Garage to Bedroom with Skylight???

[Topsy1980]

Help!! We are converting our garage into bedroom for DD. Has anyone done this and had a skylight put in? Is it okay having a skylight in your bedroom with it being downstairs?? I'm concerned about nosy neighbours being able to see in from their upstairs rooms...!!!
Thoughts on skylights in garage conversions???

Is it a pitched or flat roof?

Flat roof

You might need pp.

Get a blind? You can get them for velux and skylights.

Is the skylight the only window? If so you may need to check that it satisfies the fire rules for means of escape (I can’t remember if these rules apply to ground floor bedrooms, they may not)

There is another main window too.

I hadn’t thought about planning permission.

And I didn’t realise you could get skylight blinds!!

I've seen this done but with a bathroom not a bedroom. It was a roof lantern actually, I really love those too! You would definitely need a blind wouldn't you? If not for privacy then to block out light. Think how the sun rises early and sets late in the summer!

We have velux windows in our loft conversion with double fitted blinds.... One layer is full blackout, the other just blocks glare and would provide daytime privacy but not lose light. I'd go with someone like that. I think called velux duo or similar

It’s actually a roof lantern we’re looking at. But I’m now thinking the cost of blinds will be so much - is it worth it???? Anyone had blinds made/fitted for roof lantern - was it expensive???

Surely you would need an electric blind unless she stands on something to close the blind as it will be on the ceiling not the angled wall of a loft. Considering how early sunrise is in summer surely you would not want her awake at stupid o'clock.

And yes you can get roof lantern blinds they fill in the "hole" in the ceiling where the roof lantern cut out is. Very beautiful. I once got a quote for conservatory blinds in a previous house and the cost of the blinds was more than the cost of a conservatory.

Planning permission possibly needed for change of use and putting in a window, building regs definitely needed for a garage conversion. Planning will consider it removal of parking even if you don't park a car in there so will be looking at what other off road parking you have.

Seeing as you will have another main window in the room, perhaps shop around for the price of blinds and consider the potential heat loss in winter/overheating in summer (I believe the blinds can help with these somewhat) and whether it is definitely all worth it/within your budget. The garage conversion I saw had no other windows and the sky lantern was the only source of light but of course with the garage being at the front, that worked really well as it felt really private. However, I am not sure I'd personally want a sky lantern in my ground floor bedroom for various reasons, as much as I do love them!

You might not need PP but you will need building control.

I wouldn't bother with a roof lantern. We have a dual blind which includes a privacy blind (let's light in) and a blackout.