Maximizing Natural Light: Skylights and Clerestories in New Builds
Natural light is one of the most powerful elements in home design. It enhances mood, reduces energy bills, and brings a warm, inviting feel to any space.
In Spokane, smart use of skylights and clerestories is becoming a go-to design solution for homeowners who want to maximize light while maintaining style and privacy. Here’s how these architectural features can transform your custom home.
Skylights: Bringing the Sky Indoors
Skylights are windows built into the roof, allowing direct sunlight to stream into interior rooms—especially those that don’t have exterior walls.
Brightens dark spaces: Hallways, closets, and bathrooms often lack windows. Skylights can fill these areas with natural light, making them feel bigger and more welcoming.
Saves energy: With more daylight flooding in, you rely less on electric lighting during the day, which can lower your energy bills.
Ventilation and views: Many skylights are designed to open, offering fresh air and sky views while maintaining privacy.
For new home construction, skylights can be installed in nearly any roofline and tailored to your interior layout for maximum impact.
Clerestories: High Windows, High Style
Clerestory windows are placed high on a wall—usually above eye level or above standard windows—to bring in light without compromising wall space or privacy.
Soft, ambient lighting: Clerestories let in diffuse, even light throughout the day without glare or direct sun exposure.
Architectural flair: These windows add visual interest to both the interior and exterior of your home and are a favorite in modern and mid-century designs.
Thermal control: Placed strategically, clerestories can enhance passive solar heating in winter and minimize heat in summer.
In custom homes, clerestory windows are often combined with vaulted ceilings or open-concept living spaces for dramatic effect.
Combining Skylights and Clerestories
Why choose one when you can benefit from both? Together, skylights and clerestories can completely change how light flows through your home.
Balanced lighting: Skylights provide overhead illumination while clerestories add horizontal brightness, eliminating dark corners.
Enhanced mood and wellness: Studies show that natural light improves sleep, reduces stress, and supports overall health—making it more than just a design choice.
Better resale value: Homes that feel brighter and more open tend to attract more buyers and hold their value longer.
That’s why many homeowners are including both features in their new home construction projects for functional and aesthetic benefits.
Designing with Light in Mind
When you work with experienced builders, placement is key. Proper orientation and size of your skylights and clerestories depend on your lot, layout, and lifestyle needs. At Diamond Homes, we collaborate closely with homeowners during the design process to maximize natural light while considering energy efficiency and long-term comfort.
Conclusion
Natural light doesn’t just brighten a room—it transforms it. From skylights that open up your ceilings to clerestories that elevate your design, the right choices make all the difference in your custom build. If you're planning a new home construction Spokane, let us help you create a space that glows from the inside out.
Call Diamond Homes today at (208) 555-1234 and let’s design your home around the light you love.
