Skylight Window Primer – How To Install And Repair Them

Skylights have become popular over the decades as they help bring the natural sun light into the room, even if it is too small with a traditional window. Skylights that can be opened, allows fresh air to enter the room and allows sufficient sunlight to brighten and stylize a space, and add radiant heat in winter. The process of installing a skylight in a cathedral ceiling is an easy task that adds value and beauty to your home.

Here are some of the precautions and pre-installation tips that can be handy when installing these devices.

Before you cut into your roof, make sure of the location of any electrical wires inside the home and be cautious of overhead electrical wires before raising your ladder. Be careful when working on a sloped roof. In such cases, roof jacks should be secured from a ladder before standing on the roof and follow all product specifications.

Sealing methods for each type of sunlight vary by manufacturer hence make sure to follow the related product instructions in order to achieve a watertight seal.

Steps to install sunlight

1. Before installing sunlight, choose the best possible location for your new skylight window. Find the rafters using a stud finder and make accurate marks for locations with a pencil. The main objective here is to cut across as few rafters as possible when preparing the opening for the skylight.

2. There should be sufficient space for the upper and the lower edges of the skylight and also for the header boards. The header boards will have the same proportions as the rafters and will be attached across the cut ends.

3. Once you have determined the required location for the new skylight, take measurements, mark the locations, and cut out the area of the ceiling that will accommodate the new skylight. Get rid of any ceiling material and then drive long nails through the interior outward through the roof so that the nails extend beyond the roof. The nails will work as the markings for the exterior corner locations for the skylight.

4. Remove the roofing felt and shingles from the marked area. You can use a carpenter's pencil to mark the opening with a square on the exposed wood sheeting; use the corner nails as a guide. Cut through the rafters and wood sheets to frame the ends with header boards.

5. Use corner brackets to join the corners, nail on strips of wood to bring the headers to the appropriate height. Now, install new roofing felt around the perimeter of headers and then drop the skylight window into place. Read manufacturer’s instructions to seal the window properly and replace any shingles as needed around the skylight.

6. Add a wooden frame to finish the interior side of the skylight. To fill any gaps around the frame, use clear latex caulk.

After installing a new skylight, check if it has been installed properly and it will not leak even during a downpour. If any leakage happens, consult the manufacturer as the window may be defective.

Planning to save money, save in electricity bills install skylight for light source. Follow the links to call for professionals for skylight installation in Toronto at affordable rates.