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How To Install A Tubular Skylight

Looking for tunnel skylight installation instructions? You have come to the right place, the following articles will help you

Instructions For Installing Tubular Skylights

First ckeck that all parts are in the box. Note the kit comes with a 10 inch and a 14 inch circle template. Pay attension that you use the correct template when cutting the holes. The templates look alike; the 14 inch template is a bit longer. There is no roof sealant with this kit, so you will have to buy some.
Pick a cooler day to work in the attic, as it can become quite warm up there. Working on a roof can be dangerous, so pick good weather with no wind or rain. To avoid slippery asphalt shingles, choose a dry day. It may also be necessary to use a safety rope on steeper roofs.

ODL tubular skylights will fit roofs with a roof pitch between 3:12 and 12:12 (roof pitch is how far the roof drops vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal run.

The straighter the tube is vertically, the better the results, as this places the dome directly above the ceiling diffuser. Also the more the dome is in the sunlight, the brighter the light at the diffuser. Do not pick a spot on the roof where it would be in shadows most of the day.

Survey the attic area for your desired location. It should be free of wires, plumbing, roof valleys and anything that might prevent the install. Clear the area of insulation and drive a small 2 inch nail between the ceiling joists in the approximate location.
Next go into the room where the diffuser will go and find the nail protuding out of the ceiling. Using this nail as a guide, decide on the exact location for the diffuser and drive a nail in the center of the circle, upward into the attic.
You now have established where to cut the hole, but before you do, go back into the attic with a hammer, nail, pencil and plumb line. For a direct vertical installation, hang the plumb string directly over the nail end poking through the ceiling and mark an X on the roof plywood.

Next drive a nail or drill a small hole on the X upward through the plywood and asphalt shingles. If you decided to drill, then poke a piece of coat hanger wire through the hole; this will allow you to find the spot on the roof to cut the circle for the adjustable light tube. For an offset installation drive a nail between the roof joists in the proper location. Both adjustable tubes can angle up to 45 degrees to avoid objects in the way.

Use the circle template to draw the circle on the ceiling and on the asphalt shingles. To use the template, slip the one end over the nail and on the other end, place a pencil and draw a complete circle. Use the shorter hole length of the template for the ceiling and the longer for the roof. When you have cut the circle for the ceiling ring, place a piece of cardboard over the hole in the attic to stop wood chips and insulation from dropping into the room when you cut the roof hole. You can remove the cardboard in the ceiling after the hole is cut in the roof.
Drill a 3/8 inch hole into the roof plywood to start the blade of a reciprocating sabre saw and then cut the hole. When cutting the ceiling hole use a gyprock hand saw to cut the hole.

On the roof, use a flat bar to break the seal of the shingles and remove any nails in the way of the roof flashing. Use tin snips to cut the asphalt shingles away over the hole. The flashing will slip into place by laying it flat on the roof and by gently sliding it uphill into place.
When you are sure the fit is good, remove the roof flashing and apply a roof sealant completly around the hole on the bottom of the flashing. Insert it back into place and secure the flashing with the 2 inch screws and washers. Cover any exposed nail heads with sealant.

Back in the room, turn the flip tabs of the ceiling ring inward and slide the trim ring up into the ceiling hole. Reach through the hole and turn the flip tabs out, which will hold the ring in place. Secure the ring by tightening the screws in the bottom of the ring ring, but do not overtighten.

Back on the roof when measuring the length of the tubing, measure the distance from the top of the roof flashing (longest side) to the ceiling. Take note there is a upper section and a lower section of tubing, choose the lower tube as the upper section will not fit into the ceiling ring properly. Using tin snips, cut the tubing to length.
Drop the cut tubing through the roof flashing with the turned edge of the tubing on the lower side, then press downward until you feel it click into place in the ceiling ring.
Place the top tube dome onto the roof flashing. Spin the dome until the letter N on the dome faces North. Press down snugly and secure the dome Secure the dome with the short screws provided along with the rubber washers, in the kit (drill 1/32 inch pilot holes first); Do not overtighten.

Finally back in the room, install the glass diffuser assembly to the ceiling ring. To install, align the diffuser with the three tabs on the trim ring and turn clockwise until snug.

Installation Complete!

Pitched Ridid Sun Tunnel Skylight
Perfect solution for rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, walk-in-closets and halls.
Tunnel Skylights bring bright white daylight into small spaces and rooms where other
types of skylights would not fit. The complete installation does not take a lot of time
and not to many tools are required.

Disclaimer
The material provided on this site is intended for information purposes only.

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How To Install Tubular Skylights Tips, For The Average Person