Skylight Outside Cover

OldCoot · 08-03-2012, 12:05 PM

Trying to come up with a way to reduce the heat from the skylight in the bathroom, I decided to make a cover for the outside. It will hopefully serve 2 purposes: 1) Reduce heat to the bathroom 2) Provide some protection from hail possibly damaging the skylight.

Thought about a cover for inside, but didn't want the heat trapped between the cover and the inside pane/skylight.

Now, to mount it and seal it to the roof with Eternabond or equivalent.

ddavis662 · 08-03-2012, 01:19 PM

WOW, very ingenious!
You ought to market that idea!?
Is that a thick metal window screen?

MotocrossCamper · 08-03-2012, 01:23 PM

Nice job! That kind of looks like mine, I just can't decide if I want it permanent or not.

ddavis662 · 08-03-2012, 01:30 PM

I know it sounds stupid and would be costly.....
But I was thinking about completely covering mine with EB tape.

OldCoot · 08-03-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddavis662

WOW, very ingenious!
You ought to market that idea!?
Is that a thick metal window screen?

Got it at Lowes and it is 0.020" thick alum.
Amazon.com: 24x36.020 Lincane Sheet ( 1 Sheet): Home Improvement

OldCoot · 08-03-2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotocrossCamper

Nice job! That kind of looks like mine, I just can't decide if I want it permanent or not.

Haven't decided that either. Would like to leave it up there and see what happens traveling down the road. May remove a few screws for the skylight frame and use those and then re-seal it.

ddavis662 · 08-03-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Got it at Lowes and it is 0.020" thick alum.
Amazon.com: 24x36.020 Lincane Sheet ( 1 Sheet): Home Improvement

Thanks!

softwarejoe · 08-03-2012, 03:45 PM

I was in boon-docking 1 time and weather took a turn for the worse. Fearing hail was on its way I used what I had on hand. Ya know those green superstore baskets ya put groceries in. I found they fit perfectly over my skylights. They cut down the light so I left em up their till it was time to pack up and head home. Glad I didn't drive off with them still on the roof

OldCoot · 08-03-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotocrossCamper

Nice job! That kind of looks like mine, I just can't decide if I want it permanent or not.

How about some pictures?

golfmedik · 08-03-2012, 06:17 PM

I got tired of the heat myself so I decided to paint mine. Some have said that if you paint it, it will black it out. Well, I tried Krylon Fusion Gloss White paint on some plexiglass and it let light through. So, I taped off the roof and painted the skylight after I cleaned it well. This is a pic of the inside around 11 am with the sun directly on the camper. The reduction in heat was amazing and from the outside, it matches the roof.

**Terier** · 08-03-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfmedik

I got tired of the heat myself so I decided to paint mine. Some have said that if you paint it, it will black it out. Well, I tried Krylon Fusion Gloss White paint on some plexiglass and it let light through. So, I taped off the roof and painted the skylight after I cleaned it well. This is a pic of the inside around 11 am with the sun directly on the camper. The reduction in heat was amazing and from the outside, it matches the roof.

golfmedik - how long ago did you paint it? I was considering using a frosted white paint on my skylight at one time but decided to wait. With all of the sun here I was worried the paint wouldn't last.

golfmedik · 08-03-2012, 07:26 PM

I painted it only 4 weeks ago. I got really tired of the heat, especially a month ago during our Myrtle Beach vacation. The sun/heat coming in was relentless. I was worried about the paint too, but I guess time will tell. I can tell you this though the paint is gloss white which goes on very smooth and slick. I cleaned the dome with dawn and Spray Nine and let dry before painting. Even it if starts to flake, it doesn't take long to correct it. I was totally amazed at the amount of heat that the paint has stopped.

**Terier** · 08-03-2012, 07:31 PM

Please do keep me updated. I'm interested in doing this because the skylight cover is the only thing that gives my trailer age away. It has that brownish yellowish discolor to it.

OldCoot · 08-03-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terier

Please do keep me updated. I'm interested in doing this because the skylight cover is the only thing that gives my trailer age away. It has that brownish yellowish discolor to it.

Why not just get some of the paint for plastic and give it a try? What is there to lose? Like the one guy said, it doesn't take long to correct it.

**Terier** · 08-03-2012, 07:39 PM

True and it would be a quick and easy fix. But I do like the cover you made and it wouldn't need any regular touch ups. I bet the light coming through the holes at night will look nice too.

PS
Good job on designing and creating it.

OldCoot · 08-03-2012, 07:49 PM

I have a sketch of the flat layout of the cover for the outside with dimensions if anyone wants it, just pm me with your email address.

OldCoot · 08-10-2012, 02:32 PM

After leaving the cover on the trailer for several days without anchoring it, I got back on top and discovered a couple of pine needles under the cover. Knowing this would be a major problem when the needles really start dropping this fall/winter, I decided I needed some way to clean them out. I came up with a removable alum. top panel held in place with 2 ss sheetmetal screws. Now, I think I'm ready to permanently mount the cover.

OldCoot · 08-26-2012, 08:56 PM

Got some 6" white EverSeal roof tape and cut a 4' length down to (2) 3" x 30" and (2) 3" x 18", cleaned all around the skylight with acetone and glued the skylight cover down with the tape. Just hope it holds it. Didn't put any screws in it because I didn't want to penetrate the roof. I guess our next trip will reveal whether it holds or not. Now to decide whether to paint it white or not. Suggestions?