Cutting beam of ceiling for large skylight

Please help me. A few days ago, roof man (he did nice job) installed skylights (14″x60 ) on the extended room (16’x20′) built back of 3 family house. The reason why I chose the size of skylight was space between beam 14″ apart, without cutting beams. However I realized that the size was too small and not much light coming in due to the small size and height of curb ( 4″-6″). Roofer said curb must be higher for flat roof. I want to have ideally 5’x5′. Or install another one, but roofer said skylight can’t be installed right next each other, one space after. In that case, I want to remove the small one and install big one. But I am so afraid that beams have to be cut. People said just hire good carpenter. How do I know if he is good or not. Anyone who cut ceiling beam of flat roof for skylight? It is ok to cut beam? How beam support should be? Please recommend “good carpenter” for this job. I really need help now. Thank you in advance.

bubu

in Skylight 13 years and 6 months ago

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greenmountain | 13 years and 6 months ago

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It won’t give you a view of the sky, but you can install relatively small lenses which concentrate sunlight, even at the opposite end of tube.

snowman2 | 13 years and 6 months ago

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What jim hill said.  I did it over 10 years ago on my main roof and never had a problem.  The reframing was done by my roofer.

dazednconfused2 | 13 years and 6 months ago

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For a 5’x5′ skylight, you’ll probably have to cut at least two or three roof joists (beams).  The cut joists would be headered off at the opening, the header being a joist running perpendicular to the cut joists, carrying the cut end of the joists, and transferring the load to the existing joists on either side of the opening.  For this kind of opening you really should double up the joists on either side of the opening to support the added weight.