Roof types and skylights

Skylights can make a big difference to a home.

They bring natural light into dark rooms. They can make hallways, bathrooms, kitchens and living areas feel brighter and more open.

But not every skylight suits every roof.

Your roof type, roof pitch, ceiling space and room layout can all affect which skylight is best for your home.

That is why it helps to understand the main skylight options before choosing one.

Common roof types in Australian homes

Australian homes can have many different roof styles.

Some are simple and easy to work with. Others need more planning.

Common roof types include:

• Tile roofs
• Metal roofs
• Flat roofs
• Concrete roofs

Each roof type has different installation needs.

The most important part is making sure the skylight is installed with the right flashing system. This helps seal the roof properly and reduce the risk of leaks.

Traditional skylights and roof types

Traditional skylights are usually larger window-style skylights.

They are often installed above living rooms, kitchens or open spaces where the ceiling is close to the roof.

When traditional skylights can work well

Traditional skylights can work well when there is a clear path from the roof to the ceiling.

They can also suit rooms where you want a large roof window effect.

When traditional skylights may not be ideal

Traditional skylights can be harder to install when the roof space is complex.

They may not be ideal for tight roof spaces, small rooms, hallways or areas where a large roof cut-out is not needed.

This is where tubular skylights and solar skylights can be a smarter choice.

Tubular skylights and roof types

Tubular skylights are designed to bring daylight into the home through a reflective tube.

Light is captured from the roof. It travels through the tube. It then spreads into the room through a ceiling diffuser.

This makes tubular skylights a great option for darker areas where a traditional skylight may be too large or too difficult to install.

They are commonly used in:

• Hallways
• Bathrooms
• Laundries
• Walk-in robes
• Kitchens
• Small living areas
• Internal rooms

MaxLight tubular skylights

SolarBright’s MaxLight Tubular Skylights are designed to suit most Australian roof types.

MaxLight skylights are ideal for many homes because they are compact, effective and easier to install than many traditional skylights.

They can suit tile roofs, metal roofs and many common pitched roof designs.

Easier installation

Because MaxLight uses a tube system, the roof opening is much smaller than a traditional skylight.

This can make installation faster and less disruptive.

It also means MaxLight can often be installed in places where a large skylight would not be practical.

Leak-proof flashing system

A good skylight is not just about light.

It also needs to protect your roof.

MaxLight skylights are installed with purpose-made roof flashing to suit the roof type. This helps create a secure seal around the skylight.

When installed correctly, this helps prevent water from entering the roof space.

That is why flashing is one of the most important parts of a skylight installation.

Solar skylights and roof types

Solar skylights are different from traditional and tubular skylights.

They do not use a roof window or a long reflective tube.

Instead, a solar panel on the roof powers an LED light inside the home.

This makes solar skylights very flexible.

They are a great option when the room is far from the roof, or when a tube cannot easily reach the ceiling space.

MaxLED solar skylights

SolarBright’s MaxLED Solar Skylights are designed to bring daylight-style lighting into areas where standard skylights may not be practical.

The roof panel collects solar energy. The LED light is installed in the ceiling. A cable connects the two.

This makes MaxLED suitable for many roof types and room layouts.

It is especially useful when the ceiling is too far from the roof for a tubular skylight.

Great for tricky installations

MaxLED Solar Skylights can be easier to install in difficult spaces.

They do not need a reflective tube running through the roof cavity.

This makes them suitable for homes with complicated roof spaces, multi-level sections or areas where access is limited.

The cable can run up to 10 metres, giving more flexibility than a standard tube-based skylight.

Less roof work

MaxLED also needs less roof work than many traditional skylights.

There is no large roof window. There is no long tube.

This makes it a clean and practical solution for many homes.

Flashing and leak-proof installation

Leaks are one of the biggest concerns people have about skylights.

That is why the flashing system matters.

Flashing is the weatherproof section that sits around the skylight on the roof. It helps guide water away from the opening and keeps the roof sealed.

SolarBright skylights use roof flashing designed to suit the roof type.

This helps MaxLight and MaxLED skylights work with most common roof materials, including metal and tile roofs.

A good flashing system, combined with professional installation, helps protect the roof from water issues.

SolarBright’s 1 year workmanship warranty

Installation quality is just as important as the skylight product.

SolarBright offers a 1 year workmanship warranty on skylight installation.

This gives homeowners extra peace of mind.

It means the installation work is backed, not just the product itself.

Which skylight is best for your roof?

The right skylight depends on your roof, ceiling space and the room you want to brighten.

Choose MaxLight Tubular Skylights if you want natural daylight through a reflective tube. They are a great choice for darker areas and suit most roof types.

Choose MaxLED Solar Skylights if the room is harder to reach, the roof space is complex, or the light needs to travel further.

Both options are easier to install than many traditional skylights. Both are designed to suit Australian homes. Both can help brighten your home without needing a large roof opening.

Let us help you choose the right skylight for your home

Contact SolarBright or book a free consultation and let our team help you choose the right skylight for your home.