Skylight- any problem replacing original?

If your skylight or roof are not leaking, and your skylight is not rusting away, do not replace your skylight until it’s time to replace your roof. Especially since you’re not complaining about snow or rain pouring in, any vent you want to seal in winter can be easily wrapped or covered (duct tape and tarp or bubble wrap), whether from outside or inside. The majority of skylights are vented (though not visually obvious) to release moisture or heat. Louvers are most often for commercial applications.

cupolacoffee

in Skylight 12 years ago

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noparkslope | 12 years ago

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I have a brownstone with the original glass and metal skylight above the stairwell.  It has permanently open louvered vents that through which heat flows out to the outside. Good in summer but terrible in winter. Is there any reason not to replace this with a modern skylight that I can open and close?  Are there code issues? Permits? Fire code? This is a legal 2-family (once was 3). Is there some virtue to the old ways that I am missing (I have seen people replace them with new identical skylights but–why??) Is security an issue?   I read a thread on this that was inconclusive and went off into discussion of attics. I’m not talking about attic venting.  For the record: There is no real attic, just the void between the slightly pitched roof and the interior ceiling, and there is nothing at all between the finished off interior space of the stairwell and the existing skylight.

BobMarvin | 12 years ago

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That “void between the slightly pitched roof and the interior ceiling” called the cockloft _should_ be vented. In fact, if you, or a previous owner, had insullation blown into the cockloft you probably had additional vents installed, to avoid condensation.

BSDOD | 12 years ago

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The skylights you speak of are not code.

presidentst | 12 years ago

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Why would they not be code?  Don’t think you need to vent a skylight for a 2-family.

needmtg | 12 years ago

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All skylights are vented? I have two original ones that are not and i’ve seen others. If the skylight shaft is sealed from the cockloft, why should that section be vented? It’s the cockloft area that needs venting. Is this not correct?