Love Light Wonder

Wishing these gifts for you this holiday season and every day of the new year.

Our office will be closed for the holidays from December 23, 2017 through January 8, 2018. We look forward to bringing you light in the new year.  Happy Holidays From the Naturalight Solar Team

Santa's New Chimney

Check out Santa's new chimney: the VELUX Fresh Air Skylight. 

Winter is the Best Time to...

Install a Skylight!

When you install a new skylight during the rainy season, 

you get an immediate "rain test" of your VELUX Skylights or SUN TUNNELS. 

Right away you will have the peace of mind that your new skylight is waterproof. 

Call our office today for an estimate and reserve your installation date.

707-527-5330

A Clean Roof is a Happy Roof

Are you experiencing leaky skylights?

With rain and wind from recent storms, leaves and other debris will tend to build up on your roof in the valleys and around flashings, creating leaf dams. 

The result? Pools of water that cause damage and leaks. 

The easiest way to keep your roof happy is 

to regularly clear away built up leaves and debris. 

A happy roof means a happy you. 

Need a hand clearing that debris? Give us a call today! (707) 527-5330

Historic Home Benefits from Natural Light

A house from the 1800's, renovated with VELUX Skylights
to be environmentally responsible and historically appropriate.

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania this c.1802 house has been altered very little since it was built, and has never had dormers, as many did from the same time period in this part of eastern Pennsylvania. The choice to install VELUX skylights was inspired by a desire to be environmentally responsible and historically appropriate when renovating the third floor of the house into an office. The architect, Artefact, Inc., used the low profile of the VELUX GPL S06 Roof Window skylights to allow the roof of the house to remain flat and uninterrupted by projections, just as it had been for over 200 years.

During the winter the skylights encourage significant solar heat gain. Even without heat, the space never dipped below 57 degrees on the coldest nights (approximately 5 degrees F) during the winter of 2005. During the summer, solar heat gain is reduced by the solar screens on the outside of the skylights. Opening the skylights in the summer creates a chimney effect, drawing air through the house and pulling cooler air in on the lower levels.

     

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving "Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." ~William Arthur Ward Naturalight Solar will be closed on November 22, 23, and 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will resume regular business hours on Monday, November 27th.  The Naturalight Solar Team wishes you a wonderful holiday filled with gratitude, good company, and delicious food.

360 Video: Ocean Sunroom

It may be raining here right now, but the sun will be back. In the meantime, take a look around  this light-filled sunroom inspired by the ocean. 


360 Video: Step Inside a Beautiful, Blue Sunroom from VELUX USA on Vimeo.

Skip the Winter Doldrums

It’s happened. We all set our clocks back an hour this past Sunday and now we find ourselves facing the dwindling daylight hours. As the days grow shorter and the sun moves lower in the sky, you may find the light inside your home growing dimmer even during the day.

Lack of sunlight is the number one contributor to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and so you’re most likely to experience it in the winter. Adding more artificial lighting will help ease eyestrain, but it will not lift your mood.

Installing VELUX Sun Tunnel Skylights now, before you become lost in the doldrums of winter, will both increase the natural light in your home and lift your mood.

Skip the winter doldrums and get your sunlight before it’s gone!

Read more about VELUX Sun Tunnel Skylights.

Ready for an estimate? Fill out this online form or give our office a call: 707-527-5330

360 Video: Four-Season Porch with VELUX Skylights

Need some Monday inspiration? Explore this screened in porch to experience 

how skylights bring in natural light and provide a sky view. 

Weatherproofing Season has Arrived

We want to help Sonoma County rebuild

We have all felt the losses the fires have caused our community, and we want to help you rebuild by providing more than skylight services through our office. In order to assist those affected by the fires, we are partnering with JHD Construction to provide home restoration and construction services.

Call 707-527-5330
or visit  www.naturalightsolar.com

What can you do to make sure your skylights are weatherproof?

1. Check existing flashings, clean away debris, and make sure weep holes are clear.

2. Make sure curb mounted skylights are fastened down so they can’t blow off in a wind storm.

3. Replace old plastic bubble skylights with VELUX flat glass skylights that meet California’s Energy Code, have a 10-year warranty, and greater ability to withstand impact from hail and tree branches. 

4. Don’t wait to check your skylights! If they need to be replaced, standard sizes take one week from order to delivery, while custom sizes take three to four weeks to arrive. 

5. Can’t get on your roof? Call Naturalight Solar to schedule a Performance Check of your tube skylights, traditional skylights, and other roof flashings. 

Our Office Has Moved

The Naturalight Solar office has moved a few doors down.

We're now located at:
436 Larkfield Center
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Our new office is only a few doors down from our previous location. We are still located on the south end of the Larkfield shopping center, but now we have a larger space and the sweet aroma of the cookie bakery next store!

Our phone line is up and running now,
so please give our office a call at 707-527-5330 with any questions. 

And we will try to return any missed calls as quickly as we can. 

One Day at a Time: Fire Update

As we find our way through each day, we are heartbroken for the loss everyone has endured. We hope you and your loved ones are safe.

