How to Install a Tubular Skylight in a Hallway

Not many things enhance a room more than a warm dose of sunlight. But in some cases, getting natural light into a drab corner or a dark hallway can be quite a challenge. Suzy and Mark Galler invited Ron over to their home in Redding, Connecticut to help them shed some light on their hallway.

Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

View Complete Video on How to Install Tubular Skylight.

Ron suggested that they put in a tubular skylight, which is a cylinder that passes through the roof and attic ending up in the hallway ceiling. Sunlight is collected at the top of the tube and directed downward. Ron selected a product manufactured by Solatube.

1. Measurements
Begin by measuring the distance from the roof to where the skylight will be installed, to make sure that you purchase a tube of the proper length.

2. Determine location
The first step is to decide where in the ceiling to locate the skylight. Using a stud finder, locate the ceiling joists and then explore the options between these joints. Once you have decided on a location, mark a reference line around the skylight. Next, drill a hole in the approximate center of the circle and insert a screwdriver.

Next, go up in the attic, locate the screwdriver and confirm that the opening will in fact fall between the joists and that there are no other obstructions.

It is important to create a hole that lies exactly in the center between the two joists. Once you have determined the exact center, hold a plumb bob over this location. Wait for the swinging to stop, and then mark the point on the roof that's directly above the hole in the ceiling.

Once again, you want to be certain that this lies directly between the two rafters. The solar tube is a 14-inch unit so you need to make sure that it is exactly in the center.

Once you have located the center point, drill through the ceiling. Then take an ordinary coat hanger, cut out a section of wire and insert it through the roof so that you can locate the hole from the outside.

3. Install lower end of tube
Return to the hallway to begin installing the bottom section of the tube. Create a makeshift compass by drilling two holes exactly 7 inches apart in a thin strip of wood. Insert a screw driver into the hole on one end of this wooden strip and then insert the screwdriver into the hole in the ceiling created earlier to mark the center of the skylight location. Then insert a pencil in the other end of the wooden strip to draw a perfect 14-inch circle on the ceiling. Cut the circle out of the ceiling with a drywall saw.

Set the bottom tube assembly into the hole you just cut and temporarily attach it with screws. If you look up through the hole, you should be able to see the coat hanger that you stuck through the ceiling up above.

4. Install upper assembly
The roof assembly unit includes attached flashing that creates the seal around the piece of the upper dome called the turret dome. Turn this unit bottom side up, and center it right over the coat hanger protruding through the roof. Use a lumber crayon to outline the opening.

Next, use a cordless, battery-operated reciprocal saw to cut the circle out and begin with a plunge cut. When cutting, it is better to stay toward the outside of the thick crayon line.

Screw a piece of scrap lumber to the circle to prevent the cut-out from falling through and damaging the ceiling.

Before setting the flashing in place, apply a bead of sealant around the base and then use a shingle ripper to separate and loosen the shingles above the opening. Then slip the flashing up and under the loosened shingles.

Once the flashing section is in place, it s time to install what is called the top tube. This is basically the same as the bottom tube that went up in the ceiling, except that it goes on the top.

Drop the top tube down inside the flashing and through the hole in the roof. Check to see whether the top tube is aligned with the bottom tube. If not, then you will need to rotate the lower adjustable section of the tube so it is angling toward the bottom tube.

Use foil tape to tape the seams and lock them in place. The last thing you need to do before installing the top tube is to remove the protective liner on the inside of the tube.

The tubular skylight uses a solar collector to concentrate sunlight and direct it down the reflective shaft. This collector attaches to the top rim.

Finally, place the acrylic dome on the top of the skylight and screw it in place. Secure the flashing assembly with screws and then weatherproof the heads with a dollop of caulk.

5. Extension tube
Use the sheets of strip metal to form the extension tube, which is the middle tube that connects the top and bottom tubes. These strips are held together by tabs on the edges of the sheets. Again use aluminum tape to seal the seams and prevent light leakage.

After the tube is assembled, peel off the protective film inside, revealing the mirror like reflective surface. This extension tube is now ready to connect the top and bottom together.

Before adding the extension, you may choose to first install an iris, which will allow you to control the amount of light that comes through here. The iris works much the same way a dimmer switch works on an overhead light fixture.

The iris sets in place right on top of the bottom tube and is secured with screws. Once the iris is attached, unscrew and then lower the bottom tube, which will allow room to insert the centerpiece. Push the bottom tube back up into place and then connect the sections together. Once again use aluminum tape to seal the seams.

Finally, attach a diffuser to the bottom tube to soften the light coming into the hallway and to finish the skylight.