Skylights

[3Ts]

Have had skylights and heat was always an issue, about 3 years ago we put in a LED skylight which of course is not a true skylight but comes on gradually as the sun comes up, they come in different sizes and ours is about 18" square, mounts on the ceiling and is a flat panel, one small hole for the wire to the panel on the roof.

A solar panel powered skylight? I was not aware one existed.

I've had several skylights over the years and have not had any problem with leaks. But, they do have to be installed correctly and Velux's method seems to be better than most.

 

[leveled]

Being in the roofing business for 30 years, I can tell you that the biggest problem with skylights is that people think they last forever. You should always replace your skylights when you do your roof. Also consider doing curb mount units, you will be able to switch out the glass without the roofing or flashing being disturbed. This has to be done with new openings, sizes do not match up. Venting Skylights can be problematic, i do not see a reason to have a venting skylight.

 

[ericm979]

Our house built in the '80s had three of those cheap plastic bubble skylights. When we had the windows and roof redone a few years ago we had them replaced with curb mount Velux solar skylights. The upstairs office that has two of them in it has high ceilings. Opening the skylights in the evening in summer makes a noticeable difference in the temperature in the house, even with a lot of other windows open. The hot air rises and goes out the skylights drawing cooler air in the lower windows.

Between the electric (solar) opening and shades they're very convenient. The solar and battery part can be easily replaced. The window company that sold them and the GC both said that no one puts in hardwired units any more.

 

[PILOON]

I always said that it was not if but when they would leak!
Had a client that insisted on one over the bath tub.
Well they later complained that it leaked cold water when they bathed.

DUH, warm moist air raises and condenses on the cold skylight and then drips down.

The ceiling is insulated R40, skylight is probably less than R3/4 so guess what.
Also to note that there is never any snow on the skylight as it always melts due to heat loss while the roof has as much as 4 ft of accumulation.

But in my defence I repeatedly attempted to discourage the skylight installation so they never reproached me over the issue.

Another problem was reported.
Any house flies would congregate up there looking for a way out and naturally perish so the result was they needed to remove the corpses before bathing.

LOL, no I don't have a single skylight in my home.

 

[Billrog]

I've installed skylights in houses I've built since 1969 always curb mounted because that's the proper way and never had 1 complaint of leaks. My own house has 3 in the house and 2 in the garage installed in 1990 when I built the house and just had them replaced last spring when redoing the roof . Only reason I replaced them was my wife wanted a more modern stile with higher insul. value. More light in areas of the home rather than burning elec. with light bulbs out ways the heat loss for some people. If they leak their installed wrong or the roofer didn't flash correctly .

 

[bunyip]

A solar panel powered skylight? I was not aware one existed.

I've had several skylights over the years and have not had any problem with leaks. But, they do have to be installed correctly and Velux's method seems to be better than most.

EzyLite 45 x 45mm Square Solar Hybrid Skylight Kit | Bunnings Warehouse

I'm sure you could get them there from one of the big box stores