MEDIA RELEASE 14 July 2009
Spring DIY: installing a skylight
Spring is a great time to freshen up your home with some easy-to-do home
improvements. Installing a skylight is a great way to let in natural light, save
on power bills and increase the overall ambiance of your living spaces.
Michael Bonello, managing director of Skydome, said people with a basic
knowledge of carpentry can install a simple skylight. For those not wanting to
take on the whole job, a professional installer can be called in to take care of
the ceiling installation.
"Installing a skylight is not overly labour-intensive and is a project that can
be completed in a few hours. A skylight will make a tremendous difference to the
look and feel of a room; natural light makes colours look brighter and people
feel better," said Bonello.
Before installing a skylight you first need to consider:
1. The room you are installing the skylight as different rooms require different
levels of light. For instance, kitchens and bathrooms generally require more
light than bedrooms
2. If a particular part of the room needs to be illuminated as this will
determine the position and size of the skylight
3. The position of the skylight. For example, if it is facing west, you may need
to consider offsetting the light intensity by using blinds.
Whether you have a tiled or corrugated roof, there are some basic steps to
follow when installing a skylight yourself:
1. Determine the position in the room you want the skylight to be located
2. Check the ceiling for obstacles such as major beams, pipes or electrical
wiring
3. By removing tiles or cutting into the roof, create a hole where your skylight
will sit and ensure that any flashing, seals or skirting is fixed according to
instructions
4. Carefully line up the skylight roof position to the ceiling below. This can
be done using a plumb-bob and then putting a nail into the ceiling to act as a
guide
5. Once you have created a hole in the ceiling to fit the size of your skylight,
you can commence the ceiling installation
6. A simple and cost effective means of guiding the light to the room is a light
carrying (roof to room) flexible tubing system like Skyflex. This is a
reflective, lightweight tube that can be cut and sized to suit the application
and deliver the light directly to the room below without the need for building a
gyprok or timber lightwell in the ceiling cavity
7. When installing the Skyflex fit it to the Skydome base on the roof first,
remembering to keep it taut for the best light performance. Use duct tape on
joins or gaps to ensure no dust or bugs get into openings
8. Finally, fit the diffuser panel.
Skydome currently offers three types of skylights each with unique features and
applications: Skydome, Skytube and Skywindow and glass Skydomes.
The original Skydome skylights are available in a wide range of sizes and models
and come in square and rectangular variations as well as circular and pyramid
shapes.
The Skytube, a tubular skylight, is ideal for bathrooms, hallways, kitchens,
walk-in robes or any room too small to install a traditional Skydome but still
in need of natural light. Skytubes are also suited to larger rooms that require
task lighting. It is supplied as a complete kit so no extra building materials
are required.
Finally, Skydome's Skywindows are ideal for reclaimed attics and lofts to add
natural light and ventilation. Skywindows are double glazed and timber lined.
Skydome, a member of the Skylight Industry Association, was established in 1976
by Michael Bonello and the company and its products are officially recognised as
Australian owned and made.
For more information on Skydome, its products and installation, visit
www.skydome.com.au or call 13 14 24.
Released for Skydome by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations (www.drpr.com.au)
For further information please call Joanna Gitsham or Kim Larochelle on (02)
9413 4244.
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