Installing a tube skylight may seem difficult, but most people with basic do-it-yourself knowledge can do it, according to Ann Esposito with Sun-Tek. “If you can walk on the roof and use a power tool, you can install it yourself,” she says.
Plan ahead. The first step is to decide where the skylight should go. Then, go into the attic and make sure there are no obstructions between the light’s intended spot and the roof, Esposito says.
Finding obstructions doesn’t mean a skylight can’t be installed. You just have to maneuver around them, says Ross Vandermark with Velux. That can be done by tilting or adding mounted bends to a rigid tube or using a flexible tube on shorter runs.
Choose a sunny spot. Higher on the roof is usually better, Esposito says. Be sure not to place the skylight under a shady maple tree or on the north side of the house. “You can illuminate a room on the north side of the house by tubing your skylight on the south side of the roof and running it across,” she says.
Decide on size. Typically, tube skylights come in two sizes - 10 or 14 inches in diameter. A 10-inch round tube can usually light about 150 square feet, while a 14-inch tube is good up to 250 square feet, Esposito says.
Get enough tubing. Be sure to measure how much tubing is needed before you go to the store. Most tube skylight kits include about 4 feet of tubing but extension tubing can be bought, typically on the same aisle as the skylight kit.
Cut the holes and installthe skylight. Once a spot has been determined and a skylight kit bought, it’s time to cut a hole in the roof and ceiling and install the skylight. Different companies offer different types of seals and flashing, so it’s important to follow instructions precisely. Sun-Tek tubes, for example, include one-piece flashing, while Velux Sun Tunnels use flashing ranging from low profile to pitched depending on the roof line.
Enjoy the new skylight. Once its is installed, the room should glow with natural light. It should even be easy to tell navy blue from black.
HomeStyle, Pages 42 on 10/12/2013