VELUX Skylights Brighten O'More College of Design Alumni Show House

FORT MILL, S.C., July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A ca. 1904 Queen Anne Victorian home in the Franklin, TN historic district has been restored to splendor as a high-style residence and serves as the annual O'More Alumni Show House for 2014.

O'More College of Design is a four-year private college in Franklin and some two dozen alumni collaborated on the restoration of the 6,000 square-foot home which had been used commercially for more than 50 years and then sat vacant for a decade.

JoAnne Haynes, project designer, and an O'More alum, says that each of the former students was assigned a space in the home.  "The space we named 'The Loft' was the attic which was completely unfinished," she says.  "With the addition of skylights, it was an amazing transformation.  It went from a dark, black, unusable space to a wonderful, well-lit multi-purpose room.  The other big thing was being able to retrofit modern skylights into an older structure."

Kirk Trull, construction superintendent with Thrive Homes, says that three bedroom and three baths were added to the upstairs area in addition to the light-filled loft.  "There were no windows other than a small dormer which didn't allow light to enter at the top of the stairwell so adding skylights allowed us to get natural light from above.  The solar powered fresh air skylights are perfect for the space," Trull says, "because not only do they let in a lot of natural light but they can be opened with a remote control to let fresh air into the space.  Plus, if someone wants to use it as a TV or movie room the skylights have blackout shades."

Lauren Devens of Lauren Devens Interiors describes the loft as "a relaxed, cheerful, whimsical space." I think installing skylights is a great design element to incorporate cheer into the space.  You walk into the space and you feel good."

"The O'More Show House restoration is a real-life example of how skylights can transform a previously underutilized space both aesthetically and functionally," says Ross Vandermark, national product manager for VELUX America.

Vandermark says that modern, Energy Star-qualified solar powered fresh air skylights can improve indoor air quality through passive ventilation, greatly reduce dependence on expensive artificial light sources, and help reduce energy costs. "They carry a 10-year no leak warranty, have sensors to close them automatically in case of rain, and operate by remote control."

Add stylish and energy efficient solar powered binds, and the skylights and blinds, as well as installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit.  

Adding blinds, which are available in designer colors and patterns, to the skylights further increases energy efficiency to reduce power bills.  A blackout blind can improve the energy performance rating of the skylights as much as 45 percent, a light filtering blind by as much as 39 percent, and a Venetian blind by as much as 34 percent.

A combination of the tax credit, plus a $200 cash rebate direct from VELUX from now until August 15, 2014, make the numbers favor homebuyers.  A venting fresh air model, with all the bells and whistles, can be less expensive than a fixed skylight for either replacement purposes or for a new installation.

To learn more about skylights and the rebate, and to find a certified installer in your area, visit www.whyskylights.com.

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SOURCE VELUX America