Cabin Skylights

A skylight is a highly useful addition to the summer cabin or cottage. Hot air and cooking odors rise to the top of the room and collect in the pocket formed by the roof and walls. If there is a skylight in the roof, opening it releases these impurities and permits fresh air to enter through ordinary windows and doors. A skylight in the kitchen roof is a source of comfort to the summer cook. Besides improving ventilation, it increases the illumination, a welcome condition in any cabin.

Construction of a skylight is no more difficult than the installation of an ordinary window. In some ways it is simpler. There are several methods of doing the job. One is to cut an opening in the roof somewhat smaller in size than the sash that is to be installed. Then, around this opening, construct a box that ex­tends up from the roof a few inches. The outside dimen­sions of the box should be about an inch less all around than the outside measurements of the sash. Install metal flashing all around the box, letting it run to the top edges and for several inches each way beneath the roof covering. Hinge the sash to the upper edge of the box in such a way that it projects an inch beyond each side. Along the lower surface of the sash, near the bottom edge, cut a groove to prevent water from creeping back into the joint. If water gets in between the sash and box in sufficient quantity to cause trouble, it generally can be stopped by nailing a strip of sheet copper or painted tinplate about 3 in. wide, all around the sash, so that it projects downward in the form of an apron.

Frame around the skylight opening, when the roof is being erected, in the same manner as around ordi­nary window openings. Make a light frame to fit the opening and cover it with screen-wire, to keep out insects. The sash can be raised and lowered by a notched bar or rod extending downward through the lower part of this frame, to a point where it can be reached from the inside.

Another way of installing a skylight sash is to mount it flat against the roof and build a box a few inches

Easy ways of building windows and skylights are shown here. The detail drawings make clear the manner of construction.

high around it, installing flashing as before, and pro­viding drain holes along the lower side.

In the winter, and when the cabin is dosed, the sky­light should be covered with a board that fits either over the sash or the surrounding box, depending on the type of construction. While ordinary glass can be used, it is safer to employ regular skylight glass, or at least the variety that is reinforced by imbedded wire so that a tree limb or stone falling on it will not shatter it.

It is by straying away from ordinary construction that the builder of a cabin can introduce the interesting details that mark the difference between a charming recreational retreat and an ordinary shack. Among the best places to introduce these little refinements, many of them less costly than ordinary construction, are the doors and windows.

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