Skylights: Good idea or bad idea?

[Bennylava]

I'm something of a lighting enthusiast. So naturally I'm a fan of skylights. Never had any on a house I lived in, although I want some someday. But are they a good idea for your garage? I have a roofer friend that says they always leak. But it seems like with modern technology, there must be a way to prevent that.

So what are your thoughts? And if your garage has a skylight, I'd love to see a pic.

 

[oldcarpenter]

They are great lighting, however in reality they are holes in the roof.


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[lonestardiver]

They are great lighting, however in reality they are holes in the roof.


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This ^^^ and depending are what part of the country you live in they are hail magnets.

Of consideration is the type of roof you have as well. If not metal construction you can have several layers of water resistance to work with...sealing on wood deck, roofing felt, and shingles. Metal not quite so much.

 

[tdkkart]

If I were in Texas I'd consider them because you're weather is much more forgiving, none of the repeated freeze/thaw cycles every winter here is the great white north. Every skylight I've seen here had signs of moisture in the ceiling around it.

 

[JRC3]

I had my roof done this year and had the roofers put the tops for some sun tunnels in for me to hookup inside. They are small 14" but I am blown away at the light that pours out of them. One is in a bathroom with no window, and the other will be in a hallway. Right now that one isn't hooked up and it floods the entire attic with light.

What I like about sun tunnels is that they are stamped from a single piece of metal and they are round just like a flue or turtle vent. No step type flashing or seams.

 

[James-W]

We don't have them in our house, but I do know a few people who have them in their house. People who have them really like them, they do let in a lot of light, but you can have issues with them.

 

[Steve W.]

I don't have one in the garage (or shop), but I do have one like JRC3 posted. It's also in a bathroom with no windows and is only 10". It was installed about 20 years ago, not long after we moved in. Roofers went around it quite nicely a couple of years later with no problems. Last year, we noticed a bit of water dripping from the bathroom ceiling. Did not have to search very long before finding the flashing was broken. It was plastic, had gotten brittle and broke. Called the company, they sent a new METAL flashing.

I'm not too far from JRC3 here is southwest oHIo. We do get snow, but not nearly enough to cover the dome. That tube provides a LOT of light. Would I do it again? Let's just say that it would take some serious convincing to talk me into putting another hole in the roof, but it would at least be considered.

.

 

[kbs2244]

stick built shop on the IL/WI state line
heated when working in it
5 plus years with 2 sky lights
the roofing crew brought in the local "sky light guy" for an experienced install
no leaks or condensation problems

 

[danski0224]

I'm something of a lighting enthusiast. So naturally I'm a fan of skylights. Never had any on a house I lived in, although I want some someday. But are they a good idea for your garage? I have a roofer friend that says they always leak. But it seems like with modern technology, there must be a way to prevent that.

So what are your thoughts? And if your garage has a skylight, I'd love to see a pic.

Like anything else, installation is key.

Velux is the standard, and then you need their flashing kit, which can cost as much as the bare skylight itself. They call them "roof windows".

If you buy "deck mount" skylights, then the flashing needs to be replaced when the roof is replaced.

A "curb mount" skylight may provide other options for flashing and may be less apt to leak over time because it can sit much higher above the roof deck. The curb mount fixture can be replaced more easily if there is a problem because it isn't woven/flashed into the shingles.

Those round bubbles/tunnels also offer a lot of light and are one piece and hard to break.

 

[ssdave]

....

 

[ericm]

We have some cheap HD plastic bubble skylights on the barn (we had it re-roofed with galvanized 20 years ago). They do add light but only certain times of day. They leak because the install was not done well. They're not great for wildfire resistance. I wish we hadn't done them.

OTOH our house came with skylights. We replaced those cheap HD plastic bubble skylights with Velux solar powered remote control skylights and they're great. They let in some light in the winter but more important they help ventilate the house on summer evenings when it cools off outside. Opening the skylights makes a big difference. But they were not cheap.

 

[steve308]

Never had a leak crack or problem of any sort with the skylights in our family room. Best thing I ever did was have them removed when I had the house re-roofed.

 

[gearhead1]

I put in two in my shop when I built it. They let in a lot of light and they don’t leak if installed properly.

 

[acer66]

Like anything else, installation is key.

Velux is the standard, and then you need their flashing kit, which can cost as much as the bare skylight itself. They call them "roof windows".

This, properly installed they are basically trouble free.
I lived in a house that had close trees on the south side so the house was constantly in the shade but the owner put skylights in, one leaked because not being properly installed, but they made the place so bright, really liked it.

If you are in a hot sunny climate I would not put them in unless they have some sort of shades.

 

[MattRMagnum]

I've a skylight on this house, and had them on my old house. One of the ones in my old house did leak, but that was due to the previous owner repairing the roofing right around the skylight itself to fix some damage, and causing a problem. I hired a roofer to come out, remove it, repair everything, and re-install it, and never had problems with it again.

