Create the feeling and sensation of spaciousness without adding to your square footage. Skylights transform neglected spaces into living areas, opening your home to more pleasurable living.

Skylights are a natural compliment to your current window system and the perfect solution for interior rooms with no lighting, or large rooms only partially lit by your windows.

Many homes are built on lots with minimal set backs from the property line and neighbours on either side restricting your natural light supply. Skylights can remedy this situation.

The most common rooms that include skylights are»

• Kitchen        • Bathroom

• Halls            • Foyer/Entrance      • Stairway

Other areas of your home that may benefit include»

• Great room     • Living/Dining Room           • Sunroom

• Pools                • Fitness Room                  • Lofts

You must be cognisant of the skylight size and orientation in order to reduce heat transmission and fading. You may consider bronze glazing for skylights facing south and/or west, but be cautioned that it can distort the appearance of colours of walls and paintings.

Venting skylights are a very popular option and can be ordered with choice of crank handle, telescopic pole or wireless electric remote operator. They can provide additional ventilation in rooms where improved air circulation may be required including kitchens, bathrooms, and sun rooms.

It is recommended that a skylight be 5 – 10% of the floor area of the room. If the room is an odd configuration, it may be more efficient
to install two well placed smaller skylights instead of one larger unit.

If one truss is cut on a roof built on 24” centres, then the new opening has an inside rough opening of 46.5”. If one truss is cut on a roof with 16” centres, then the new opening has an inside rough opening of 30.5”; or 46.5” if two trusses are cut.

Skylight sizes are based on roof truss spacing. The majority of homes have trusses installed on 24” centres. The inside rough opening of a skylight to fit between your trusses, and not require removing a part of the truss, would be 22.5”. You then must decide on the length of your skylight.

Many older homes are built with trusses on 16” centres and the inside rough opening for a skylight to fit in this situation is 14.5”. As above, you can choose from a number of standard lengths. Other leading skylight companies have a very limited selection of sizes for this truss spacing. Columbia offers, as standard lengths; 14.5”, 22.5”, 30.5”, 46.5”, and 70.5” as well as any custom size you may require.

As per the Residential Products section, and different model type, glass skylights are available from an inside rough opening of
14.5” x 14.5” to 46.5” x 46.5”, or 2.75 sq. ft. to 18.75 sq. ft. Any larger unit skylight must be acrylic dome or pyramid. Acrylic skylights are available from an inside rough opening of 14.5” x 14.5” to 94.5” x 94.5”, or 2.75 sq. ft. to 69.5 sq. ft.

ROOF OPTIONS

• Skylights are designed to fit homes with 16” and 24” on centre rafters or trusses. Columbia skylights can be installed on asphalt or fiberglass shingles, slate, cedar shingles or shakes, concrete and Spanish tile, metal roofs, and rubberized membrane – EPDM.

• Columbia step flashing kits are suitable for curb mount models on asphalt shingle and wood shake roofs only.

• Columbia acrylic curb mount dome or pyramid skylights can be installed on all flat roof applications.

Curb Mount:

• Sits on site built 2 x 4, 2 x 6, or 2 x 8 curb with aluminum flashing.
• Minimum 15^o roof pitch for glass.
• Acrylic dome and pyramid models can be installed on flat roofs. The curb must include a cant strip and special flashing for this application.

Self Flashing:

• Installed on roof surface and includes a built in curb.
• Both acrylic and glass models must be installed on a minimum 3:12 pitch roof.
• Does not require metal flashings.

Wood Roof Window:

• Must be installed on minimum 15^o roof pitch.
• For warranty to be valid, a Columbia flashing kit and skylight underlayment must be installed with Columbia roof window.
• Columbia flashing kit suitable for asphalt or fiberglass shingles, or cedar shingles or shakes only.

By choosing the design of your lightwell, you can ensure maximum light distribution and air flow are obtained with flared light shafts.

Splayed Shaft

A splayed lightwell allows illumination over  a larger
inside area.

Angled Shaft

Angling the lightwell can bypass obstructions
impossible to relocate in the roof or attic area. It
also allows you to “direct” the light to any area
other than one directly below the skylight.

Tar and Gravel Roof

A flat roof requires no lightwell allowing maximum
penetration of light to the room below.

Whether you are installing new skylights or replacing warped deteriorated wood skylights that require constant repainting due to excessive condensation, Columbia suggests the VCM or VSF models which feature a white, maintenance free, PVC vinyl interior frame to compliment your existing light well. Columbia skylights feature a wide condensation gutter on all four sides to eliminate damage to your skylight frame and light well walls. The Columbia exterior, powder coated frame is fabricated from a durable aluminum extrusion and will not easily dent, as do other frames made from aluminum flashing. If you have changed your roofing material and your existing brown skylight frame no longer matches, consider Columbia’s new frame colour options including: white, black, and sandalwood. Your new Columbia VCM or VSF skylights, with LoE ³-366 or Solar Reflective glass, are ENERGY STAR® certified and will result in increased energy savings for your home.

Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions: Acrylic Skylights

> Click here for Glass Skylights

Columbia skylights are made from the highest quality extruded acrylic supplied from leading North American manufacturers. The skylights expected life, with regular maintenance, is in excess of twenty years. There are other overseas acrylic suppliers providing lesser quality material that has a shorter lifespan and may yellow and crack. Polycarbonate skylights can also yellow over time, regardless of the source of the material.

Columbia acrylic skylight products should be cleaned periodically. A regular cleaning program of once or twice a year will prevent any noticeable weathering of the plastic skylight lens.

CLEANING PROCEDURE:
1. Pre-rinse the skylight lens to remove excess grit and dust particles, etc.
2. Using a clean, soft cloth or sponge, with a mixture of mild household detergent consisting of 80% lukewarm water and 20% liquid detergent, wash the skylight.
3. Finish with a high power cold water rinse.
4. Dry with a chamois or moist cellulose sponge to prevent water spots.

Note: Plastic cleaners such as Novus or Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze plastic polish, provide a good waxed finish for your plastic skylight products.

Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions: Glass Skylights

> Click here for Acrylic Skylights

Safety should always be considered when cleaning your Columbia skylight. Skylights are not designed to support the weight of humans. Never try to stretch out to a surface for cleaning by leaning away from the ladder. Use safety equipment appropriate for the situation.

Interior

1. Flat glass – New no-drip or foaming formulas a good idea for skylights.
2. Vinyl Frame – Mild soap & water solution should be your first option.
3. Insect screens – Disengage from unit

• Vacuum or brush off dust
• Wash with soapy water and rinse off with hose

4. Other (stained wood, paneling, etc.) – verify effect of cleaning agents with all surfaces. Do not overspray, rather moisten cloth with the cleaner and pass over surface to be cleaned.

Exterior

1. Glass glazing – same procedure as interior

• Pine pitch & tar – citrus-based cleaners can often do a good job. (Do not use concentrated cleaning agents – dilute with water and test first on a small, inconspicuous area.)
• Kerosene is OK if other methods don’t work.

2. Vinyl frame – same procedure as interior

3. Metal retainer frame

• Soap & water, most household spray cleaners. (Keep away from plastic surfaces)
• Car wax can be applied annually to maintain the original gloss of the retainer frame.
• Clean any leaves, needles, or other debris from around the skylight every fall to minimize the chance for ice buildup in the winter.

What is condensation?

Condensation is when water vapor (humidity) changes from air to liquid. This liquid forms into droplets on glass surfaces in a home. Water droplets inside your windows, patio doors, or skylights are an indication of excess moisture in your home and is not formed by water ‘sweating’ into the home. The glass is only a collector of the water that is already in your home condensing from the cooling air.

The air around us contains humidity, and additional humidity is created by cooking, cleaning and showering, thus forming condensation. Condensation is most noticeable on skylights because warm, moist air rises to the ceiling and is more prevalent in new homes. After a few years, new homes tend to dry out and have less moisture problems.

This is a more common problem in winter months when the cooler outside temperature difference is much greater and you begin to heat your home.

What does this mean?

Condensation is an indication that your humidity level is too high; there is too much moisture in your home. You can see this happening on your exterior glass products .Excessive moisture in your home can cause damage to your home in the form of warp, rot, and paint chipping. Most likely, when you have condensation on your windows, patio doors, and skylights; this is also happening in your walls.

What causes high humidity levels?

Normal activities of showers, cooking, dish washing, and even breathing release water into your air. Other common factors include gas appliances, large fish tanks, and house plants.

The problem is more common in newer built homes where the construction methods are ‘tighter’ than older homes which were built more breathable. Tighter built homes have far greater energy and heating efficiencies but tend to trap humidity in as well. Older homes allowed the gained water vapors to escape out, as well as the heat.

This phenomenon occurs generally with rapid decrease in outside temperature in the fall season. During this time, there is a greater difference in temperatures between the warm interior of your home and the colder outdoors. You can decrease the amount of moisture in your home by using a dehumidifier and providing adequate ventilation and air circulation.

Solution Methods

The best way for limiting condensation on skylights is to make sure to have air moving in the skylight wells at all times. Install a ceiling fan that moves air in the direction of the skylight. You can also install an exhaust fan in the sidewall of the skylight well. Of course, purchasing skylights that are built with adequate condensation channels, and ensuring the skylights are properly installed, is critical to controlling condensation. Click here for Columbia’s suggested solutions on reducing condensation. A third option would be to install a Columbia ventilating skylight. These skylights can be opened with manual or electric controls to eliminate the warm, moist air within a home.

You can also take these steps to better ventilate your home:

• Control sources of humidity and moisture.
• Keep interior doors open.
• For a short time every day, try to vent air by opening windows in your home.
• Open a window while showering or cooking.
• Keep attic vents open. Warm, moist air rises and will be vented to the outside.
• Maintain a constant thermostat setting throughout the day; above 20˚ C (68˚ F) is recommended.
• Be sure that air can pass through your blinds and drapes.
• Install a fresh air intake on your furnace.

Keep in mind that excess moisture is already present in your home due to every day activities. Columbia skylights are built with wide condensation gutters that collect accumulated water when extreme condensation conditions occur. Every drop of water is drained to the outside of your home through weep holes.