Venting bathroom on the top floor

So I’m about to renovate my bathroom, and one of the issues I’d like to deal with is venting. Currently, there’s no vent in the bathroom.  There _is_ a skylight (one of the old-style pyramidal caps on top that actually does let air in/out), with a cheap piece of plexiglass covering the opening in the bathroom.  But the plexi is ugly, and doesn’t permit air circulation.  It just collects dirt & grime that filters down from the skylight above.  I could remove the plexi, but then my bathroom would be freezing in the wintertime.  Opening is ~ 18×18 inches. As I see it, I have two options: 1\. Figure out a way to replace the plexi with a controllable window, something that could be opened and closed either electrically, or manually with ease. 2\. do something (???) with the plexi to make it look a little nicer, but otherwise leave it as is and bore a separate vent into the roof.  Likely more expensive, and I’m not a fan of drilling holes in my roof. Thoughts?  Suggestions?  What have you done in this situation?  I’d love to go with #1, but I’m stumped on _how_ it’d work.

swngnmonk

in Doors & Windows 13 years and 1 month ago

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dos156 | 13 years and 1 month ago

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We just had this type of work done.  We installed a bathroom fan with a direct vent to the roof.   We felt It really was the best way as installing a fan in the skylight was not an option.  As far as the plexi covering for your skylight, we have a stained glass window..(in operable for opening, but we dont have as much heat escaping out the skylight.  You might consider having a multi pane wooden sash made to replace the plexi, since replacing stain glass would be expensive.

swngnmonk | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Hey, thank you for the info, but to be clear: I’m happy with my skylight as-is. At this point, I’m either going to run a separate vent to the roof, or try and find a way to replace the plexi with an operable opening.  Thank you!

greenmountain | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Skylights are still made like the one you have, but the newer ones have Argon or other gas filled space between two or more glass panes, to conserve heat  You will probably want to cut a larger hole in your roof and maybe secure a  rafter or two.  They can open, with a crank on a long pole, or by motor, or not at all.  They are installed by roofers, but your interior contractor may need to complete the job from the ceiling up to the level of the roof.