Naturalight Solar is in transition as we re-connect our computers and work to access our phone lines and Internet service in a temporary location. As soon as these services are back online, we will be contacting all of our currently scheduled clients to check-in and reschedule as necessary. Our materials have survived, but we do not yet have access to them, so this may cause further delays.

We are doing everything we can to get up and running to serve our community, and we will be adding additional services through our general contractor to assist with clean-up and rebuilding.

#sonomacountystrong #wewillrebuild

Small Kitchen Conundrums

The kitchen is a central, active room in the home. It is important for it to have good lighting, air flow, and plentiful storage for food, dishes, and small appliances, not to mention space for food prep, cooking, and eating. An open and flowing design is also appreciated for entertaining.

This is a lot to ask of a kitchen, especially a small kitchen. 

In the design or re-model of a kitchen, compromises are often made and typically natural light is nixed in the favor of extra storage. Unfortunately, the lack of windows also contributes to a lack of fresh air and natural ventilation, creating sticky, hot kitchens in the summer. 

One solution in this design conundrum is often overlooked: Skylights. With skylights, you get the natural light and fresh air you need in the kitchen, leaving room along the walls for additional storage. 

The next time you have a kitchen design conundrum, consider skylights and discover a kitchen without compromises. 

If you're ready for a kitchen without compromises, call our office today at 707-527-5330,

 or request an estimate here. 

Skylights that Pay for Themselves

New VELUX Energy Performance Model Skylights Combine Energy Efficiency with Cost Savings for Homeowners

      Homeowners can maximize energy efficiency and take advantage of a 30 percent federal tax credit with the new VELUX Energy Performance Model skylight featuring automated energy performance.

      Launching at the 2017 International Builders' Shown in Orlando, Florida, the Energy Performance Model combines and Energy Star-certified VELUX fixed skylight with a factory-installed, double-pleated, solar-powered, blackout blind and a preprogrammed Intelligent Touch Remote Control in one box. 

      "When closed, the double pleated blind boots the overall energy performance of the Energy Star-certified skylight by 40 percent," said Ross Vandermark, national product manager for VELUX. "And the blinds are fully automated when the room is not in use, closing during the warm summer days and cold winter nights to block light and insulate."

      With a 30 percent federal tax credit, homeowners will receive an average of $730 in federal tax credit eligibility.

      "The federal tax credit makes this product very affordable for homeowners looking to make a big impact on their home decor as well as their utility bills," Vandermark said.

VELUX is an Energy Star partner and has been recognized as a Partner of the Year. For more information, visit www.whyskylights.com or naturalightsolar.com. 

Case Study: Roofing and Skylights are Happier Together

A newly purchased Marin County home was in need of a new roof and brighter interior spaces. While it had existing traditional VELUX Skylights in good condition, the homeowners wanted to add four VELUX SUN TUNNELs.

This photo shows the existing skylights and
new curb mounted Sun Tunnels before being sealed
with the white vinyl roofing.

Naturalight Solar was called in to coordinate the installation with Wedge Roofing, who would be installing a new white vinyl roof. Sun Tunnel skylights can be installed on any roof type, but some roofs, like white vinyl, require extra steps for proper installation.

Naturalight Solar built the required curbs for optimal waterproofing and then installed the curbs and four 14" TCR VELUX SUN TUNNELs. As a finishing touch, we also added colored theater gels to tint the light to a warmer tone, per the homeowners preference.

When our work was complete, Wedge Roofing returned to install the white vinyl roofing, sealing the vinyl up the sides of the Sun Tunnel curbs for a seamless waterproofing.

If it's time for a new roof on your home and you think you might want to add skylights, give us a call for a free estimate at 707-527-5330. Likewise, if you want to add skylights and it's nearing time for a new roof, consider having both done at the same time. New roofs and skylights are happier together.

Something Not Right with Your Light?

Have your old tube skylights stopped giving out light? Has the trim ring or diffuser fallen from the ceiling? Are there mysterious insects showing up inside your tube skylight?

All of these conditions can be caused by age or improper installation, and they don’t necessarily mean the tube skylights need to be replaced.

One of the twenty-year-old tube
skylights after being repaired.

Naturalight Solar recently performed a service call for an owner of two twenty-year-old tubes of unknown brand. The tubes had stopped giving out light and when our certified installation specialist took a look in the attic, he found that both tubes had only been taped at their seams when originally installed. After twenty years, the tape had failed, causing the tubes to fall apart in the attic. The tubes themselves were in fine condition, so our installer screwed them back together and re-taped the seams.

When the tube seams are connected and aligned properly with screws and tape, there are no places for bugs to enter, no pieces shifting down from the ceiling, and lots of natural light.

If you are experiencing a problem with your old tube skylight, give us a call to schedule a service appointment at 707-527-5330.

Happy Labor Day

Wishing you a relaxing holiday weekend!

"Genius begins great works; labor alone finishes them."

- Joseph Joubert

The Naturalight Solar Office will be closed Monday, September 4 for Labor Day. 

