How do you light a skylight?

[lspencer534]

Let me explain: Until today there was a 2' x 4' skylight in my living room. It was quite old, and no one could stop it from leaking. Today is was sealed over and shingled.

Of course, I miss the sun light in the room, although the room is still airy. There is a honey comb insulated cover for the inside of the skylight to prevent heat loss/entry. I want artificially light the skylight, for appearance if nothing else.

I can get electricity to the skylight, although with difficulty. Question: What kind of light do I use? I want the light to be spread out evenly behind the cloth cover, like natural light is. All I can think of is neon, but that's going to cause a bright spot along the length of the bulb. Incandescent seems to be out of the question due to heat and even worse bright spots.

Any ideas?

[marrepka]

If you put in a skylight, it would let in the natural sunlight. I think that would look best. :leaving:

[simpleman68]

You might consider a flexible strip of LEDs around the perimeter of the frame and hidden behind a shallow crown moulding.
You can change the color of the lights to get closer to a more natural looking light and they emit very little heat with low amp draw.

I did this type thing in my home theater around the sidewalls using rope lights.
The light cast is very even and only the reflection is seen as their view is obscured by trim.
Scott

[sanchez]

Grow light. Then plant some dank assed buds and toke like a wild man.

[simpleman68]

Sorry for the crapola photo..

The red glow at the top right along the line where the wall meets the ceiling.
That is a rope light hidden by crown moulding that I installed ~2" below the ceiling instead of installing it at a 45 degree angle and touching both planes.

With LEDs, you could achieve a nice look and they are very thin and easily hidden.
Scott

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/simpleman68/Home%20Theater/RtWall_zps6752b586.jpg

[lspencer534]

You might consider a flexible strip of LEDs around the perimeter of the frame and hidden behind a shallow crown moulding.
You can change the color of the lights to get closer to a more natural looking light and they emit very little heat with low amp draw.

I did this type thing in my home theater around the sidewalls using rope lights.
The light cast is very even and only the reflection is seen as their view is obscured by trim.
Scott

I wouldn't need to conceal the bulbs behind moulding since theylll be hidden by the retractable cloth cover. A flexible strip of LEDs sounds like the way to go.

Thanks! :cert:

[lspencer534]

If you put in a skylight, it would let in the natural sunlight. I think that would look best. :leaving:

:slap:

[simpleman68]

I wouldn't need to conceal the bulbs behind moulding since theylll be hidden by the retractable cloth cover. A flexible strip of LEDs sounds like the way to go.

Thanks! :cert:

Gotcha. I was picturing a louvered or patterned cover like a diffuser.

I'll bet with a good light strip you could tailor the hue to be very close to natural light behind the cover.
Scott

[lspencer534]

Gotcha. I was picturing a louvered or patterned cover like a diffuser.

I'll bet with a good light strip you could tailor the hue to be very close to natural light behind the cover.
Scott

I hate to bother you with tedium, but about how much would a 12' LED light strip cost? Thanks.

[mrvette]

I hate to bother you with tedium, but about how much would a 12' LED light strip cost? Thanks.

I forget where I was but I paid like 6 bux for a 50 bulb LED light set that surely will do many passes over the length

just use hooks on either end and run a box with outlet, leaving the fuse on the strand intact....plug in....

[simpleman68]

I forget where I was but I paid like 6 bux for a 50 bulb LED light set that surely will do many passes over the length

just use hooks on either end and run a box with outlet, leaving the fuse on the strand intact....plug in....

While you don't need to break the bank, you won't get 12' of LED strip that has a color shift module for less than $40-50 that I'm aware of.

Some great links on home theater forums of guys building custom length kits for ~$75-100 but they are cut to spec and have quality accompanying hardware.

Check Fleabay and AVS Forum for price comparos. :cert:
Scott

[DukeAllen]

Hang a disco ball and get funky.

[Bill]

Hang your dirty underwear and get funky.

Fixed.

[Jobaka]

How do you light a skylight?

From the outside.
With the sun.

[lspencer534]

Hang a disco ball and get funky.

Disco Ball spinning (background video) FREE DONWLOAD - YouTube