We had a wonderful homeowner in South Tampa call us last spring. The living room was dark and no matter how many lamps she put in the room, she wanted to have more natural light in her living room and didn’t know where to start.
I walked her through her home to get a look at the pitch of her roof and determined that we would recommend a tubular skylight for her long, narrow hallway and a fixed skylight for her main living area. A week went by and I received a photo of her newly remodeled space. It was amazing! The room looked brand new.
This type of change is what you can expect from a quality skylight installation Tampa service to bring to your home.
What Is Skylight Installation?
We cut an opening in your roof deck and frame to install a weather-tight, insulated skylight unit. We also flash the opening and install it as a curb-mount or deck-mount, depending on your type of roof. We also finish off the well from the inside.
A properly installed roof will keep water out for years to come, but a poorly installed roof can leak by the second rainy season. In Tampa, with its heavy summer showers and hurricane season, it is critical to get the flashing installed correctly.
Types of Skylights We Install
Not every skylight fits every home. Here is what we work with most often.
Fixed skylights are the most common. They do not open. They let in light and that is it. They work well in living rooms, kitchens, and hallways. They are also the most budget-friendly option.
Vented skylights open to let air in. Some are manual. Some have a remote motor. In Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel, where homes can feel stuffy even with AC, a vented skylight on the kitchen or bathroom ceiling makes a real difference.
Tubular skylights are small but effective. They use a reflective tube to channel sunlight from the roof into a room. They work in spaces where a full-size skylight would be hard to frame, such as a closet or a narrow hallway.
Flat roof skylights require a different approach. Most Tampa roofing work involves pitched roofs, but many commercial buildings and modern homes have flat sections. We install curb-mounted units designed specifically for flat-roof skylight installations.
Skylight Installation on Different Roof Types
We work with Asphalt Shingle roofs, Tile roofs, Metal roofs and Low-slope roofs. Each of these types of roofs requires a unique approach to flashing.
Roof tile work in Hyde Park and Lutz areas requires extra special care around each individual tile. Simple slapping of flashing over tile does not make a quality repair. Clean removal of the tile, proper preparation of the deck and subsequent tight laying of the tile around the new curb is required.
For Shingle Roofs in Brandon and Westchase, the basic construction is straightforward with step flashing as the standard approach. The quality of the sealant and the overlap between sections is critical in our local climate.
Why Tampa’s Climate Demands More
Florida summers bring afternoon storms that hit fast and hard. Hurricane season runs from June through November. A skylight that is installed to northern standards often fails here within a few years.
All units are flashed with high-wind zone-rated flashing systems. Each Light Well is fully weatherproofed prior to closure of the roof opening. Interior framing of the Light Well is also fully inspected to ensure that it is properly insulated to prevent condensation in humid months.
Skylight Size and Placement
The most common question we get asked regarding skylights is ‘Where should I put the skylight?’
South- and west-facing locations get more direct sun, while east-facing locations get softer, more moderate morning light. A north-facing skylight gives even, indirect light all day long. These are perfect for studios and small rooms where you want constant light without the glare.
Measuring for a roof lantern really depends on the room in question. A good rule of thumb is to cover about five percent of the floor area. There’s no advantage in making a roof light any larger than this as it will only pour more direct sunlight into very small rooms, increasing the temperature and likely to cause fading of soft furnishings.
The homeowner is shown options for placement of the cut material before any decisions are made.
What the Installation Process Looks Like
On day one, we assess the roof from the outside of the property and also from the inside of the property, looking at the attic space and the attic framing for any previous damage, and we mark out the cut lines.
Day two is the installation day for us. This involves us protecting your interior and then cutting out the required opening to form a light well. We then frame this light well, install the product, flash the curb and complete the interior with drywall and trim. Most residential installations are completed in one day.
We don’t leave a job with an open roof overnight.
Get a Skylight Installation Estimate in Tampa
We serve clients in many areas, including Tampa, South Tampa, Hyde Park, Lutz, Brandon, Westchase, Carrollwood, and Wesley Chapel. We can come out and take a look at your roof and then discuss the various options we have for skylight installation in Tampa. You’ll notice a new skylight every morning.
Avatar Roofing gives you a free skylight installation estimate, shows up on time, tells you the truth and does the job right.