Brighten Up and Cool Off with One Great Package

How can you get both brighter interior spaces and less heat this summer? With a VELUX Sun Tunnel Skylight and SRS Solar Attic Fan Combo. This summer, we're giving you $50 off*  when you buy a Sun Tunnel/Attic Fan Combo. VELUX Sun Tunnels let in the light without the heat or harmful UV rays. Plus, you can add an energy efficiency diffuser to further reduce heat transfer.

The SRS Solar Attic Fan works hard to remove hot air from your attic, allowing your home to stay 10-15 degrees cooler, all without using electricity. 

*Offer ends September 22, 2017

Visit NaturalightSolar.com
Or call for more information
(707) 527-5330

4 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bill This Summer

Summer heat comes withs its own energy challenges, especially when it comes to keeping your home cool and comfortable. And though the days are longer, it doesn’t mean you can forego the use of electric lighting in dark, land-locked rooms. In fact, you may choose to use electric lighting during the day so you can keep your blinds closed against the hot rays of sun baking through the glass.

But you don’t have to decide between well-lit rooms and a cool home, nor does your electric bill have to soar with the rising mercury. Here are four ways to brighten your home and keep it cool, all while reducing your energy bill.

Tube Skylights

VELUX SUN TUNNEL Skylights are tubular skylights that can bring light to rooms where windows or traditional skylights cannot fit, such as small closets, bathrooms, and hallways. Tube skylights eliminate the need for electric lighting during the day, reducing your energy bill. They can also bring extra light to rooms where the shades are drawn across the windows because you won’t have to worry about heat gain. While the standard model has minimal heat transfer, with the energy efficient diffuser upgrade, you can leave behind all worries of heat transfer into your home while still enjoying natural light.

Venting Skylights

VELUX Fresh Air Skylights are operable skylights designed to vent out hot air that naturally rises to the ceiling. It also allows an influx of fresh air for healthy air circulation. Best of all, these skylights can be solar powered, so they require no wiring and won’t add to your energy bill. In fact, they may help lessen your need for air conditioning by passively cooling your home.

 

Skylight Shades

If you’re concerned about the hot sun beating through your skylight, then consider skylight shades. They can be closed during the heat of the day to keep your home cooler. The VELUX Skylight Shades can also be solar powered to eliminate the need for electrical wiring. Solar skylight shades work excellently in combination with a solar powered venting skylight to keep your home cool and lower your energy bill.

 

Solar Attic Fans

SunRise Solar Attic Fans actively pull hot air out of your attic using only the power of the sun. By keeping your attic cooler, they also help keep your living space cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning. With its low profile design and whisper quiet operation, you’ll hardly remember it’s there until you see your energy bill savings.

 

Along with cutting your energy costs this summer, the solar powered skylights, shades, and attic fans currently qualify for a 30% Federal Tax Credit on both the product and installation price.

It’s the perfect time to check out these products and start saving. Call Naturalight Solar today to ask about how you can cut costs and say cool this summer.

Take a look at naturalightsolar.com, or call (707) 527-5330 for more information.

Naturalight Solar is a VELUX certified 5 STAR Dealer.

We are a team of dedicated skylight installers and day-lighting specialists.

Happy Fourth of July

A Nation’s Strength
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1904)

...Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

~~~

Our office will be closed Monday, July 3 through Tuesday, July 4.We will resume our regular hours on Wednesday, July 5. 

Cool Your Home with VELUX Fresh Air Skylights

Is the heat getting to you? Find out how venting skylights use physics to cool your home.



Ready to have venting skylights installed in your own home and feel their cooling effects? Give us a call today for a free estimate at 707-527-5330.

Before You Buy: New Home Skylight Checklist

The spring housing market has sprung! If you're looking for a new home, it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the details to consider. If the home you're interested in has skylights, it's important to find out their condition before you buy.

Here's a checklist to help you find out the condition of the skylights and if it might be more costly than usual to replace them, if necessary: 

·       Perhaps most important, look for signs of past water damage or discoloration on the frame and the ceiling around the skylights. This is a sure sign that the skylight will need repair or replacement, if the work has not already been done. 

Example of water damage on a sheetrock ceiling.

·       Find out how old the skylights are: skylights usually don't last more than thirty years, less if they are not high quality.

·       Are they plastic bubbles or flat glass? If they are dual-paned, lowe3, tempered glass they will be more energy efficient. 

The white skylight is an example of a plastic bubble,
while the near skylight is an example of flat glass.

·       Are they operable skylights? If so, do they open and close properly?

·       What size are the skylights? If they are unusually large (over four feet in both dimensions or over six feet in one dimension) or unusually shaped, they will be expensive to replace, and it may even be difficult to find someone who can or will replace them. 

·       How steep is the roof and what is the roof material? It is more difficult, and so more costly, to replace skylights on especially steep roofs and roofs that are a material other than composition shingle. 

Example of a Composition Shingle Roof.

Example of a Curved Tile Roof.  

Example of a Standing Seam Metal Roof.

Example of an especially Steep Roof.