Roof Design For Natural Lighting

Windows are placed in the vertical spaces of the roof allowing more natural light inside the home.

Roof design for natural lighting.

The mansard roof is identified with steep sides that create a cap effect. In fact skylights are often called windows for the roof not only do they present as much glazing area as a medium sized window they also face upward where the sun is located. These days while it may not be a widespread design factor of your average home more and more commercial properties are embracing roof designs that allow for more natural light to shine in. The combination of the various slopes and use of natural light make this design an excellent choice for homes with eco friendly conveniences such as solar panels geothermal and radiant heating systems.

The bottom slope joints up a few feet lower which creates a location for a vertical wall. This design uses a roof mounted light collector large diameter optical fiber and modified efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures that have transparent rods connected to the optical fiber cables. Natural lighting design most daylighting components are integrated in the original construction plan however technologies such as tubular daylighting devices skylights electric lighting controls and optimized interior design may be considered in retrofit projects. For those with the finances and amibition these types of designs can be adapted to residential properties so that the sun and nature can always be a part of our day to day lives even when at home.

This is a french roof historically and the design has a functional purpose which is to create more usable space in upper floors. The sawtooth roof with its glass panels facing away from the equator blocks the light and heat of direct sun exposure and provides uniform natural light over a large area. The higher peaks provide the opportunity for either vaulted ceilings or loft living space. This wall is outfitted with numerous windows that allow natural light and warmth into the adjacent room.

Mansard roofs can include window dormers and often do since the space is usable and therefore the dormers provide natural light. Homes with a mono pitch roof are usually designed with large windows or multiple windows to take advantage of natural light. Skylights are an amazingly effective way of pulling in natural light. What they essentially amount to is a gable roof that meets at different heights.

Clerestory roofs are built with one thing in mind natural light. Meade a house filled with sunlight is cheery warm and inviting. A sub variation of the mono pitch is known as saw tooth as pictured below.