Would you recommend skylights for the kitchen and bath?

Question

We are doing some major renovations soon and I am considering installing a rectangular skylight in the kitchen and one of those new circular tube ones in the bathroom. They look cool and it would be nice to get in more natural light. I have heard stories about them leaking. I want to make sure they are not more bother then they are worth. Is it really expensive? Would it be advisable to have them installed now, while the workers are putting in the new roof?
Thanks

Answer 1

I haven't really had any problems with them leaking. I would get non operable ones though. The thing with the ones that open and close is it creates a seal that could wear out, so I'm sure those ones leak more. Just like a sunroof in your car, the more you use it by opening and closing it, the quicker the seal wears out and it starts leaking. So if you get a skylight that doesn't open, it doesn't have that seal to go bad.

Answer 2

My opinion? If your roofing contractors are working on the roof now, it's easier to have the skylight installed now rather than wait until later when the roof is completed and then a hole must be made for the skylight. Leakage happens more when existing roofs must be opened up for the skylight. If done properly, most skylights don't end up leaking. Ask for a warranty against this. One word of caution... my in-laws have 2 skylights in their family room and with the sun coming in, that room is hotter than the living and dining room. Also, sitting under or near where the skylight is HOT! We all avoid that space. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Everyone I know that has skylights wind up with leaking skylights 3-4 years down the road. With that said, put them in while they are redoing the roof. It will save a great deal of hassle later. Make sure they seal them well, go with the extra expense when it comes to skylights.

Answer 4

Absolutely. It make good use of of natural lite and can be very attractive.The roofers mite set the jacks for you if you can determine where you want them positioned.They mite even cut the hole for a few extra bucks,depending on the roof.If installing yourself, cut the proper size hole and set the jack prior to the roofing installation if possible. If roofing is already installed,slide the flashing of the roof jack under the felt that's below the shakes,shingles etc.so that its on the wood structure, on the high side of the the roof. Let the bottom over hang the shakes. Screw or nail it down and use adequate amount of tar or whatever water repellent you prefer,it can get kinda messy. You mite want to wear rubber gloves.I think you get the picture. Frame and drywall the chase or you can use aluminum. tubing which reflects more lite. Attach the top cover and seal. Install the bottom cover to the ceiling and you should be pretty well good to go,Make sure you tar all the screws on top.
Birds can be pretty messy so you mite want it positioned so that you can easily spray off the top with a garden hose.Think about where the sun is in reference to the time of day you will be spending in the area of the sky lite.You can purchase sky lite kits that are reasonably easy to install and they have all the hardware.
Give it a try,you will be proud of yourself and your construction skills.

Answer 5

If they are installed right, they won't leak. But I know what you're talking about: The contractor that built my parents' place installed the skylight in the small bathroom right, but the one in the large bathroom wasn't installed right, and it leaks.

Think of this: A skylight will help with your electrical bill because you won't have to flip a light switch so often.

Answer 6

We bought our house about 3 years ago which has the tubular skylight in the kitchen. I had been told that it had been installed about 6-7 years ago and it is still nice and not leaking. I personally love it. The only downside is that when clouds covering the sky, the kitchen darkens sometimes suddenly until the covered clouds disappear.

Answer 7

We installed a tube skylight in our bathroom in our last home when we renovated, so it was not original to the house. We loved it, and it never leaked. Installation is everything for these. I highly recommend them.

Answer 8

Only if they are built when the house is new. Many of the after market skylights are pretty good, but if not installed just right will leak, damaging your interior

Answer 9

yes, by all mean. if you can afoord the skylight do so. they are great. they convern enegry. so they keep the house with natural light and help with the colling of the place. the skylights in bathrooms loom awesome too. i would highly recommended it. if you have roofers right now, yeah, find out how much more they would charge you to put skylights. i have lived with them for a long time, and i live in miami with hurricane seasons and i have never ever had a problem with them.

Answer 10

Your comfortable with wood in the kitchen yet no longer in the bathing room. yet in the kitchen like the single individual stated use the actual stuff no longer no synthetic stuff by fact it won't final and be helpful to take it sluggish and use a stable sealer on it. I even have Maple floor in my kitchen, yet I even have ceramic tile in the tub, With the tile you pick ti have a stable base. restoration any vulnerable spots. in case you do no longer choose to apply the heavy and annoying to paintings with hardy backer or concrete board merely verify you have the thickness of wood of a million and a million/4 inches. that ought to keep you the grief of tile cracking. stable success and have exciting doing it.