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Skylights From "10 Things You Must Know" episode DTEN-111

Here are the 10 Things You Must Know about installing a skylight.

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Skylight Countdown

10. It's easier when you keep it between the lines. Skylight placement is determined mainly by the placement of your home's rafters. These are structural beams that can greatly weaken your home's ability to support itself if they are cut. Plan accordingly, and keep a space plan or blueprint handy before you start cutting sections out of your roof.

9. Peace of mind comes with a price. Like with most home improvement products, when it comes to skylights, quality equals higher cost. There are simple additions that can save you headaches later on. Look for hallmark approved skylights to ensure they resist mold and mildew, and there are many accessories and options available to the skylight of your choice.

8. The only thing you want coming through your roof is sunlight. The roof is where many falls and slips occur around the home, despite the fact that not a lot of time is spent there. Be sure your ladder is the right type and height, and that you are wearing footwear that will give you the traction you need to get the job done.

7. Check for rain before you bring in the light. Weather can be your best friend and worst enemy when it comes to skylights, so be sure your forecast is clear before you attempt to install them.

6. Work your way up so the light comes straight down. Remove the interior sheathing covering your roof to ensure that you aren't cutting into any electrical lines or air conditioning ducts. Then, simply drive four nails or screws in the corners of the box you've marked out for the skylight. This will make it easier to locate your skylight hole when you are on the roof.

5. Unweave the shingles before you cut the hole. Exposing the roof by the shingles will make it easier to reconstruct your roof after the skylight is installed. Remove the full sheet of shingles until your marked hole is exposed, then you can finish the install.

4. Don't buy flashing until you know the pitch. Roofs can have varying degrees of pitch, and knowing yours before you purchase your skylight can save you lots of aggravation. There are a plethora of flashing kits available depending on your particular pitch, so be sure that you're armed with the right information so you can be a more educated do-it-yourselfer.

3. Insulation prevents condensation. Installing a skylight may require more than just a simple drop-in and re-shingle. The interior of your home could need to be slightly altered to accommodate your addition. Be prepared to apply a little drywall and insulation to cut down on condensation and a little elbow grease to make certain that the light you let in doesn't expose less than ideal ceiling space.

2. When it rains, rely on your skylight's automatic brain. Many brands of skylights have an option that allows you to vent your room as well as illuminate it. This can be beneficial where there can be cooking smoke build-up or even a simple seasonal fix, such as opening a skylight, which can be a great alternative to costly air conditioning bills.

1. Get yourself shielded from ice and water. There is a quick and relatively cheap method to keeping your new skylight looking and functioning great: waterproof flashing. This attaches to the flashing that comes in the kit and is an excellent method of diverting water and ice flow away from your opening.

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• When budget is a factor, consider a tubular alternative. If you've analyzed the costs, and skylights appear too expensive, or a small area simply needs natural illumination, a tubular skylight, or sun tube, will fill the bill. These tubes can be installed, in most cases, in 4 to 6 hours. This version of the traditional skylight comes with leak free pre-engineered flashings, just like their larger brethren, without a lot of the headaches traditionally associated with skylight installs.

• Don't let a slippery slope ruin your hard work. An important factor when considering skylights is the slope or tilt of the skylight, which affects solar heat gain. A low slope will admit relatively more solar heat in the summer and less in the winter, exactly the opposite of what is desirable. To help determine what the optimal slope is use this general rule of thumb: You want to achieve a slope equal to your geographical latitude plus 5 to 15 degrees. Research your skylight manufacturer before you buy to see if they offer your specific tilt. This easy step could mean the difference between a good investment and a great one.

• Size does matter, as well as positioning. Equally as important as the slope mentioned above, your skylight size and position on your roof can make or break a smart buying decision. The physical size of the skylight greatly affects the illumination level and temperature of the space below. A good rule to follow is to ensure the skylight size is not more than 5 to 15% of the floor area in a room, dependent on how much window space. Skylights on roofs that face north provide fairly constant but cool illumination. Those on east-facing roofs provide maximum light and solar heat gain in the morning. West-facing skylights provide afternoon sunlight and heat gain. South-facing skylights provide the greatest potential for desirable winter passive solar heat gain than any other location, but often allow unwanted heat gain in the summer.