Installing Skylights in My Tiny House

One of the features I knew I wanted in my tiny house from the very beginning was skylights. Living in a small space, natural light is key to making the house feel open and bright, and skylights provide a perfect solution. Recently, I tackled the installation of not one, but two skylights—and the result is stunning. Here’s how the process went down.

Why Skylights?

Skylights bring so many benefits to a small space like a tiny house. Not only do they flood the interior with natural light, but they also create a stronger connection to the outdoors. I loved the idea of making the living room/kitchen area feel more open and larger.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Skylights

Before diving into the installation, I spent some time researching skylights to find the right ones for my tiny house. I ended up going with the brand recommended by my designer. It just made everything easier, and I knew they would fit because the roof framing was designed for this spec. I chose to go with fixed skylights because they’re more affordable and I knew I wouldn’t really open them even if I could. As much as I’d like to think I would, I know myself. 🙂

Step 2: Cutting the Roof

When we sheathed the roof, we sheathed right over the skylight frames, similar to how we covered up the windows. From inside the tiny house, we used a zippy saw to cut holes in the corner of the frame. Then on top of the roof, we drew lines using a level so we knew where to cut.

When it came to cutting out the sheathing, Doug volunteered. And I’m so glad he did. He wanted to use a skill saw, which I think is the scariest power tool known to man. So, go Doug! Phil kept an eye on the inside to make sure he was cutting within the frame and not cutting into the studs.

Step 3: Installing the Skylights

With the holes cut, we had to add a 2×4 frame on top of the roof. The skylight sits on top of this frame. We used leftover 2x4s from framing the house, and drilled pocket holes into the sides so that we could easily screw in the box to the roof sheathing. Phil had a great idea to clamp scrap 2x4s to the interior frame so the box would have something to lay against. This allowed them to make sure the box was installed correctly.

Next, it was time for flashing. I bought the Velux flashing kit. This was a modular kit that could fit multiple window sizes. First, we added flashing tape on the box, similar to the flashing tape for the windows.

The flashing kit came with metal pieces that could accommodate both a 2×4 or a 2×6 frame. I had to snap off a little piece that had a perforated edge for each piece. We nailed these in, overlapping by about 3″ on the left and right side of the box. We used roofing nails and made sure to nail them in high enough so the skylight would cover them when resting on top of the box.

There were also two long pieces for the top and bottom flashing. Once those were nailed in, it was time for the skylight! It was surprisingly light, and I was able to hand the skylight to Phil and Doug on the roof. I ran inside to help them make sure it was centered on the frame. Then, Doug screwed in the sides to attach the skylight to the frame.

Skylights are weak points for a roof, so I’ll have to be super conscientious when I add the metal roofing around them. I’ll definitely need to make sure it’s sealed well enough to not let water or any other elements through.

The Result: Light, Bright, and Open

The difference the skylights make in my tiny house is amazing. The loft now feels so much more open, and the natural light pouring into the living area really enhances the overall feel of the space. I can’t wait to spend my mornings looking out the skylights!

What I Learned

• Waterproofing is Key: Proper flashing and sealing around the skylights were essential to avoid leaks. I’m so glad I took the time to double-check everything.
• Skylights Make a Huge Difference: If you’re thinking about adding skylights to your own tiny house, I highly recommend it. They make the space feel so much bigger, and the natural light is unbeatable.

Final Thoughts

Installing the skylights was one of those projects that truly transformed my tiny house. It’s one more step toward creating the cozy, light-filled tiny home I’ve always dreamed of. <3

Check out the video on YouTube on Kay’s Tiny House.