| Installing a Skylight: Cutting Hole in the Ceiling and Marking the Roof |
From "Weekend Remodeling"
episode WKR-108 |
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Prep Work = 2 hours
Cutting Hole in the Ceiling and Marking the Roof = 4 hours
Cut Roof Opening, Install Skylight and Replace Shingles = 4 hours
Finishing Touches = 4 hours
Total hours spent on project = 14 hours over 2-1/2 days On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the hardest, this project is a 3. We spent approximately $700 on supplies for this project. If you hired a contractor to install a skylight, it would probably cost you around $1,200. Materials: Skylight
Hammer
Screwdrivers
Nails and screws
Plastic sheeting
Pry bar
Reciprocating saw or circular saw
Level
Keyhole saw
Cat's paw
Roofing felt and step flashing
Sheets of drywall
Joint compound
Drywall tools and tape
Taping knife
Multi-Head Shower
Silicone caulk
Pencil
Socket set
Tape measure
Drill and bits
Hex wrenches
Shims
Adhesive tape
2 x 4's
2 x 10
Paint - Use a keyhole saw to make the horizontal cut from rafter to rafter. The keyhole saw will minimize the vibration between the span of the rafters and will be less likely to cause the drywall to break or crack.
- Use a reciprocating saw to make the vertical cuts (figure A). Using the reciprocating saw on the long cuts of the drywall is okay since you will be cutting right beside the rafter it is attached to. Be careful near the can light – stop short and go above it and finish the cut.
- Go back and finish the job around the light with the keyhole saw (figure B) and cut fairly shallow. You need to be careful because the can itself has 2 metal legs holding it in place. Although you have cut the power off to the circuit, be careful and do not accidentally cut any electrical wires.
- Remove the drywall and cut away the insulation.
- Remove the can light using a cat's paw. Open up the electrical box housing the wiring and remove the wires from the can connectors (figure C) and remove the wire nuts.
Expert Tip: As with any electrical project, safety should be your primary concern. If you are not 100 percent comfortable with making the electrical connections yourself, please contact a qualified electrician to do it for you. - Pull the wire out of the can, cap the wires with wire nuts, and tuck it out of the way for now.
- Cut the plastic foam vent away with a utility knife.
- Transfer the 4 corners of the hole in the ceiling to the roof sheeting using a framing square. Make some marks on the roof sheeting and that is where you will mark the hole in the roof. Using a drill with a 1/4-inch bit, drill holes through the marks on the sheeting – making sure to go all the way through the sheeting and shingles (figure D).
- You need to now go onto the roof and prepare the area for the exterior hole. To keep everything safe, use roof jacks and a board to stand on while you work on the roof.
Expert Tip: Whenever you are installing roof jacks that are going to support your weight, always use 16 penny nails to secure them. Make sure they are driven into the joists and not just the sheeting – your life may depend on it. - Start 2 rows of shingles above the top holes you drilled from inside. Insert a flat prybar between the shingles to break the seal. Slide the bar and remove the roofing nails that attach the shingles (figure E). Work from the top down. It is important to make sure and remove enough shingles to work around the skylight.
- Do not cut any of the shingles – remove the entire pieces or it will look like a patching job when you re-shingle the roof around the skylight.
- Do not remove the last row of shingles where you drilled the bottom holes because you will be setting the flange of the skylight on top of them so water will drain away.
- Remove any roofing nails that were left behind from removing the shingles.
- Cut the roofing paper about 6" from where you will be cutting the hole for the skylight (figure F). Use a level and mark lines from hole to hole – this will give you a template to cut out.
RESOURCES :
Self-Flashing Venting Skylight (ODL)
Model #2852
ODL Incorporated
Website: www.odl.com
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