There are some crucial steps toward the skylight installation process. Even if this kind of work is highly suggested done by professionals, some knowledge about the process will give you more understanding. This information may help you judge whether the contractor knows what they are doing above your house. The preparation, tools, and decision throughout the process can be supervised by you as the owner.
1. Check on The Sun Path
Be sure to consider the sun path before the skylight installation process. For instance, a skylight face to the south or west may have a bigger chance to direct sunlight. While those facing east or north might not. There are some ups and downs based on the location of the sun path. If it takes direct sunlight, your skylight has a chance to trap the heat during hot days. So, be sure to learn about the sun path across your house.
2. Take Notes about All The Planning
Make sure the skylight installation process has followed local codes. This is crucial to avoid any troubles with material loading and all related factors such as permits. It will not be a great experience to be complained about by your neighbors. Make sure the skylight location and size are on a blueprint or notes. Has the roof slope been inspected? What about the materials? Has everything been checked? The more details you have, the better.
3. Preparing the Roof for the Skylight Installation Process
After all the planning has been checked, now it is time to prepare the roof. It is vital for the process since the skylight will be installed in the upper part of your property. A trusted skylight contractor must first measure the pitch and slope of the roof. Better be to measure the roof pitch first before skylight purchase. Make the pitch calculation using a ruler with leveling to find the roof run and height.
4. Put Marks Inside Your House
Mark the desired location from the inside. Use a hammer to poke a small hole in the ceiling in the chosen location. This will allow you to check if there are any special pipes or wires at the time. If something gets in the way, it’s usually easier to choose a new location for the sunroof. Otherwise, pipes and cables can be rerouted around the site. The opening should be installed between 2 rafters to avoid structural damage. When installing a skylight on a corrugated iron roof, it should be positioned just below the roof overlap. After that, aligned with the groove on the skylight shutter.
5. Cutting the Opening
After the mark has been placed, now it is time to cut to make an opening. A contractor may cut the ceiling from the inside. Cutting is better performed when there are spaces available between the ceiling and the roof. Or where there is an attic to push through.
From the inside, drill a pilot hole where you want the center of the skylight. Then cut the roof with a circular saw to make the opening. Frame openings based on the building codes. You need to cut and frame a hole in the ceiling if the skylight is mounted above the attic. After that, put a light shaft frame through the attic.
6. Put The Underlayment
Underlay is needed to shed the water properly when it rains. The idea is to overlap the pieces of the down-roof with the up-roof. To do this, a worker needs to go up and remove shingles on the roof. Then they should strip the shingles on each side. By doing this, the worker won’t damage the shingles and can be used in the future after skylight installation. Next, they should make the cut according to the chalk line using a circular saw. These are vital steps since this process is not reversible. When it has been properly cut, now is the time to put underlayment. When you cut the fourth side, have a helper inside and carefully lower the cut. Nail the roof board to the perimeter of the opening.Apply a strip of self-adhesive foil to the bottom edge of the opening. Cut and fold
the top number 1 or so of the strip onto the exposed windowsill.
7. Put The Frame
When the underlayment has been placed, now put the skylight frame through the opening. These jobs are better for more than one person to do. One person holds the frame from the inside to bring it through the roof opening.
By doing this, the skylight will be secure and safer for workers since the risk of dropping it is minimized.
8. Placing the Skylight
After the frame has been installed, placing the skylight is the next appropriate step. The skylight needs to be rested against the bottom edge of the openings. With an assistant standing inside, lift the skylight from the opening, rest its bottom edge against the sill, and lower the unit onto the roof. Insert 1¼” galvanized roofing nails through the holes in the skylight flange into the roof.
9. Securing the Skylights
To make the work solid, the skylight needs to be secured in its place. Thread the 5cm screws through the metal brackets on both sides of the frame. Drive screws through adjacent roof light rafters for framed skylights. When you want to install curb skylights, they will be connected directly to the curb.
10. Seal The Skylight Sides
Put a 6” membrane strip to cover the bottom flange past the sides of the skylights. Make a 45-degree cut on the extensions on both corners. Wrap the skylight’s frame at the top part and press it against the roof. Do a similar way to cover the side and top flanges.
Conclusion on Skylight Installation Process
There are a lot of risky jobs to do during the skylight installation process. All the steps and details mentioned here are to give you a common picture of the details. We strongly suggested that you avoid D.I.Y a skylight.