Skylights

[budl]

Want to put 4 (approx. 2'x4') inexpensive skylights in the roof of my unfinished 24x34 garage. Roof decking going on next week. I'm putting a Velux 30x48 in my house but at about $400 I don't want to do that 4 more times in the garage. Not looking for fancy, just something that doesn't leak and lets in light. Suggestions?

Thanks
Bud

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

Can you find a non-Velux brand tube light? I thought I remember seeing those for much cheaper, maybe $100-150?

 

[tomroblee]

I had a 36' x 48' pole barn built several years ago. They installed a polycarbonate ridge cap that created a "skylight" the entire length of the building. As I recall it added less than $100 to the cost.

My barn has a metal roof, and some form of ridge cap is needed. I don't know whether a polycarbonate ridge cap could be used with a shingle roof.

 

[Angelfire]

2x4 skylights here run about $135 each. Just put 4 of them into my build. Nothing fancy but did come with doubled glass (plastic)

 

[Justanoldguy]

2x4 skylights here run about $135 each. Just put 4 of them into my build. Nothing fancy but did come with doubled glass (plastic)

This plastic?? glass arouses my curiosity ..

 

[kb2tha]

Put two Velux operating 30 x 48's in my garage and two more same size in my camp. All bought at auction (used) for $30 each. Never a leak in 11 years at the camp and going on 4 in the garage. Did I say I love auctions.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Sky Lights usually mean future maintenance and are leak prone.

Poly-Carb =s plastic. It'll turn color, get brittle with age and then .......................

Northern climate is more forgiving than southern on plastic products. Just look at the plastic dashboard in a 15 year old car vs. one the same age up north.

I opted outa' plastic roof panels on my current build.

 

[Cobra6]

I would stick with Velux - look around for a deal -
just about everything else will leak or have to be replaced.

 

[mikeyr]

Cant help much with the cheaper ones but I can say that putting in 4 Velux skylights in my garage was one of the best things I ever did in the garage, love being able to open them on hot days to get the hot air out. I was going to cheaper plastic things and my contractor suggeted opening skylights instead, i was against, my wife said ok...I love them now.

 

[Bobf]

I built my 24X30 detached garage/shop back in '87 and included two cheap non opening white semi-transparent 2X4' skylights on wood 2X4 frames I put together. The shop runs east-west and the lights are on the south facing roof, so I get sun all day if it's out, and I'm in so cal near San Diego so that's most days. I'm very happy with them, have never leaked, no snow and minimal rain here. I would stay away from the more translucent bronze type as they let heat besides light in.

 

[wssix99]

Search for "plastic dome skylight" and you'll find what you are looking for. Nothing fancy - perfect for an unfinished and non-climate controlled garage.