Natural light can be brought into a room by using skylights.Allowing hot air to escape can help keep a cooler in the house.If you follow a few steps, you will be on your way to having a house with a skylights.
Step 1: You can measure the slope of your roof.
Most skylights are made with specific roof pitches in mind.Measure the pitch of your roof before buying a skylight.To calculate the pitch of your roof, use a level with a ruler on the side to measure the roof run and height.Measure from the side of the house to the corner and mark the spot with a pencil.Use the bubble on your level to make sure this line is level.Measure the distance between the mark and the underside of the roof using a tape measure.The vertical length of your roof will be divided by 12.There are skylights designed for use on corrugated metal roofs.
Step 2: From the inside, mark the location of the skylights.
You can mark the location of your choice inside the house.To make a small hole in the ceiling, use a hammer.You can check to see if there is any plumbing or electrical wires at this location.It is usually easier to find a new place for the skylight if there is anything in the way.Plumbing and wires can be re-routed around the location.The opening should be between 2 rafters.The grooves on the skylights should be aligned just below the lap of the roofing.
Step 3: From inside, cut through the ceiling.
You will have to cut the ceiling from the inside if you have a lot of space between the roof and ceiling.You should be able to make a cut from the top of the roof.Cut through the insulation and remove the drywall.
Step 4: Drive the screws through the roof.
You should drive four deck screws through the roof after you cut a hole in the ceiling to make sure there is no plumbing or wires.
Step 5: Remove the shingles from the roof.
At least 7 inches (18 cm) on each side is required to remove the shingles.You can use the shingles again after installing the skylight if you use this method.
Step 6: To make the cuts, mark the sides of the skylights.
If you want to cut through the roof, you need to use chalk line between the four screws.You can cut through three of the sides with a circular saw.Don't put weight on the cutout.Make sure the roof cuts are accurate.A special blade is needed to cut metal on a corrugated metal roof.
Step 7: You can cut through the fourth edge of your cutout.
While you make the fourth cut, have someone hold the cutout up from the inside.The cutout won't fall and hurt your furniture.
Step 8: The opening needs to be prepared.
There are two types of skylights, one mounted on a curb and one that has a frame in place.If you have a frame in place, the sheathing will fit beneath your skylight to help prevent water leaks.You need to secure two by sixes along the edges of the opening for curb-mounted skylights.Attach the frame in place skylights with screws around the perimeter of the opening on the roof.Attach the self-adhesive strip to the bottom edge of the opening.One inch of this glue should be folded into the opening of the roof.To create the curb for curb-mounted skylights, you need to measure the sides of the opening and cut four 2x6s to fit along the upper edges.Put the pieces together into a shape.Make sure the box is square and put it around the roof opening.To attach the curb to the roof involves driving the nails in at an angle.
Step 9: To get onto the roof, pass the skylight's frame through the rough opening.
Take the frame from the inside of the opening and put it on the roof.The chance of the window being damaged is reduced if the skylight is secured.When working with the skylights, be careful so that you don't damage them.
Step 10: The skylight needs to be lowered into place.
Lower the light onto the roof by resting the skylight against the bottom edge of the opening.If the skylight is curb-mounted, you need to lift the window over the curbs and place it on top of the sills.The upper flap of the roof has skylights for corrugated metal.To slide it under the top flap of the roof you will need to make two cuts in the roofing.The roof is protected from water leaking.
Step 11: Attach the skylights to the roof.
The metal brackets on the frame's sides have screws through them.Attach the skylights to the rafters with screws.Curb-mounted skylights will be attached to the curb.A self-tapping sheet metal screw will be used to secure the skylights in corrugated metal roofs.
Step 12: There was a felt on the roof around the skylights edges.
The roofing felt onto the roof up close to the edges of the skylights.It should surround the entire perimeter of the skylight.
Step 13: The edges of the skylight should be covered.
A curb that extends 6 inches past the skylight's sides is recommended by some skylights.It will act like tape and provide another barrier against leaks.Start at the bottom edge.The ends should be extended past the corners.To create two points from a 45 degree angle, cut the membrane from both corners.The top and bottom points of the roof should be secured.Put the membrane on the sides and on top of the skylight after applying it to the bottom.Silicone sealant should be used to seal the skylights in corrugated roofs.There is a generous amount of sealant around the opening.
Step 14: You should replace the shingles.
The roof shingles need to be put back in place on top of the skylight.The membrane will seal around the nails, so don't worry about them going through it.
Step 15: Attach the bottom part of the flashing.
A metal piece will slip over the bottom of the skylight.The side edges of the frame or curb are where it should be.The roofing felt and step flashing help keep the water out of the skylights.The skylights with a frame in place will be nailed directly to the roof of the bottom sill.The skylights will not be nailed to the roof.The flashings should only be on the side of the curb.
Step 16: Put shingles on the side of the building.
Over the exposed edges of the flashing, add shingles.
Step 17: Along the sides add the rest of the step.
Put one of the L-shaped step flashing pieces over the top half of shingles.If you want to cover it with a shingle, place it on the top outside counter.The rest of the step is flashing.The next piece should be overlap the next step flashing piece on top of the shingle and secured with a nail on the top outside corner.There is a shingle on top of the flashing piece.On both sides of the skylight, there are flashing pieces and shingles.
Step 18: If you want to cover, counter flash.
The counter-flashing will either surround all four sides or just be on the side of the skylight.It's important to install the counter flashing correctly in order to prevent water leaks through your skylights.The counterflashing should be put in place.Counter-flashing protects against rain and snow.
Step 19: The saddle has flashing.
The top flashing piece is called the saddle flashing.The saddle should be slid into place when the top layer of shingles is lifted.There is a piece underneath the shingles.Make sure to leave 4 inches (10 cm) exposed when adding a layer of shingles on top of the flashing.
Step 20: You can make a frame for the roof and ceiling openings.
Make frames from 2x4 lengths of wood by measuring the sides of the openings.To hold the rest of the light shaft frame in place, attach them to the roof and ceiling.
Step 21: Cut four 2x4s to fit between the corners of the skylights and ceilings.
The basic frame for the light shaft will be formed by four 2x4 pieces of wood.Cut the pieces so that they are the correct length to fit between the corners of the openings.To fit securely against the ceiling and roof surfaces, you will need to cut the ends at an angle.
Step 22: The width between each beam is 16 inches.
There are additional beams between the frames of the ceiling.The studs will be used for your installation.Again, use 2x4s to create these beams and nail them in place.
Step 23: There is foam insulation around the outside of the shaft.
Attach rigid foam insulation around the outside of the light shaft frame you just created.
Step 24: While on a ladder frame the skylights from inside.
The skylight's interior support should be covered with 1/2 inch thick drywall.If you need to paint the interior around the skylight, use the same color paint as your ceiling.