Install a DIY Skylight

By Flip Heilig
Published on February 1, 1992
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Building a skylight is an easy way to get more natural lighting in your home.
Building a skylight is an easy way to get more natural lighting in your home.
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The trickiest part of installing the skylight is to make it completely waterproof. A heavy plastic wrap will do nicely, but make certain that no moisture can sneak between the frame and the roofing.
The trickiest part of installing the skylight is to make it completely waterproof. A heavy plastic wrap will do nicely, but make certain that no moisture can sneak between the frame and the roofing.
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Hardwoods, such as ash or oak, are preferable for the job. Not only are they durable, but they will resist warping under extreme temperature conditions.
Hardwoods, such as ash or oak, are preferable for the job. Not only are they durable, but they will resist warping under extreme temperature conditions.

Installing a DIY skylight in your home is a lot easier than you think. There are so many advantages to these skylights that I’m sure everyone would or should want one or two. Aside from the romantic aspects of watching the rain or snow fall at night with the stars glowing, skylights cut down on your use of electricity (in our case, kerosene) and will help heat your home on sunny days.

I’m not a very talented person in this department, but with a sunny afternoon and a little research at the dump, these portholes in the roof proved to be quite simple to add to a new or already existing structure. And let’s face it, any home improvement that can actually be done by the homeowner is an invaluable source of self esteem, and accomplishing it for almost nothing can only add to that good feeling.

First gather all the materials (most of which can be scrounged for free) and tools necessary for the job. The building process will only take about two hours.

Materials Needed:Old window (from a dump or demolition company)
1-by-4-inch board cut to the length you need (this is determined by adding 2 inches on all
sides of your window and measuring)
2-by-6-inch board the appropriate length for a window casing
1-by-2-inch board to support the window in the casing on all sides
1-by-6- or 1-by-8-inch board the length of your window
1 quart roofing tar and a suitable paint brush
4 pieces of lath
1 piece of 6 mil clear plastic at least 10 inches larger than window on either side
1 pound each eightpenny and tenpenny common nails
1 box small staples
Scrap roofing (about 2 yards)

Tools needed:
Hammer
Saw
Square
Pencil

Constructing the Skylight

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