Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly Asked Questions

Can a skylight leak?

A Skyline Sky-Lite is designed to perform trouble-free.  Every design incorporates a weep system to channel any moisture from within the frame to the exterior and away from the skylight.  The design is not dependent on any exterior wet seals which could fail over time.  If a skylight is mounted properly and sealed to its curb per the manufacturer’s instructions, it is very unlikely that it will ever leak.

Three common errors exist which most often cause skylights to be blamed for leakage.  The first and most common is improper flashing around the skylight curb.  To determine if a leak is the result of poor flashing, allow water to run down the roof from a point above the location of the skylight.  Do not run water directly on the skylight itself.  You will likely see evidence of the leak appearing at this point and you didn’t even wet the skylight.

Secondly, a person unfamiliar with the design of the skylight may decide that the skylight itself is not properly sealed and apply caulking to the edges and integral weep holes.  These are designed to allow condensation and moisture to weep to the outside of the building and sealing them will cause moisture to overflow to the interior.

Thirdly, a low-grade skylight design without a thermally broken frame in the wrong environment may condensate.  This also may be interpreted as a leak.  It is important to select the proper skylight properties for the application within any building.

If my curb is really close to the standard skylight size, can it still work?

Skyline Sky-Lites manufactures standard units with approximately 1/2” tolerance on each side of the perimeter to allow for roofing materials and construction tolerances.  Your curb may be slightly larger or smaller in either direction and still fit.  But the responsibility for providing accurate dimensions for fabrication is up to the customer.

Do I need a curb mount a skylight or a self-flashing skylight?

Self-flashing— A self-flashing aluminum skylight is generally used on a flat roof application where the roofing material is adhered to the integral skylight curb, forming a watertight seal.  The roofing material is to be sealed per manufacturer guidance, preventing water from seeping under the self-flashing flange.

Curb mount— A curb will be required on all roof types other than the typical low-profile composition or asphalt roof.  The roofer installing specialized roofs, such as standing seam metal, tile, shake, etc., will be best able to provide an adequate curb and flashing system for the skylight.

Will an acrylic skylight allow ultraviolet rays through?

The acrylic glazing found in Skyline Sky-Lites inherently blocks about 99% of the ultraviolet light, generally providing adequate protection for the room below.  However, for total protection, it is recommended that direct light be replaced with diffused light, thereby eliminating the “light trail” or “hot spots” associated with direct sunlight.

Can an acrylic skylight make noise?

Acrylic will expand and contract throughout the course of a day as the outside temperature changes.  This can cause a slight crackling sound.  In some applications, this slight noise may be amplified greatly as a result of the skylight well in the ceiling.

Do you offer flashing kits?

No, we do not offer flashing kits.

Is a glass skylight better than a domed skylight?

Please consider the following pros and cons associated with both glass and acrylic glazing to determine which is best for your particular application. The tempered exterior glass used in all of Skylines’ flat glass skylights does retain a higher impact resistance than acrylic, which may be useful in locations prone to hail. You should also consider that a minimum recommended roof pitch is 3 in 12 for a flat glass skylight. Lower pitches may allow water to “pool” on the glass surface which can led to a dirty skylight and the eventual staining of the glass. Domed skylights tend to remain cleaner as rainwater sheds much more quickly as a result of the dome shape itself. Glass skylights do eliminate the potential for notice that may occur with plastic skylights as a result of their increased coefficient of thermal expansion.