Skylight south-ish facing extension: summer heat?

[Yazoop]

hi there,

We are building a rear extension that faces south easterly and gets a lot of lovely light during the day. We will have large glazed windows and doorway. The plan is to have a 1x1.5 skylight (which can be opened) in the reception area (which will have exposed beams running through) but we are slightly concerned about how hot it will get in the summer.

Anyone with a similar set up that can give us the lowdown on how it really is? we’ll consider blinds or an awning to block some of the window light when needed.

It will get hot. There has been a few discussions here on the subject. We too, are looking into this at the moment. Our extension will face west so the very hot afternoon sun. We have reduced the size of the sliding door opening. We have kept the large window by the sink . We plan to install an awning over the glazed door and one over the kitchen window.

We also plan to have the roof windows in the in the pitched roof only on the north facing side of it.

What can you really do realistically ?

Are you going to change the design of the extension because of what people post on here, ie reduce the windows or remove the skylight ?

Probably not. So the only real solution is to make sure you fit appropriate blinds/shields. Especially in the skylight, because it will be a real pain to retrofit something that high up. You can get velux windows with integrated blinds.

Finally I would remember that although in the summer the heat is a pain, in the winter it is great ! My house has all the blinds open on the SE side and is heating up nicely. No CH required today. But yes in the summer the heat can be brutal unless you shield from the sun.

Thanks both - some good points to take on board here

Velux also come with automatic opening on a sensor, so that plus a heat shield film and it should be better.

We face SE and put lots of glass in - 4m sliding doors, a glass box window, two large skylights (one very large). All solar glass but yes it gets hot.

An awning has been an absolute godsend both for protection against heat and for shading the outside terrace. Would massively recommend either an awning or a brise soleil.

Our skylights are more of an issue and I’m looking into reflective film to apply to them. With hindsight perhaps would have made one of them smaller - but I do love the light they bring.