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Curb or Deck mounted skylights

lettusbee | Posted in General Discussion on October 14, 2008 06:24am

I am used to replacing older curb mounted skylights with deck mounted skylights.

Why? cuz the dude that taught me always did it that way.  But now I need to know other points of view on the subject.

What I usually come across in my work is asphalt shingle roofs, 4 in 12 to 12 in 12 pitch.  There is usually an older bubble top skylight mounted on a curb.  My SOP is to replace with a deck mounted velux. 

I am only familiar with velux skylights. 

I’ve always gone with the deck mounted at my suppliers urging. 

Someone please educate me with different points of view as to whether or not I should be encouraging my clients to go with deck mounts or curb mounts.

I am on the front range of Northern Colorado (Ft Collins)
We can have snow standing on roofs for weeks, just not every year

Thanks

David

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  1. dude | Oct 14, 2008 10:58am | #1

     call Velux Technical Assistance i found them helpful

  2. Piffin | Oct 14, 2008 02:06pm | #2

    I've used hundreds of velux skylights but never heard of a deck mounted one. They all have their own curb and flashing kit. Maybe it is your terminology that is confusing me. Velux is top of the line.

    Those bubble lights are junk whether they are curb or deck mount, but the curb slightly better if you build the curb right. But I am surprised they last as long as a shingle roof in that higher elevation with greater UV eating it and making it brittle. As far as I am concerned, they ought to be outlawed.

     

     

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    1. seeyou | Oct 14, 2008 02:48pm | #3

      Velux has a new line to compete with the trouble bubbles. They are just the skylight - you provide the curb. We installed 6 on a job this summer. They are certainly of lower quality. Two of them were bad and I had the curbs reflashed since I naturally thought it was something we did wrong. The Velux name doesn't mean what it used to. They've muddied the water with this low price line. IMHO, I thought Velux skylights were a great bargain at value vs cost.View Image

      1. Piffin | Oct 14, 2008 03:34pm | #4

        Thanks, I'll mark that down. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

    2. lettusbee | Oct 14, 2008 04:33pm | #6

      A deck mounted skylight has nailing flanges on the frame that are nailed directly to the roof sheathing.  You do not build a curb for the installation.  They sit flatter on the roof.  Here is velux link:

      http://www.veluxusa.com/products/residentialSkylights/skylights/fixed/FS/

      I've attached a pic of the most recet replacement that I did.  I wish I had a before pic.  The old unit must have had a gallon of tar holding it in place between the original layer of roofing, and the new layer.  There was no chance of easing the shingles out of the way to pull old unit.  Had to cut it out. 

       

      1. Piffin | Oct 14, 2008 04:47pm | #7

        OK, it is terminology. That is the frame/curb included that I use. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  3. comfun1 | Oct 14, 2008 03:56pm | #5

    I put six bubble type in the home I built to live in twenty years ago. They are still here, no leaks, no breaks despite several hail storms. Five were 2x4 with their own metal flashing and one was a 4x4 that we had to build a curb for.  Inexpensive and never a problem.  I don't know what the brand was but they were not from one of the big box lumber yards. Maybe they were better quality. Only problem I ever had was a little too much light from the 4x4 but I took care of that with a piece of shade cloth.

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