Are you ready to install a new skylight in your home?
It may seem like a daunting — or outright impossible — task, but we’re here to tell you that installing a skylight is far more achievable than you may think, and with skylights come lots of benefits!
If you’re looking to brighten up your home with natural light and add a touch of architectural charm, skylight installation can be a fantastic idea. Skylights not only bring in sunshine but also create an open and airy atmosphere. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps of skylight installation, helping homeowners shed light on this exciting home improvement project
Inside this easy read:
- Benefits of having skylights installed on your roof
- The 4 main types of skylights
- 8 easy skylight installation steps
- Skylight installation tips + tricks for DIY homeowners
Ready to learn everything you need to know about skylight installation and why these sunlight openings are so beneficial to your home? Start reading!
Before You Start:
We know starting a DIY project can be exciting, but before you start cutting holes in your roof make sure you understand the cost, tools, and work involved.
What You’ll Need to Install Your Skylight
Before you buy all of the tools the pros use for a professional skylight installation, we have put together a list of the necessities that will get you through this project without breaking the bank.
- Moderate expertise. You can handle some power tools and know how to cut the roof opening without causing any damage.
- A friend to help get the skylights onto your roof
- A skylight, of course. You can find some really nice ones plus the proper flashing (often offered in a flashing kit) at Home Depot.
- Roof shingles
- A ladder to get up on the roof plus a roofing harness to keep you safe.
- Chalk line tool
- Power drill
- Circular saw
- Roofing nailgun (very helpful, but a hammer will also do)
- And a good quality utility knife
Costs Of Getting a Skylight Installation
The total cost of adding a skylight can range quite a bit depending on the type, brand, and installation method of your skylight (DIY vs pro).
A basic skylight will start around $150 and increase based on size and features. Of course, there are also premium options like Velux skylights, which start at around $600 each. Granted, they offer a wide variety of models ranging from the basic skylights to solar skylights that remotely open and close. Once you have your skylight selected, you need to get the proper flashing or flashing kit, which typically runs anywhere from $100 to $400. Once you factor in the cost of various tools, shingles, and other material costs, you should expect the total cost to start from $400 and go up from there.
Why Install Skylights?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of skylight installation, let’s talk about why skylights are a popular choice among homeowners.
- Natural Light: Skylights flood your space with beautiful, natural sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. Plus, if you don’t want too much visible light on certain days, you can always get skylight shades to customize the amount of light in your home.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: A professional skylight installation can add a unique architectural feature to your home, creating a visually appealing focal point.
- Ventilation: Some skylights are designed to open, providing excellent ventilation and fresh air. Thus, vented skylights can keep the air in your home cleaner and let you enjoy a nice breeze when you’re inside during summer days.
- Energy Efficiency: Well-placed skylights can improve your home’s energy efficiency by reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating.
Skylight Installation In Just 9 Steps
If you would prefer to go the professional route, installation costs can generally range between $500 and $3,000, depending on the project. Doing it yourself is a great way to save money, but it can be time-consuming if you have never done it before. Regardless of which method you pick, let’s break down the steps to installing a skylight in your home.
STEP 1: CUT THE ROOF OPENING
The first step will, of course, be to cut the opening in your roof for your skylight installation. First, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got good weather for the day. The last thing you want to happen is for rain or wind to ruin this step.
Then determine where you want your skylight and what size you want it to be. Start from the inside and mark out the dimensions of the skylight. Make sure the skylight is located between joists (if possible) and the proper header joists are added to ensure proper support of the window.
If you are planning to install a large skylight and need to cut multiple roof rafters, make sure to call a professional, as this could compromise the structural integrity of your roof or new skylight.
Once you have everything marked out drill four long deck screws through where each corner will be. Those screws will indicate on the exterior roof where to begin.
Then you will need to get on the roof to remove all the shingles at least 6 inches past each of those screw markers. Once the shingles are removed, mark four straight chalk lines as a guide to using the circular saw to cut out the rectangle shape in the roof.
