Skylights are the second-hardest window-treatment problem in OC homes after wall-of-glass sliders. They're out of reach, they sit at an angle, and the sun moves across them throughout the day. Skylight shading is almost always motorized because manual operation isn't practical.
Heat, glare, fade, and reach.
Heat gain
Skylights, especially south- and west-facing, pass direct sun into a room from above. In OC's summer, that's significant heat load on the AC.
Glare
Direct overhead sun creates harsh light that washes out screens, art, and furniture upholstery.
Fade
UV exposure from skylights fades fabric and wood faster than vertical-window exposure because the angle and duration of direct sun is greater.
Unreachability
Most skylights sit 10+ feet above the floor. Manual operation requires a pole or a ladder. Motorization is almost always the right answer.
Three skylight shading approaches.
Cellular shades (Hunter Douglas Duette)
Honeycomb cellular shades with thermal cores are the most common skylight shading choice. The cellular construction insulates against heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Custom-cut to fit the specific skylight frame, mounted on a track that runs along the angled surface.
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Motorized solar roller shades
Solar shades in 3% or 5% openness for glare control without blocking the view of the sky entirely. Useful in rooms where blocking the skylight completely would defeat the point of having it. Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades and Lutron roller systems both work.
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Blackout roller shades
For bedrooms and theaters with skylights, blackout rollers with side channels block almost all light. Cellular blackout (Duette) is the alternative if thermal performance also matters.
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If you're installing skylight shades from scratch, motorize. The cost difference is real but the operational difference is bigger.— Field notes from skylight installs
Motorization is essentially required.
Manual skylight shades exist but they're a pole-and-ladder problem. Almost every skylight install we do is motorized. Two common motorization paths cover most installations.
Hunter Douglas PowerView
Battery-powered motors on Duette and other HD products. Pebble Pro app control and Apple Home / Alexa / Google voice control.
Lutron-controlled motorization
Caséta, RadioRA 3, or Sivoia QS depending on the system scale. Better when the skylight shades need to coordinate with the rest of the home's shading.
Battery vs hardwired
For retrofits, battery-powered motors are usually the right answer — wires would need to come down through the attic. For new construction, hardwired is preferable.
Astronomical timeclock
The astronomical timeclock built into Lutron and HD PowerView drops the shade when direct sun hits the skylight angle, then raises after the sun has moved past.
Products that work for skylights.
Hunter Douglas Duette
Cellular shades with thermal cores.
Explore →Hunter Douglas PowerView
Motorization for HD skylight shades.
Explore →Lutron Caséta
Wireless control on smaller installs.
Explore →Lutron Sivoia QS
For whole-home installs where skylights coordinate with other shading.
Explore →Designer Roller Shades
In solar or blackout fabrics.
Explore →Lutron programming and commissioning
Scene programming for astronomical timeclock automation on skylight shades.
Explore →Installed across Orange County, including Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Yorba Linda, and Huntington Beach. Call (949) 407-9114 to schedule a consultation. We'll measure the skylight, check the roof orientation and sun exposure, and recommend a shade type and motorization approach. Typical lead time is 4-6 weeks. More service-area details →
Start with a walkthrough.
Schedule a complimentary in-home consultation. We design, source, and install across Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Laguna, San Clemente, and the rest of Orange County.