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Tubular skylights

Tubular skylights

Roof window

roof window

A lot of comfort has been included in recent skylight models. Today we know many motorized venting skylights, controlled with a wall switch or wireless with a remote control. Fully automated models come equipped with rain sensors, closing the skylight as soon as the first raindrops fall. Some of them even contain a small heat recovery unit or recuperation unit which delivers over 75% heat recovery of the exhaust air.

This way you can ventilate your home with fresh air during colder months without affecting your indoor temperature, avoiding unnecessary heat loss, cold draughts and heating bills.

<<< Skylight with heat-recovery unit

Skylight with heat-recovery unit

Replacement of a new skylight window to existing shingle roof

Installing a skylight in a safe and proper manner is above the average do-it-yourselfer level. It requires tools and experience in roofing and carpentry, a simple mistake might have huge consequences.

Often even experienced roofers think that the replacement of an old skylight window to an existing shingle roof can be a tricky job. But when a roofer follows the following simple but important guidelines and recommendations, the installation will be a success.

1. Remove roofing nails from shingles around the skylight and trim these shingles if necessary. It is always good to leave 30-40 cm working space around the skylight. It’s much easier to do this job when it is warm. Shingles are more flexible during warm weather. During cold weather it is difficult to unglue shingles and you can easily damage them. Sometimes it is good to use a hot-air gun and preheat the surface of the shingles to easy peel them off.

Installation process of skylight on shingle roof

2. Dismantle and remove the old skylight together with metal flashing from the roof deck and install a new window.

Installation process of skylight on shingle roof

3. New underlayment continuously slides under the metal flashing around the skylight. Be careful with the top piece of underlay above the window. It’s the most critical part for leakage. This top piece of underlayment must be inserted and overlapped with the old one which stayed on the roof. For this particular job we recommend to use IKO Armourbase Stick or another self-adhesive underlayment.

Installation process of skylight on shingle roof

4. Now fill up again the empty spaces around the roof window with new shingles. These shingles must be securely nailed and glued with the metal flashing. Read our application guide or take a look at application movie which contains specified instructions for every IKO shingle type.

Installation process of skylight on shingle roof

5. Old shingles around the perimeter of the roof window must be re-nailed. A new nail should be nailed next to the place and glued with bituminous mastics.

Installation process of skylight on shingle roof

6. The new roof skylight in a shingle roof after reconstruction

 

Remember: The replacement of your old skylight may not be a difficult job. However there is always a possibility of making a small mistake, resulting in a leakage problem. Therefor the best timing to replace your skylights is when you are renovating your roof. You’ll save money in the long run and ensure you won’t be paying for a new roof twice!

Skylight in shingle roof