A skylight project can add lots of light (and a touch of grandeur) to a dark upper-level hallway or ensuite-and with the proper preparation, installing your own is a rewarding do-it-yourself project.
Don't you sometimes wonder what home builders are thinking when they go to the trouble of adding the convenience of an ensuite bathroom but neglect to add a window for natural light and ventilation?
Terry and Estelle Blondin's master bedroom's ensuite is a perfect example--a well-used bathroom that's small, dark, stuffy and uncomfortable. Even a fresh coat of paint and additional lighting couldn't brighten up their tiny, windowless ensuite. A venting skylight was the perfect solution to improve the air quality and circulation and draw in plenty of natural light (even on a dull day).
The Blondins chose a Velux electric venting skylight with a wood frame and sash that can be painted or stained before or after installation. They decided that two skylights would be better than one. In the small 6 x 7 ceiling there was just enough room to install two skylights side-by-side, creating the dramatic effect of illuminating the entire ensuite with a little extra light spilling over into the bedroom. The push of a button on the remote control will open or close the skylight quickly, keeping the air fresh and dry.
Proper Preparation is Key
Installing a skylight is a two-person job and can be completed in a day as long as you've done your preinstallation homework like checking for plumbing, wiring and other possible obstacles you may encounter that will affect the location and installation of the skylight.
Blondin hired a professional skylight installer, Denis Charron of Skylights Unlimited in Pickering, Ont., to help him get the job done quickly and efficiently.
After close inspection of the attic and roof deck where the skylight was to be installed, Charron and Blondin found plumbing and wiring that had to be rerouted and a vent pipe that needed to be moved over a couple of feet before the skylight installation could begin.
The first job was to mark and cut out the ceiling opening.
In this case it was easier to access and work on the plumbing from the bathroom rather than the attic since the space between the ceiling and the roof was tight and it was over 100 degrees in the attic that day. It all took a couple of hours. As it turned out they made up the lost time since no rafters needed to be cut--the skylights could be centred over the bathroom and positioned side by side, fitting between the rafters--and only two new headers were required to reinforce the rafters and support the skylights at the top and bottom.
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