How to Install Skylight Through Attic
Adding a skylight can increase the light in a room and make it feel more spacious. A well-sealed skylight can also help prevent leaks and odors from entering your home. However, installing a skylight can be tricky because the opening must be carefully framed in order to ensure that it’s structurally sound.
When a ceiling or attic space creates too many obstructions for a framed window, tubular skylights are an ideal solution. These skylights are usually shaped like an open tunnel that allows natural light to enter almost any room in your home.
There are two basic designs for skylights: straight-walled or tapered. The tapered design is more attractive and easier to install than the straight-walled version, but it requires a little more drywall work and a longer light shaft that runs from the roof through the attic (in between the trusses).
Determine the load capacity of your roof and calculate how much weight your new skylight will add to the structure. Then, use a stud finder to locate a spot between the joists that is suitable for your skylight.
Once you have determined a good spot, drill a hole through the attic floor and roof where you want to place the skylight. Locate the four corners of the hole and mark them. Remove any shingles or other obstructions from the area around the skylight.
After the cutout has been made in the attic, raise the skylight up and secure it in place with galvanized roofing nails. If you have a ladder, use it to access the roof for this part of the project.
Next, install a self-adhesive membrane over the bottom of the flange. Stretch the strip across the bottom first, then cut and bend it into the frame on each side. After the bottom of each flange has been covered, install a counterflashing piece, which snaps right on top.
Finally, add rigid insulation to the inside of the tube. This will prevent condensation from forming and allow your skylight to stay warmer during the winter, even when it’s not in use.
In addition, you should also install a water- and ice barrier around the perimeter of your skylight. This can be done with sheet metal flashing or a combination of different materials.
Once the installation is completed, it’s a good idea to caulk all of the joints. 100% silicone caulking will do the job best.
The skylight itself can be installed in a number of ways, but the most common way is to simply mount it to the roof. This is a very common method for most people, and it’s relatively inexpensive.
To do this, you’ll need a ladder and a carpenter’s saw. Depending on the size of the skylight, this might involve cutting through a rafter or other part of the roof.
You might have to reframe the entire roof, too. If you do, this involves doubling the rafters on each side of the opening for your skylight and framing in double headers above and below it.
Did you miss our previous article…
http://www.ltncleaning.co.uk/can-csa-a440-4-window-door-and-skylight-installation/
