Choosing the Right Skylight for Your Home - Ryan Lucev | HBP

Описание: Thinking about adding skylights to your home but not sure where to start?
In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we break down everything you need to know about skylights. From design and placement to cost, performance, and long-term value.

Joining us is Ryan Lucev from Clearview Skylights, who shares real-world insight from years in the building industry. We cover why skylights have exploded in popularity, the difference between Velux, tubular, and solar skylights, and the design mistakes that can cost you thousands if you get them wrong.

This episode is essential listening if you’re:

Designing a new home

Renovating or extending

Considering skylights but worried about heat, leaks, or maintenance

Wanting more natural light without sacrificing energy efficiency

What you’ll learn:

The three main types of skylights and where each works best

Why orientation (north, west, east, south) matters more than size

How skylight placement affects cost, light quality, and wow factor

The biggest design mistakes builders and homeowners make

Why Velux skylights dominate high-end residential design

How skylights impact ventilation, energy efficiency, and resale value

If you want a home that feels brighter, more open, and genuinely special, this episode will help you make smarter design decisions from day one.

Chapters:

01:00 – Ryan’s Background in Building & Skylights
04:05 – Why Skylights Transform a Home
06:02 – What to Consider Before Choosing a Skylight
10:41 – The 3 Types of Skylights Explained
13:02 – Why Sun Direction Matters (North vs South)
15:04 – Skylight Placement Mistakes to Avoid
16:32 – Why Skylights Should Sit Near External Walls
18:41 – Flat Roof vs Pitched Roof Skylights
20:20 – Designing Skylights Around Lighting & Services
22:17 – Why Velux Skylights Are Different
24:17 – Heat, Glare & Energy Efficiency Explained
25:55 – Fixed vs Opening Skylights
28:08 – Rain Sensors, Ventilation & Automation
30:19 – Are Skylights Fragile or Unsafe?
32:03 – Common Installation Errors & DIY Issues
33:38 – Designing Skylights for Kitchens & Living Areas
35:45 – Choosing the Right Skylight Size
38:27 – Multiple Skylights vs One Large Feature
41:22 – Skylights Near Roof Ridges Explained
42:52 – Retrofitting Skylights into Existing Homes
45:37 – Trusses vs Stick Roofs
48:07 – Cleaning & Maintenance Reality
51:26 – New Build vs Retrofit Cost Differences
54:14 – When to Visit a Skylight Showroom
55:56 – The $10,000 Skylight Upgrade Ryan Would Choose

About Our Guest:

Ryan Lucev is a registered builder and the founder of Clearview Skylights, one of Australia’s leading specialists in residential skylight design and installation.

With a background spanning roof plumbing, carpentry, site supervision, and construction management for major volume builders, Ryan brings a rare end-to-end understanding of how skylights should be designed, detailed, and installed properly. His experience covers both new builds and complex renovations, where correct placement, structure, and waterproofing are critical.

Ryan and his team operate Australia’s largest dedicated skylight showroom in Perth, allowing homeowners, designers, and builders to see full-scale skylight installations before committing to a design. This hands-on approach helps clients avoid common mistakes and make informed decisions around light, ventilation, energy efficiency, and long-term performance.

Known for his practical, no-nonsense advice, Ryan is passionate about using skylights to create homes that feel brighter, more open, and genuinely special when designed correctly from the start.

Clearview Skylights

Website: https://clearviewskylights.com.au/
Instagram:   / clearviewskylights  
Pinterest:   / clearviewskylightsperth  
TikTok:   / clearviewskylights  
Facebook:   / clearviewskylights  

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