Skylight’s Letting In Too Much Light

[Dylan Thomason]

We have the top floor of an uptown condominium building, and having a problem with the skylights letting in too much light. I can not get to the sky-lights from within due to the fact they go up 18 foot internal shafts. The roof is flat, and accessible to us. What are my options?

[tomh]

To inexpensively cut the amount of light without cutting it out completely use a trick from the greenhouse owners. One way is to mix whitewash or hydrated lime with water, then apply the mixture with a roller or sprayer over glass surfaces. However, lime solutions are not recommended for aluminum-framed skylights. Another inexpensive solution uses one gallon of white latex paint and eight gallons of water. Spray, brush or roll the thinned mixture on. More coats increases opaqeness. The material can be stripped fairly easily.

[Dodgeman]

Try floating some helium filled ballons up the shaft. Use white ballons to soften the light, Use black ballons to cut off the light. Use milar ballons if you want them to last longer than a day or two.

Good Luck!

Dodgeman

[t.b.]

sunshades are available – even motorized ones.

[Dylan Thomason]

I used a hydrated lime and water solution to block-out direct sunlight. I applied four coats of the mixture w/ a simple paint roller. I probably had to apply more coats than usual seeing how we are on the top floor of an exceedingly tall building, thus no shade from any neighboring structures. To protect the rooftop; since we can entertain on it, I cut a thick drop-cloth into four squares and surrounded the skylight base and rooftop using masking tape. This came in handy, seeing how the mixture was runny. The project was completed under 40 dollars, and makes a world of difference in our dining room and master bedroom. Thank you so much TomH.

[Author]

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