Dark skylights

Sharlene clair
by Sharlene clair
Our skylights face east. It's 8:30 am as of this photo. We never really get enough light because of the depth of the ceiling. How can I make this brighter, especially in afternoon and evening? I thought of mirror tiles. Thoughts, suggestions please.
Deep skylights. About 30"
  7 answers
  • We had sky lights installed in our store. There is a reflective tube attached to the light and a lighted frosted glass at the end that magnifies the light. Perhaps a revision will help
  • Debra Grieve Debra Grieve on Apr 26, 2015
    If you want more light, you can open up (widen) the window well area. Instead of being straight up and down, angle the walls to allow light to come in more easily. If you want a cheaper and less time invasive answer, go ahead and use white paint, or mirrors to line the wells. If you can paint the walls a light color and the ceiling, that would help as well. Maybe get some lighter toned furniture and reflective tables, etc. Hope this helps.
  • Patricia N Patricia N on Apr 26, 2015
    @Sharlene clair I think mirrors might be the inexpensive answer. Maybe mylar.
  • I was going to answer exactly what Debra said above. If you don't mind the cost, make them larger. Paint the ceiling bright white. Paint inside the skylight a bright Glossy white. It would interesting to see how the mirror idea went. Maybe have custom panels cut to fit and use adhesive to affix them. I'd still paint the ceiling a bright white. In a satin.
  • Cindy Cindy on Apr 27, 2015
    Agreed, mirrors and this will look superb, bending and reflecting light
  • Sharlene clair Sharlene clair on Apr 28, 2015
    Thank you everyone. This is a condo. The wells are painted ceiling white along with the ceiling, even though the picture makes them look dark. I think I'll try mirror on the side the sun does hit. Depending on how each condo faces, some people get all west and evening light. Oh the joys!!
  • Carol Carol on Apr 28, 2015
    Debra G. is correct.... the 'well' of the skylight(s) needs to be modified to be larger at the bottom. Instead or being straight up and down, the well should angle out. My mom had a skylight installed and was disappointed with the amount of light the skylight provided because the well was straight down. This only allows the light to come in in a focused area, rather than allowing it to disperse/diffuse over a wider area. She had the well widened/angled at the bottom and this solved the problem. In my opinion, the bottom opening should be twice as wide as the skylight.