Which Way Should Skylights Face?

Skylights on roofs that face north provide fairly constant but cool illumination. Those on east-facing roofs provide maximum light and solar heat gain in the morning. West-facing skylights provide afternoon sunlight and heat gain.

What angle should skylights be?

A general rule of thumb is to add 5 to 15 degrees to your location's latitude to get the perfect slope for your skylight. Fort Collins is at 40.5° north latitude so the ideal slope would be 45.5° to 55.5° for a south facing installation. Check with an installer to see if an increased angle is necessary.

Why are skylights bad?

With skylights, even if you solve interior issues of condensation, you still have potential problems outside. The comparatively huge amounts of heat lost through skylights compared to the rest of your roof will melt snow and can lead to ice dams and consequently the dreaded leak.