How To Build A Skylight

[rustylocke]

Just wondering what would be the best way to build about a 2'x4' skylight. I was thinking maybe plexy-glass, and just build a frame around it. What do you think?

 

[neptunesrevenge]

I know a guy who used the back window of a truck for one, he just cut the hole to shape and made a wood frame to hood it in place, then he used flashing at the bottom, and roofing cement to seal it up. That was 4 years ago, and as of may of this year when I was back down there he said it has never leaked.

 

[bgarrett]

I started making my own skylights in 1978. So far I have installed 4 in 3 houses. I have never had any problem of any kind. I take a storm door apart. Thats two pieces of tempered glass. Use one per skylight, insert into a shingled roof as if the glass was a large shingle. I caulk well. The storm doors are often free. I used a sliding shower door in the same way for a one car garage.

 

[ckucia]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I've been looking into the possibility of something similary, although with the weather recently turning, it will likely have to wait for spring.

Most skylights seem to be either tempered glass or polycarbonate.

As it snows (a lot) in my neck o' the woods, I think the poly might be a better choice as it can be curved for more strength (its also cheaper).

Been doing a bit of research and a lot of rodders and bikers have build simple setups to curve heated polycarbonate over a mold. Also, the thinner (1/16") sheet can be curved up to a point w/o heating.

Considering a 24" x 24" skylight is well over $100 (often closer to $200) and a 24" x 24" sheet of polycarbonate is about $24, it seems like this could be economical.

I just wonder about things like codes, house resale, long-term durability, etc.

I also worry about a clear window into the place I'll have all my tools. My garage already has two windows on the side, but I'm building locking plywood covers for security when I'm not home. Adding that to a skylight might be more of a challenge.

 

[hidollartoys]

you can find discarded dual pain windows that are tempered. You should use tempered windows for impact resistance (HAIL. ICE, ETC). In my area these windows are discarded because the wood frame is rotten. Remove the frame from around the window and construct a new frame from treated wood. You will need to construct a curb on the roof to support the window and provide a raised frame that can be flashed.

Unless you really know what you are doing this and other home made designs will LEAK. If you really dont know what you are doing, you should purchase a Velux roof window and corresponding flashing kit and install per their instructions. THESE DO NOT LEAK!!!!!!!! I know this because I have repaired or replaced just about every other sky lite out there.

 

[blkhonda1991]

you can find discarded dual pain windows that are tempered. You should use tempered windows for impact resistance (HAIL. ICE, ETC). In my area these windows are discarded because the wood frame is rotten. Remove the frame from around the window and construct a new frame from treated wood. You will need to construct a curb on the roof to support the window and provide a raised frame that can be flashed.

Unless you really know what you are doing this and other home made designs will LEAK. If you really dont know what you are doing, you should purchase a Velux roof window and corresponding flashing kit and install per their instructions. THESE DO NOT LEAK!!!!!!!! I know this because I have repaired or replaced just about every other sky lite out there.

this is the exact reason we dont put skylights in houses and try to talk the owner out of them because its not a question of if but when will the skylight leak, we like to keep roof penetrations to a minimum

 

[fireman]

If you really dont know what you are doing, you should purchase a Velux roof window and corresponding flashing kit and install per their instructions. THESE DO NOT LEAK!!!!!!!! I know this because I have repaired or replaced just about every other sky lite out there.

Absolutely correct. They are the best on the market. I've installed at least 25 Velux skylights over the past 20 years and have never had one leak.

 

[JohnK007]

The Velux in our family room has been there since '96 and hasn't so much as leaked a drop. (knock on wood)

 

[PAToyota]

Another vote for Velux - top quality!

Code requires tempered or laminated glass or something like polycarbonate for impact resistance. Personally, I don't like tempered because when it breaks the whole glazing will come down - admittedly in small pieces, so you don't get injured. But it still means that you then have an open hole in the roof. Laminated glass (like a windshield) or polycarbonate will crack, but remain intact to (mostly) keep the opening sealed. Not to mention if (for some reason) you are the one on the roof that falls into the skylight, you aren't going to go through it.

 

[tatra]

as mentioned about codes.........not allowed in my area as we are under a flight path..........supposedly about noise,,,,,,,,,,,i think it's to protect us from blue ice

 

[ckucia]

as mentioned about codes.........not allowed in my area as we are under a flight path..........supposedly about noise,,,,,,,,,,,i think it's to protect us from blue ice

Tatra,

I hadn't thought of that, but I am under the approach flightpath for Cleveland Hopkins - one of the reasons we want to move. When the weather's bad, the planes come in so low I can see the heads of the passengers in the windows at night.


Everyone else,

Thanks for the comments/suggestions.

 

[rburke65]

I vote "YES" for the Velux!! 25 years ago and no trouble. Worth every penny.