the use of a remote control.
Skylight blinds, especially remote controlled skylight blinds are not cheap. For example a 72″ x 84″ semi-opaque blind can cost up to $550. A normal light filtering shade of the same dimension can cost up to $950, while a room darkening blind will set you back a tidy $1200 plus.
Although it is expensive to buy, and difficult to install skylight blinds they do really look good in a room where you have a skylight and are actually often a necessity.