Entry Improvements Opening up Skylights

Finished project: Lobby Skylights Previously the openings for these skylights were only half as long. Lengthing the openings has permitted about 60% more light, as well as providing the homeowners with a view of the stars from the upstarirs railing.

The entrance of our Cranehill project had two jobs that needed to be done.

The first was to patch the existing drywall and repaint. The second task was to make the openings for the three existing skylights twice as long, allowing more natural light to get in.

The foyer walls had large, unsightly drywall seams that needed to be patched, sanded and repainted. Scaffolding was set up to do this work as the entrance opened right up to the second floor ceiling, a height of 22 feet.

Before we could start work on the skylights, by cutting into the ceiling, we had to make sure that we were not going to cut into any electrical or structural supports. Cutting back the openings did not pose any support problems, as the skylights ran parallel to the roof trusses .

The old chandelier was taken down and the electrical was used to feed the seven new pot lights that were installed.

Scaffolding was set up in the foyer to fix the drywall seams. These seams were re-plastered with several coats.

After the final skim coats of plaster had dried the walls were given their final sand and were primed. The paint color is called "Tapestry" and was taken from the rich rust colors in the slate.

Once the scaffolding was set up below a higher platform was constructed out of lumber in order to reach the 22 ft ceiling.

Each of the three skylights were cut back with a Sawzall by one of Renovation Experts' contractors.

The openings for the skylights, once six feet, were made twice as long to allow more light to get into the home.

This view is from the railing on the second floor, that overlooks the foyer. Even before it is finished we can see the improvement.

The new longer skylight openings were drywalled in, plastered, sanded and painted. Seven pot lights replace the single fixture that used to illuminate the lobby.

This diagram shows how the openings were cut back and made longer in order to allow more natural light to filter into the home. The new openings let in about 60% more light.

We worked on on five projects at this Cranehill home. To read about one of the other home improvements click on one of the following articles:

Heated Slate Floor in the Kitchen
Slate Compass in the Foyer
Custom Built-in Library Shelves
Walk-In Closet

Our contractors are available and waiting to help you with your task!

	Web www.renovationexperts.com