STEP 2: INSTALL THE FLASHING
Next, install your flashing along the entire window sill. This creates the first barrier to prevent leaks. For proper installation, make sure to apply the self-adhesive flashing on each side, then cut to fold over the edge enough to create a barrier the width of the skylight sill. Nail the sheathing down on all sides using your roofing nailer.
STEP 3: PLACE THE SKYLIGHT
Once the sill has flashing securely installed, carefully get your skylight to the roof with the help of a friend or pully system. Place it in the cut-out gently in place. The skylight should have a flange edge where you can place your 1.25-inch roofing nails every few inches to secure it in place.
STEP 4: SEAL THE EDGES
Time for more sealing. Cut your self-adhesive membrane to stick to the skylight’s flange and extend past its edge a few inches. This creates a watertight seal around every edge of your skylight. You will need to do this on every side to create another barrier against leaks before you install your sill and step flashing.
STEP 5: INSTALL SILL FLASHING
Your skylight came with a u-shaped piece of flashing to place on the bottom sill. This should easily slide in place, and you can secure every side using your roofing nailer. Then, the final step will be to install your shingles back in place, covering that sill flashing. Note, this is only installed on the bottom of your skylight window.
STEP 6: INSTALL STEP FLASHING
Next, each side requires step flashing to be installed. This installation will go in steps, from the bottom up. Place your first l-shaped step flashing piece near the bottom of the skylight. Nail it in place and then cover it with a shingle. Then, install your next step flashing overlapping that shingle by a few inches, secure it in place, and put your next shingle in its proper place. Continue these steps on both sides until you reach the top corners.
STEP 7: COUNTERFLASHING
The counter flashing will simply click into place over where you installed your step flashing on each side. This is a key step to ensuring snow and rain don’t blow under the edge of your skylight.
STEP 8: SADDLE FLASHING
The saddle flashing is similar to the sill flashing, but it goes on the top. You will simply slide it under the shingles above your skylight and slide it in place on top. Secure it with roofing nails and re-install your shingles over the saddle flashing as you’ve done thus far, and it should be good to go.
STEP 9: ENJOY!
With all of the flashing, shingles, and skylight in place, safely make your way back down off the roof and head inside. You can double-check that everything looks good from the inside, and if you have a skylight that opens, you can test that and make sure everything is in working order. Once everything is good to go, you can get started on cleaning up the interior ceiling.
Extra Skylight Installation Tips💡
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind during the skylight installation process:
- Professional Help: While some homeowners may tackle skylight installation themselves, it’s often best to hire a professional roofer or contractor with experience in skylight installation, especially for larger or more complex projects.
- Choose High-Quality Skylights: Invest in high-quality skylights from reputable manufacturers to ensure long-lasting performance and durability.
- Proper Sealing: Adequate sealing and flashing are critical to prevent leaks, so don’t cut corners in this department.
- Regular Maintenance: Once your skylights are installed, make sure to perform regular inspections and maintenance to keep them in optimal condition.
Bring More Light Into Your Home With a New Skylight 🌞
Installing skylights in your home can be a rewarding project, bringing in natural light and enhancing your living spaces’ atmosphere — not to mention, they can be a great investment into the value of your home! By following this essential skylight installation guide and considering your specific needs and preferences, you can brighten up your home and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors from the comfort of your own space. So, go ahead and let the sunshine in!
These steps we’ve laid out are relatively simple, but they do require a certain amount of expertise. So if you’re not a seasoned DIYer, we always recommend hiring a professional roofing expert when you are doing anything that requires getting up on the roof and making drastic home improvements like cutting the opening in the roof. One slip from an inexperienced homeowner can cause injury, accidents, or damage to your home.
Luckily, First American Roofing offers both sun tunnel and skylight installation, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Contact us today for a free estimate on your project.