I wouldn't mind doing some sun tunnels or skylights on my garage, now that you mention it.

 

[JRC3]

I misspoke earlier, mine are the 10" tunnels. They make 14" and 22" too.

 

[Git]

I have a 3 stall garage, but the double stall has a second floor over it and the third, single stall has it's own roof.

Garage was drywalled when we bought it. I cut a 5 1/2' square opening in the 'back half' of the roof (can't see it from the street) and installed two skylights. (I went with some real cheapies from Lowes at the time). Drywalled everything, cleaned up the exposed trusses and created a small, 'light' storage area where before there was none. I am very pleased with the results

Never had any problems with leaks. (The second story roof dumps rain water right on to this roof) One of the se days I should upgrade them to something better, but these have worked quite well. My main work area is now under the skylight

Link to something similar to mine at Lowes
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Skyview-Fixed-Skylight-Actual-28-25-in-x-50-25-in/4330612

 

[manwithtools]

I have a 3 stall garage, but the double stall has a second floor over it and the third, single stall has it's own roof.

Garage was drywalled when we bought it. I cut a 5 1/2' square opening in the 'back half' of the roof (can't see it from the street) and installed two skylights. (I went with some real cheapies from Lowes at the time). Drywalled everything, cleaned up the exposed trusses and created a small, 'light' storage area where before there was none. I am very pleased with the results

Never had any problems with leaks. (The second story roof dumps rain water right on to this roof) One of the se days I should upgrade them to something better, but these have worked quite well. My main work area is now under the skylight

Link to something similar to mine at Lowes
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Skyview-Fixed-Skylight-Actual-28-25-in-x-50-25-in/4330612

Your climate is not a great reference for skylight leaks. If you live in the South or the Pacific Northwest, your experience will be quite different. After living in a house in Middle TN for 15 years with skylights, I'd never have another. Any penetration in a roof that is less than absolutely necessary needs to be avoided.

 

[WisJim]

I put two Velux skylghts in our sunroom about 25 years ago. I redid the roof after a few years because they leaked so badly, and they haven't leaked since then, but I get a lot of condensation on them which drips from the bottom edge, about as bad as a slight leak. I wouldn't do it again, although I have friends who love theirs. My roof is fairly low pitch (less than 3/12) and the friends have more like 8/12 roof pitch.

 

[nadogail]

I was associated with a bicycle shop in 1970, the shop was burglarized one night by somebody entering through a Skylight.

The shop owner, after repairing the glass, added steel bars inside to prevent a recurrence.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I installed a couple Velux operating skylights 31 years ago. Really like them . Zero issues. Followed instructions, pulled off existing shingles to do it right.
5:12 pitch Tamko shingles.
Did one on a shore house -non operating - miss being able to open them. Crazy winds there- no issues so far 5 years.

 

[finn]

We have one in the Az house. 3” of rain so far this year and it’s mid November.

The Mi house? Why would I voluntarily put a hole in a perfectly good roof? The question isn’t “will it leak?” It’s “how long until it leaks.”

 

[Wes Tex]

I installed windows just below the roofline in my garage. They allow light to enter but are pretty much shielded from hail damage. The skylights I see in garages around here are either dirty, cracked, or leaking --- generally all three.

 

[Robby321]

Never seen a sky light that didn't leak eventually..

 

[glentre]

I have two houses, both in areas with nearby large trees. Both had the low curbless type skylights and all of them leaked because of wind blown twigs and leaves that piled up at the top edge causing a dam that allowed water to back up and go under the shingles. They also allowed a buildup of snow which turned to ice and let water under the shingles. We replaced one house with the higher curb type of skylight several years ago and have had no problems with them. The one that still has the curbless is not leaking so long as we keep the top edge free of twigs and leaves.

Glen

 

[kaymccampbell]

Love the light. Not a fan. They almost always leak sooner than the roof. The only ones I might use are the type that go on the roof peak, thus no top flashing issues.

 

[ripperd]

I had my roof done this year and had the roofers put the tops for some sun tunnels in for me to hookup inside. They are small 14" but I am blown away at the light that pours out of them. One is in a bathroom with no window, and the other will be in a hallway. Right now that one isn't hooked up and it floods the entire attic with light.

What I like about sun tunnels is that they are stamped from a single piece of metal and they are round just like a flue or turtle vent. No step type flashing or seams.

My neighbor has one of those for their 2nd floor loft. The one funny thing about it is it also moves light the other direction - at night if lights are on in that room it lights up like an airport beacon lol.

 

[nh_yota]

I had my roof done this year and had the roofers put the tops for some sun tunnels in for me to hookup inside. They are small 14" but I am blown away at the light that pours out of them. One is in a bathroom with no window, and the other will be in a hallway. Right now that one isn't hooked up and it floods the entire attic with light.

What I like about sun tunnels is that they are stamped from a single piece of metal and they are round just like a flue or turtle vent. No step type flashing or seams.

