Deciding whether to install electric or manual opening skylights can be a tough decision for homeowners, office managers and developers alike. We all want to have the optimal amount of natural light in our spaces, but which opening skylight option is better for you?
In this article, we compare electric and manual opening skylights in detail. We discuss what each type of skylight is, how they compare to each other in terms of cost, time-saving and other factors, as well as answering other key questions around this topic. Read on to learn more.
What is a manual skylight?
A manual skylight is a roof window that can be manually opened or closed. This type of roof window doesn’t come with a remote control, so should be installed in an area that is easily accessible for the user.
How do manual skylights work?
Manual skylights allow natural light to enter a space. They can be opened and closed using a simple mechanism. The opening and closing mechanism of manual skylights can vary by product, including:
- A simple pushing and pulling mechanism
- A turning handle mechanism
Once opened, you can enjoy a lovely combination of fresh air and natural light in your spaces at the same time.
What is an electric skylight?
Electric skylights are roof windows that can be operated by either a remote control or a dedicated wall panel. These skylights typically include automatic weather sensors.
How do electric skylights work?
Electric skylights, as the name suggests, are powered by an electric system, meaning that you don’t need to manually open them. Instead, you’ll simply have to press a button on a remote control or wall panel unit. This requires a lot less manual effort compared to opening and closing manual skylights.
Electric vs manual skylights – 6 factors to consider
So you’re looking to install an opening skylight but are unsure whether to choose electric or manual. In order to help you decide, we break down the following six key factors:
- Cost
- Height
- Safety
- Time Saving
- Maximum Amount of Natural Light
- Rain Sensors
1. Cost
In terms of cost, as you might suspect, electric skylights are more expensive than manual skylights. This is due to the fact that you can control them using a remote control or wall panel. You’re paying an additional cost in order to benefit from the technology integrated into electric skylights.
If you’re on a tighter budget, investing in manual skylights might be best for your project, otherwise, electric skylights are a great investment if you’re looking for ease of use and better roof window placement.
2. Height
Arguably the most important factor to consider when deciding whether to install electric or manual opening skylights is height. By height, we mean the height of the space where you’re looking to install new skylights.
The main benefit of having electric skylights is that you can install them in places that are difficult to reach. These places are typically better options for skylight placement, as they can often let in a more optimal amount of light.
On the other hand, having manual opening skylights restricts you to installing new skylights in areas that can easily be reached. These areas might not provide optimal natural light exposure, meaning you won’t be getting the most out of your skylights.
3. Safety
You might be questioning why safety should be a factor when comparing electric and manual opening skylights, but it’s a legitimate concern. A common issue that arises is that homeowners install manual skylights in areas that are difficult to reach, so they might need the assistance of a chair or stepladder in order to open and close their roof window.
If this is the case, you run the risk of falling off the chair or stepladder and injuring yourself. This is especially true if you’re an older person with declining balance or posture. With this in mind, the safest skylights are electric style windows, as you can operate these from anywhere without putting yourself in an unsafe position.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to install skylights in an area that is easy to reach without any assistance, manual opening skylights can be a suitable choice.
4. Time Saving
Looking into time saving is another important factor when comparing electric and manual skylights. This is a tricky argument and can provide different outcomes, so should be addressed on a case by case basis.
Which type of skylight is quicker to open and close? This depends on the speed of the operating system of an electric skylight and the age of a manual skylight. Manual skylights can become rusty over time and may become a little harder to open and close. On the other hand, an electric skylight could take a while to open straight out of the box.
If you’re concerned about this factor, we recommend speaking to the manufacturer to help you make a decision. The experts at Toughened Glass Systems will be more than happy to help you with this query when purchasing a skylight from us.
You can also read our guides on cleaning and replacing windows to make sure you’re getting the most out of your features.
5. Maximum amount of natural light
The fifth factor to consider when deciding to install electric or manual opening skylights is which option can allow you to let in the maximum amount of natural light. This is the main aim of installing skylights, so we want to make sure we’re getting the most bang for our buck.
Depending on how your home is shaped, it might mean that you can let in the most amount of light by installing manual skylights. The likelihood is that electric skylights will offer the best solution on this front, as they can be installed in lots of areas due to the fact you can open and close them using a remote control.
6. Rain sensors
The sixth and final factor to think about when deciding to install electric or manual opening skylights are rain sensors. These are only applicable to electric skylights, as they are an automatic feature that close a skylight as soon as it starts to rain.
This means that you can leave your skylight open when you’re out of the house and not have to worry about rain entering your home. Unfortunately, you won’t have the same luxury if you install manual opening skylights.
If this feature sounds like it could be helpful to you, you might want to opt for electric skylights during your upcoming project if you don’t want to come home to a leaking skylight.
Advantages of electric opening skylights
There are a number of advantages when opting for electric skylights rather than manual skylights, these include:
- Easy access to ventilation by clicking a single button on a remote control or wall panel
- A great option for homeowners who are less mobile or physically impaired
- Can be installed in more optimal positions
- Are often a safer installation choice
We recommend taking these reasons into consideration when choosing which style of skylight to purchase for your home.
In Conclusion
Choosing between electric and manual opening skylights can feel like a difficult decision, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider which rooms you’re choosing to install skylights in, work out the most optimal position for them, and decide which option will be safest for you to use long-term.
Electric skylights are typically the safest option, and can be installed in the most optimal areas, so bear this in mind when making your decision. If you have further questions around this topic that you’d like answering, we recommend contacting us to speak to one of our experts.
Toughened Glass Systems skylights
Choose Toughened Glass Systems for new skylight installations. We have a fantastic range of both electric and manual opening skylights, as well as an experienced team that have years of knowledge within the industry.
Contact us today to discuss what options are available and how we can help you make the best decision for your project.
We stock an impressive collection of rooflights and skylights, including:
Get your dream feature today. Can’t decide between opening vs non-opening skylights? Learn the differences, pros and cons in our guide.
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Frequently asked questions
Can manual opening skylights be converted to electric?
It is possible for manual skylights to be converted to electric skylights, depending on the model you initially purchased. Our advice would be to speak to your supplier about making the switch. If you purchased your manual skylight from us, don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your conversion options with one of our experts.
Should electric skylights have rain sensors?
Ideally, electric skylights should have rain sensors installed, as they are a really helpful feature. If this feature is important to you, ensure that you check with the manufacturer that your chosen skylight will definitely include them.
If you’re purchasing skylights from Toughened Glass, we’ll be more than happy to recommend some electric skylight options that boast rain sensors as a feature.
What is the difference between a Velux and a skylight?
The difference between a skylight and a velux is straightforward – a skylight is a window typically installed on a roof to let natural light enter a building, whereas a Velux window is a window specifically manufactured by the Velux brand.