Domed Skylights and Tubular Skylights in Boca Raton, Fl

Skylights are a great addition to any room. They illuminate the room and give a nice view of clouds in the day. At night you get to see the stars. You might want to add a skylight at your home. They illuminate hard to light interior spaces. They are awesome. Alternatively,  you may need to replace a skylight. Regardless, you have come to the right place and found the right contractors in the Boca Raton area.

This page will discus the different types of skylights and the installation process. Read on fellow skylight lovers :)

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Windows aren't always the best solution for introducing natural light into your home. Traditional domed skylights could be an option. But you will need room on the ceiling to install them.  A simpler option might be a tubular skylights. They can be more economical and efficient. We will get to the differences a little further down.

Skylight Contractors

A skylight instillation requires a roofing permit. This is true on a new building instillation or to replace an existing one. Hence, only a licensed roofing contractor can install or replace an existing unit.

The most common reason to replace a skylight is because the old one leaks. Many people ask us if we can just replace the skylight dome. Unfortunately, we can't. All skylights in South Florida have to be tested in a wind tunnel. The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires it. The manufacturer tests the entire assembly of a skylight.  They don't test the dome alone. Hence,  replacing  a skylight dome only doesn't meet the standard.

Impact Skylights

All of our skylights can be upgraded to impact resistance upon request. The impact resistant models will meet your insurance requirements for wind mitigation. And our  installers will make sure they pass the inspection.

Insurance wind coverage requirements is the second most common reason to replace a skylight. Units over 5 years old are probably not impact rated. We receive phone calls from customers everyday wanting to know if we can determine that their existing skylight is impact resistant. Clearly their insurance provider is bothering them. Unfortunately a site inspection cant tell. The only hope is that a permit was pulled listing the manufacturer and model number. This is just another good example of why we should always pull permits for construction projects.

Skylight Instillation

There is a lot of work at hand doing an instillation. Unlike a window install there is roofing work to be done. Its a full days work for a three man crew. One has to remove the roofing around the skylight first.  There are strict standards that must be followed. The types of screws, size and placement are inspected by the building department to ensure durability.  Then the roofing system rebuilt. New flashings are needed. The underalyment laid in shingle fashion and sealed with approved mastic. And finally the tiles, shingles or in the case of flat roofs, the cap sheet replaced.

How much to install a skylight?

Permit for a Skylight

I cant tell you how many times I'm asked why one needs a permit to replace a skylight. And here is the answer; A skylight is part of the building envelope. Just like windows and doors, your roofing system and wall, they are subject to hurricane winds that can be in excess of 18o mph. Window and doors are in danger of blowing out if a skylight is breached during a high wind event. That's why insurance companies make a big deal of them. A permit only costs an extra few hundred dollars. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Always use permits on construction projects

Skylights 

Domed Skylights and Tubular Skylights

There are two varieties.  They can be curb-mount skylights or self-flashing. The difference between the two is simply. Its their installation methods. Curb mounted skylights need a curb on the roof to secure them on. That's usually wood framing the skylight unit sits on and gets screwed to.  Self-flashing units come with an aluminum curb already attached to them. They don’t need a curb built for them. We install them by screwing them down and sealing the flange.

Domed skylights are made with aluminum frames and acrylic skylight domes. The dome is acrylic and can be clear or tinted bronze. The domes are insulated, meaning they are double domed. This makes them hurricane resistant or impact resistant. It also cuts down on the heat transfer from outside. As professional contractor, we will walk you though the process and help you make all the right decisions.

There may be a down side to a new domed skylight. A new instillation requires a large hole be cut in the ceiling. You'll need new wood framing . You might need to modify the roof trusses. And finally, there is a lot of drywall work and painting. A tubular skylight, as discussed below, may be a better option for you.

Types of Domed Skylights

Self Flashing Skylights

Curb Mounted Skylights

Circular Skylights

Tubular Skylights

Tubular Skylights are compact and deliver a large supply of light in an energy-efficient manner. These units could be the smartest choice for your home. They fit nicely in hallways, bathrooms, laundry and storage rooms. Their modest styling can match with your home’s decor quite nicely. And unlike traditional skylights, tubular skylights install quickly. They don’t require cutting and modifying your homes trusses. And they affect the roof and ceiling just a little bit. Tube skylights install on the roof. The “tube” runs through the attic. A small hole is cut in your ceiling. The inside lens is all that shows.

Tube units do a better job blocking the Ultra Violet rays from the Sun than do traditional  domes. This prevents fading of your furniture, flooring, carpeting and anything else. Tubular skylights allow less solar heat gain in to your home too.

Tubes are virtually maintenance free. You may want to polish the tubular skylight dome from time to time, but you don't have to. The designed to be enjoyed as is.

How Much Light Do Solar Tube Skylights let in?

Tube Skylights aren't going to let in as much light as a domed skylights. They are not as big. These skylights let in the equivalent light of a 60 watt to 100 watt light bulb.

How big should your new Tubular Skylight be?

A 10″ Tubular Skylight can light 150 sq. ft.  A 14″ tubular skylight can light to 300 sq. ft. Let us know much light you want, and we can calculate the correct size.

This video estimates how much light is let in in terms of a 60KW light bulb

Skylight Installers

Installing a Skylight

Skylights can beautify and enhance just about any room in your home. You might have a dark kitchen, bathroom or hallway that needs a little more light to show off its features. The instillation of new skylights will most certainly make your home feel warmer. Don’t worry that the instillation might make your home hotter. Today’s skylights can come with double panes and with “low-e”, for “low emissivity”, and are very energy efficient.

You will want to setup and install in an appropriate place. Install skylights in a place that gives the most light in your selected indoor space. A dark hallway or bedroom is a good example. Instillation and placement of them on the roof is quit important. Don't install them in roof valleys. Installing tham on the shady side of the roof may not be a good idea either.

Skylight Ceiling

When you choose to install a new skylight you may have to cut the ceiling and make an opening to let the light in. If you want a large one you may even need to move some trusses around. But don’t worry! We are licenses roofing and building contractors. Our qualified crews can do all of the exterior and interior work. If you want a skylight ceiling, we are your one stop contractor.

Skylight Replacement

Are you looking to replace a skylight? The roofing experts at Preventive offer stunning, high-performance skylights for homeowners in Boca Raton, FL just like you. You get your own little piece of the sky while enjoying big savings and an exceptional customer experience.

Skylight Company

Preventive Maintenance Support Services is proud to be one of the few companies in South Florida that truly specializes in skylight replacement and new skylight instillation. As mentioned above, the work can require three trades; Roofing, Building and interior finishing. PMSS all three with our crews and no subcontractors

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Call now for more information or a free estimate 561-586-5655