Installing skylights isn't for the faint of heart. Even contractors must take extra precautions when cutting and pasting skylights. Whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, there are several steps to installing skylights properly.

1. Decide where you want to place it. In what part of your home do you need or want more light? Bedroom? Dining room? Family room? Placement is key. Is there a clear path for the light? Are there rafters or equipment in the way? Does your house have an attic or crawl space? The skylight installs on the outside and the incoming light must pass through an open space before making it to the opening in your chosen ceiling.


2. Once you decide where the light will fall you must decide where to cut open the roof so that a channel from roof to ceiling will line up. Wear proper clothing and keep all tools handy to prevent accidents. Professional roofers use harnesses, and it makes sense for installing skylights.


3. The outside roof cutting and basic skylight installing should be done on a day with no chance of rain. It should all be finished the same day. After the skylight is attached, you can take your time working from the inside.


4. Taking care with cutting through interior insulation, an angled (sloping roof) or straight-through (flat roof) channel descends from the skylight to the interior ceiling that has previously been cut as perfectly as possible. The channel is then fastened in place and you're home free.


5. Note that care must be taken all along the way to make sure everything is sealed tight and insulation provided for the channel and any interior light fixtures properly installed.

Domed skylight glazing can either be energy-saving plastic or glass, while flat skylights are usually special eco-friendly glass.