My parents installed a couple of sun tunnels in their house when they redid the roof about 15 years ago and they work great. One is in a bathroom and has the optional light kit so it functions as the main bathroom light at night. No leaks or problems so far.

 

[JRC3]

My neighbor has one of those for their 2nd floor loft. The one funny thing about it is it also moves light the other direction - at night if lights are on in that room it lights up like an airport beacon lol.

There's a light kit you can install in it, maybe that's what he has. Not a fan myself. A friend of mine has a light kit in his kitchen sun tunnel and yep at night it's almost obnoxiously bright on the outside. He's had his tunnel for like 10 years so I'm sure it's an old school light like this one.

To me it seems like it would obstruct some daylight, though new ones probably have tiny LEDs.

 

[ford33]

Any hole in the roof is a potential leak. Don't tempt fate with a skylight.

 

[Cypress]

I had my roof done this year and had the roofers put the tops for some sun tunnels in for me to hookup inside. They are small 14" but I am blown away at the light that pours out of them. One is in a bathroom with no window, and the other will be in a hallway. Right now that one isn't hooked up and it floods the entire attic with light.

What I like about sun tunnels is that they are stamped from a single piece of metal and they are round just like a flue or turtle vent. No step type flashing or seams.

My firm and I have spec'd out solatubes for a few projects and on one of them we had issues with water penetration. I believe they were developing condensation and sweating out into the drywall below. They do produce a ton of light though and when installed correctly can be an amazing product.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My parents have two skylights in their sunroom built in 1987. Never any leakage into the house but there was some leakage between the panes of glass. I think it was last fall they had someone come out and replace the "window" of the skylight.

Theirs are a high curb design and with the amount of trees they have around the house, I always worried when a limb would come through one of them.

 

[dutchgray]

Never seen a sky light that didn't leak eventually..

Never seen any window or door opening that didn't leak eventually either, you make a hole through your house and some water will find its way in at some point. Unless you live somewhere it doesn't rain.

Properly installed roof windows are fine and often last longer than the common
mass produced conventional windows.

 

[JRC3]

Never seen any window or door opening that didn't leak eventually either, you make a hole through your house and some water will find its way in at some point. Unless you live somewhere it doesn't rain.

Properly installed roof windows are fine and often last longer than the common
mass produced conventional windows.

Yep, just dealt with this at a customer's house last week. FlashMate is an amazing product, but it's only a temp solution for those penny sized gaps. Every window in that house had at least 1/4" gap somewhere around the perimeter, and those tall windows had at least 5/8" at the tops. I think the brick has moved, and probably the framing, and certainly the windows...Probably not enough or improper fastening. No issues with the skylights in the house though. LOL

 

[John McA]

LED lighting is now cheaper to install and operate than any daylight solutions and will simplify roof make it last longer and easier to maintain. Color temp and CRI for LED's are great. Its likely you could take all your lighting off grid DC with some PV panels and batteries.
Good Luck,
John McA

 

[rnixon]

I haven't had any problems with my fake skylights. Edge lit led flat panels on dimmers, and if i get tired of the view I can change the overlay

 

[terryo1965]

I had 2 skylights put in my house and the builder warned me they always leak. 25 years later, including a roof replacement, I have never had a problem. Maybe I was lucky, but I love them, I think it was the best upgrade I did.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Yep, just dealt with this at a customer's house last week. FlashMate is an amazing product, but it's only a temp solution for those penny sized gaps. Every window in that house had at least 1/4" gap somewhere around the perimeter, and those tall windows had at least 5/8" at the tops. I think the brick has moved, and probably the framing, and certainly the windows...Probably not enough or improper fastening. No issues with the skylights in the house though. LOL

Somebody not add or use brick ties ? Looks like the entire veneer is pulling away.

 

[nh_yota]

I had 2 skylights put in my house and the builder warned me they always leak. 25 years later, including a roof replacement, I have never had a problem. Maybe I was lucky, but I love them, I think it was the best upgrade I did.

It depends on a number of factors - the quality of the skylight, the quality of the installation, the pitch of the roof, the type of roofing material, the climate where the house is located, etc.

I have three Velux skylights that were installed in my house 25+ years ago and while one of them has developed condensation between the glass planes, none of them leak.

 

[JRC3]

Somebody not add or use brick ties ? Looks like the entire veneer is pulling away.

I wondered the same thing... It feels dead solid, but no doubt something is moving. Overall I'm not impressed with the brickwork overall...Sometimes inexpensive labor can be eager and willing to bust ***, but not knowledgeable or well trained. This house was built in the mid 1990s when that was very common Also not impressed with the cedar siding being caulked under each row and especially caulked at the starter row and drip cap...Sure you wanna keep water out, but you also don't wanna keep it in. I wonder if the builder had the cheapest subs or maybe non that were dedicated to him for some other reason. New builders and those who don't pay on time often have to find a sub they never worked with before, or use what's available and not booked up.

Just like with skylights, problems happen with improper installation.