If you’re looking for a way of letting both natural light, and more air into your home, a venting skylight is one of the best home improvements you can make.
Over the years, we’ve seen fixed skylights prove increasingly popular, and for good reason. Skylights let more natural sunlight into the home and provide fantastic views up into the sky from right inside the home. The main downside to fixed skylights, however, is the fact that they can’t be opened. Enter, venting skylights.
Venting skylights serve the same purposes as regular skylights, with the added bonus of being able to be opened slightly. The fact that they can be opened means they not only let fresh air into the home, they can also help to release steam, smoke, and unpleasant odors too.
While venting skylights can be tricky to fit yourself, if you know what you’re doing the process isn’t too difficult at all. That’s where we enter the picture. Here’s a look at several DIY tips on how to install a venting skylight.
Choose a Practical Location
Skylights are basically fancy windows that are installed in ceilings/roofs, as opposed to walls.
Not only do skylights allow you to gaze up into the sky, they also increase the amount of natural light in your home, regardless of where you install them. The key difference between a standard fixed skylight and a venting skylight however, is the fact that venting skylights can be opened up slightly.
If you’re thinking of installing a venting skylight in your home, it’s important to choose a practical location. Because these skylights are vented, most people will choose to install them in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms. This is due to the fact that these rooms tend to have the most odors and can also get steamed up, or in the case of a kitchen, can get smoky as well.
If you don’t feel like you would benefit from fresh air, a fixed skylight could be more practical and may even save you a few bucks in the process.
Set a Budget
Another tip when it comes to installing venting skylights in your home is to set yourself a budget in advance.
Because venting skylights feature a more complex design as they are hinged and can be opened up, they are typically more expensive in price. If you are on a budget and are looking to save money, a venting skylight may be more expensive.
If, however, you’ve got your heart set on a venting skylight, make sure you do your research as the price can vary dramatically. A vented skylight could cost you as little as $400, or as much as $2,000. Many venting skylights are now solar powered, which can really bump up the initial cost, so just bear that in mind.
As you can see, prices really do vary so don’t assume all venting skylights are out of your budget, because that isn’t always the case.
Gather the Right Tools and Safety Equipment
In terms of how to install a venting skylight, this particular type of home improvement is certainly not the same as something as basic as hanging a picture.
Before you begin the installation, it’s important that you gather the necessary tools and safety equipment. You’ll need things such as:
- Safety ladders
- Gloves
- Safety goggles/protective eyewear
- A breathing mask
- Circular saw/cutting apparatus
- Set square
- Damp cloths
- Dry cloths
- The skylight
- Flashing
- Ice and water shields
Prepare the Roof
After you’ve gathered all of the tools and equipment you’re going to need, the next step is to prepare the roof where your skylight is going to go.
Once you’ve gained access to the roof, clear the guttering and the surrounding areas, mark where the skylight frame is going to be, and remove any shingles surrounding the frame. Try to ensure that the roof and surrounding area is as clean and tidy as possible, as this will make your life much easier in the long run.
Mark the Location of Your Skylight and Cut an Opening
Now comes the most technical part of the installation process, as it’s now time for you to begin cutting the opening for your skylight.
Once you’ve made an outline of where the frame will be, go ahead and begin cutting out the skylight, making sure to allow for the water and ice shield.
Fit the Skylight
Up next, it’s time for you to fit the skylight.
Once you’ve removed all of the cladding and packaging, place the skylight over the opening you’ve just cut, and make sure that it’s centered.
Once you’re happy that the skylight is centered, using the nails that were provided with the kit, you can go ahead and nail it securely into place.
Finishing Touches
You’re almost finished now, but before you can head indoors and admire your handywork you’re going to need to add the finishing touches.
Following the instructions carefully, install the water and ice shield securely to your skylight. Once you’re happy with this, you can then add the shingles to the bottom of your skylight, along with the sill and the flashing.
Take your time here, as this will ensure that your skylight is watertight. You should then fit the cladding and check that everything fits as it should.
For those of you who installed a solar-powered venting skylight, go ahead and connect up the solar panel. You can then sync the remote and take care of any other technical aspects of the installation.
Test Your Skylight
If you’ve purchased a solar powered or electric vented skylight, before you begin cleaning up and packing things away, go ahead and test the skylight to ensure that it’s working as it should.
If you’ve opted for a manually operated vented skylight, using the necessary tools and equipment, check that the skylight opens and closes as it should.
Once you’re happy your skylight is in full working order, replace any roof shingles you removed, gather your tools, tidy up, and admire your handywork.