DIY Network

Tubular Skylight: Basement Installation, Part 1 From "Weekend Handyman" episode WKH-402

Light for the basement!

Paul determines where to make the holes for the second skylight that will go down to the basement. He cuts holes in the floor, ceiling and roof. Once the holes have been cut, the extension tubes are installed.

Time to get busy!

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	Without natural light, the basement was downright gloomy.
	With sunshine now in the space, it's a whole new atmosphere!
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Time: 15 hours over two days.
Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 3 out of 5 on the Weekend Handyman difficulty scale.

Materials:

Safety glasses
Disposable protective coveralls
Work gloves
Skylight kit
Ladder
Electric drill
Keyhole saw
Compass
Reciprocating saw
Hole saw
Coat hanger
Aluminum tape
A wallpaper roller
Roof sealant
Pile seal
Laser level
Utility knife
Tape measure
2-1/2 in. screw
Lumber crayon

Basement Skylight Installation

1. Drill a small hole in the floor of the closet

2. Using a coat hanger as a drill bit, drill through the hole in the closet floor through to the basement ceiling (figure A).

3. Take a hole saw and drill into the floor (figure B) so that the floor joists can be seen.

4. Take measurements between the floor joists to establish exact center (figure C). Mark an x.

5. To line up exact center of joists with ceiling and roof, use a laser level. Set on x and laser marks the ceiling.

6. Take a spade bit and drill a hole big enough for a laser light to shine on through (figure D).

7. Up in the attic, drill a hole into the laser dot through the roof (figure E).

8. Cut hole and install flashing on roof. Then, cut the hole in the ceiling of the closet (figure F).

9. With a key hole saw, cut hole in the floor of the closet (figure G). Finish cut with a reciprocating saw in the ceiling of the basement.

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

RESOURCES :

Tubular Skylight
Brand Name: Solatube
Model Number: 10", 14"
Manufacturer: Solatube International, Inc.
2210 Oak Ridge Dr.
Vista, CA 92081
Contact: Robert Phillips, Marketing Director
Telephone: 1-800-966-7652
Website: www.solatube.com

GUESTS :

Thomas S. Gilbertson, General Manager
Solar Midwest, Inc.
12829 Industrial Park Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55441
Telephone: 1-763-557-5702
Website: www.solarmidwest.com