New Skylight
What is Involved
Duration
Most Projects can be completed within 1-2 weeks. Larger projects can be in the 3-4 week range.
Preparation
For each project, we must carefully prepare the traffic area from the entrance and or the garage all the way through to the skylight area with roll-out floor protection. Next, we typically need to build a custom wooden framed scaffold below the skylight area to ensure a safe and comfortable work environment for the project's duration. In addition to floor protection and the scaffold, we often wrap the area with as much poly plastic or painter's plastic to capture fine dust. To be fair we can't promise to capture all the dust but this process helps mitigate a large portion and only leaves a light cleaning in the end.
Removal
When installing any new skylight there is always some demolition that needs to be done in order to make way for the new skylight system which is why it is very important to prepare carefully in advance to capture debris and contain dust.
Framing
In this step, we begin to create the shape or skeleton of the skylight. It can not be overstated how seriously we take this step and make sure not only is everything installed with strength and integrity but also installed with accuracy to ensure the later steps are given the proper structure and base.
Insulation
R-Values are important which is why we choose to use a high R-Value Batt insulation from Owens corning or Roxul in combination with using Super Six Vapour barrier and tuck tape to seal most unwanted air gaps to ensure a well-sealed skylight system that won't have you cold in the winter or hot in the summer. Minor temperature changes within a degree or 2 are normal in elevated weather conditions but with that said all of our clients are satisfied with the climate under and around the skylight which has held up to Canadian climate conditions.
Drywall
For drywall installation we use a typical 1/2 inch sheetrock and cover the new skylight tunnel from bottom to top all the way up to the glass of the skylight.
Mudding and Taping (Drywall Finish)
This step is crucial in aesthetic performance. We use a combination of wet mud or slow-drying muds that compound or go well with Certainteed No-Coat Vinyl Flex bead products that flex to any and all inside and outside angles that the skylight opening has framed within it. This process typically takes 3-5 days on its own when done properly.
Lighting
Some projects require us to remove their existing lighting fixture or chandelier and replace that lighting source with pot lights which we do provide as a service. Also in rare cases, we can install LED lighting within the skylight tunnel to create a glow or colored effect within the tunnel for some extra WOW factor.
Mouldings and Trim
When the ceiling around the skylight area has a stucco finish we prefer to add a custom moulding around the base of the skylight opening where the ceiling meets the new opening. Think of this the same way you would see your widown trim. It's impossible to haver stucco finish stop perfectly around the ceiling opening of the skylight so we like to make a trim that covers this and keeps it looking natural
Painting
We use a kill PVA primer in to bond to the newly installed drywall. For the paint we typically us a flat white ceiling paint or if the home owner has the matching paint we will happily apply that to connect the existing painted ceiling which are typically flat white ceiling grade paints anyway.
Roofing and Skylight Installation
To ensure a leak-proof system use Velux Skylights, Flashing Kits and high-grade underlayments all installed to Velux spec which is by far the best skylight installation system. We take sealing skylights to the roof very important which is why we have a 10-year leakproof warranty.
FEATURED VIDEOS
BENEFITS OF SKYLIGHTS
Spectacular views of the outside
During the day a view of the sky and clouds is your baseline view. In a loft setting and the right location that view can be anything from a city skyline or a wonderful natural environment.
Abundant light from the sun
With ample natural light, completely transform the look and feel of your room. A stairway, for example, can be transformed into a unique feature of a home as opposed to just a stairway.
Open atmosphere for an improved mood
During the day a view of the sky and clouds is your baseline view. In a loft setting and the right location that view can be anything from a city skyline or a wonderful natural environment.
Air circulation within the house
Venting skylights give us the ability to regulate the interior temperature of the home on a functional level. For example, a skylight over the stairway will pull the air from the lower floors via convection. In the summer months, this can really reduce the humidity on the top floor of the home.
Things To Consider
There is an array of options when it comes to choosing the location and the overall look of the skylight and the skylight tunnel, although there are a couple of factors that you will need to take into consideration. Beaches Skylights has the knowledge and years of experience to work with you on adding the best skylight.
1. Energy Efficiency
2. Interior Finish
3. Warranty
4. How the light is Spread (Focused or Open)
5. How the skylight tie's into other Trades
Types of Skylights
Fixed Skylights
Vented Skylights
