How to Install a Skylight

Nothing enhances the beauty of a room like natural light, and one of the best ways to get the most out of the sun’s rays is to install a skylight. Skylights are especially effective in kitchens and hallways where there is usually only one main light.

Many homeowners think that installing a skylight is something that they cannot be done without engaging a trades person, but with a little careful planning, research, and a bit of patience, anyone can put in a skylight and let the sun shine into any room, large or small. 
 
Before you begin the installation of your skylight, make sure that you have all the proper permits and that the location you have chosen is not below attic space.  If it is below the attic space, then extra materials will be needed for a drop box. 

In our opinion, the best type of skylight is the "white translucent" variety because it allows and intensifies available light, even on cloudy days, but does not let ultra violet or infra red rays to penetrate and heat up your room.  Of course, you really need to consider having a ventilated skylight which helps to remove the hot air in any space.

Before you begin the actual construction, make sure you have all the tools that you will need during the construction and that they are within easy reach. Your larger pieces will include the skylight, two by four beams for the skylight’s frame, supplies to finish the ceiling, (such as drywall,) roofing hardware, and two different types of flashing to provide a barrier against rain water. Your tool belt or kit should contain a hammer, a flat pry bar, tin snips, an electric circular saw (do not use a cordless for this), and a utility blade. Always wear safety goggles when you are working with any kind of tools.

First, center your skylight by drilling a hole where you want the center of it to sit. Next, cut the opening of the roof with your circular saw. Once you have the space opened up, create your frame with the two by fours, using header joists to ensure strong support. Once the frame is complete, you can then cut away the shingles on all sides with your utility blade no more than three inches all the way around. Attach your skylight, making sure the middle is centered on the hole you had created earlier.

Once your skylight is in place, you can install your flashing to make sure that water cannot drip in between the roof and the unit. Install roofing paper under the shingles in strips, starting with the bottom and then moving to the sides before finishing the top. Use your pry bar to carefully move any nails that you need to. Finally, install the rest of the flashing and make sure they are attached to the skylight, not to the roof, so that no water can get between them. 

Nova Group often install skylights to their kithomes and granny flats to highlight areas in darkened spaces and for a creative effect.