Getting natural light into a bathroom especially a small bathroom can enlarge the feel of the room.
While it actually adds no space, it does make a room feel larger and give a small room a much more appealing atmosphere.
How to add light in a bathroom Having natural light in a bathroom during the daylight hours can be very pleasing.
This can be done with the addition of windows if your bathroom is on an outside wall, or by using skylights if your bathroom is an inside room.
Different types of windows There are different types of windows that can be installed in your bathroom.
The most desirable are windows that open as they will add some ventilation.
However, you should not depend on a window alone to ventilate your bathroom.
Windows, unless they are extremely large, do no offer adequate ventilation in relation to the room size.
The other thing to consider is that in most areas there are chilly times of the year when having the bathroom window open is not desirable.
Casement windows- which are hinged vertically operate with a crank.
Sliding windows-have tracks top and bottom to allow them to open sideways.
Awning windows-are horizontally hinged to swing in and out.
Stationery windows-remain stationery and do not offer ventilation, but will admit light.
The placement of windows in a bathroom can also be a bit tricky.
Since this is a private space, you will want to think how and where to locate them.
Windows installed higher in the wall may be an answer in some cases.
Types of skylights Skylights can be very nice in a bathroom because they admit natural light without privacy concerns.
They can also be the answer if your bathroom is not on an outside wall where you could install a window.
The most common skylight is the bubble or dome style.
This can be good on a flat roof because it will better shed water.
There are also flat-profile roof windows available for those who do not prefer the bubble style.
These two styles of skylight will work if your bathroom is under a roof.
Installing a skylight is also possible if your bathroom is in a lower level of the house, and is not directly under the roof.
A tubular skylight can be used for this application.
This will work if your bathroom is only the distance of the rafters or if it is many feet lower.
Tubular skylights are usually not as large as the traditional skylights, but are offered in various diameters.
Choosing a skylight with climate in mind Skylights are much more energy efficient today and can have coating that filters out the sun's rays, stop heat loss or block unwanted heat in hot areas.
When you shop consider what features in a skylight will work best in your climate.
Do some research, find out which type of skylight or window is the best for your bathroom, and of course, check your local building codes.