Building a skylight is a great way to bring more light into your Milwaukee home. But, selecting the right skylight shape and choosing the dimensions for the opening can be stressful if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
Skylights come in flat or domed shapes, can be fixed for vented, and are most often glazed to allow in a certain amount of light. Once you have decided where you will be building a skylight, you should have a good idea of what the best window would be to fit your needs.
If you’re considering installing a skylight in your home, keep reading for tips on where to start your planning process and instructions to get you going.
Considerations for Building a Skylight
Adding a skylight is a great way to bring additional light into your home without losing the wall space to a window. But, depending on how your house was built, you may need to make a few structural changes to allow for one.
Trusses
The first thing you need to check is whether your roof has been framed with trusses. Typically, truss framing is twenty-four inches wide and can accommodate a two-foot wide skylight. But, some people may have more narrow trusses in their homes.
If you have to cut into a truss to have a larger skylight, you would need to hire a structural engineer. They can draw up specs for alternative framing and will cost you about $300 to $500 to hire.
Attic Space
Once you have considered your roof’s structure, you need to make sure the attic space is clear before you can continue your project. Check to see if the HVAC, wiring, or plumbing are in the way of the space where you plan to have your skylight installed.
Chase
A chase is the framed tunnel that channels light from your skylight through your attic space and to the ceiling below. Most of the time people choose to finish it with drywall and paint it.
Since building a chase can be somewhat complex, it can add over $1000 to your project costs. But for those who have cathedral ceilings, no chase is necessary.
Cost of Building a Skylight
Installation for a 2×4-foot skylight can range from $500 to $3000 depending on how much needs to be changed to put it in place.
Simply cutting the hole in your roof and altering the framing should only set you back about $200. Then, the flash sealing and the skylight will cost you $200 to $300.
Finally, you have to add in the cost of building a chase if it is necessary and repainting the ceiling that surrounds the skylight.
Should I Hire a Professional?
Unless you are highly skilled, this is a job to leave to the pros. You need an expert installer to be sure that your skylight won’t leak and damage the interior of your home.
If you are interested in skylight installation for your home, stop by for a quote today or give us a call at 414-332-1139 to schedule your free visit today.