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Some of my favorite childhood memories center around our family vacations. Growing up  on a family farm meant taking those trips once the harvest was completed, on rainy days,  or on weekends when my dad didn’t have to milk cows! We would load up in the pick-up  truck and head to the North Carolina Mountains twice a year visiting various parks, looking  for rocks, and wading in the creeks. From fresh trout cooked at a roadside cafe, to the smell of the hot coffee and pancake syrup from all you can eat hotel breakfasts, we enjoyed  every twist and turn of the scenic highway. 

As we grew up and moved away from home, my parents continued to enjoy weeklong trips  to Gatlinburg. Seeking a more adventuresome landscape, they embarked on the world of  cruising. Not being comfortable with flying, they drove from Virginia to Florida, setting afloat for weeks at a time to see the world outside of their own landscape! Those crystal blue  waters from the Caribbean and haggling for goods in Mexico were surely enjoyed, but the presentation of the Baked Alaska in the cruise ship dining room seemed to be the one thing  etched in their minds as representing a purely delightful vacation.  

Perplexed with the idea that ice cream could be sandwiched between layers of sponge  cake covered in meringue and toasted without melting is utterly mesmerizing! But this  tasty treat holds a very important secret. The bubbles in the meringue act as an insulator  protecting the ice cream from heat, much like the VELUX engineered dual flashing systems protect skylights from leaking.  

Regardless of the type of roofing product installed, VELUX skylights are backed by the 10  Year “No Leak” warranties when installed correctly. While the Deck Mounted units include  a seal that is nailed to the roof deck and the curb Mounted Skylights have a gasket that  forms a tight seal, both types of products rely on an all-weather underlayment wrapped  around the units and adhered to the roof deck. The underlayment product adds a secure  layer of protection against water penetration, bugs, birds, etc.  

Here is an example of a skylight incorrectly installed without the corresponding flashing  and underlayment versus a unit installed exceeding the VELUX installation guidelines  allowing the unit to qualify for the VELUX No Leak Warranties.

The old term “there’s a method to madness” is no further than the truth when it comes to skylight installation and baking. The success of both processes requires the installers to follow the instructions meticulously. One would not try replacing toasted whipped cream  with meringue. So why would installers skip the step of placing underlayment around the  skylights?  

Raise your spoon to those triumphant baking successes and correct skylight Installations on National Baked Alaska Day, February 1st . Let’s celebrate great memories, tasty treats,  and No Leak Skylights!

I grew up in a time when cartoons were only shown on Saturday mornings. From 7 a.m.  until around noon, children would sit glued to their television sets watching such shows as  the Flintstones, Jetsons, and Land of the Lost. Sandwiched between those programs were  short rhythmic videos, produced by School of Rock, that incorporated educational topics  like grammar, history, science, and math. So, while the eye on the prize was really about  watching cartoons, tidbits of knowledge were woven into unknowing little minds while they  enjoyed their shows! 

Many companies place such an emphasis on setting and reaching sales goals that they  forget the importance of product knowledge, performance, and installation requirements.  In the world of skylights, roof windows, and Sun Tunnels, one size does not fit all. The  VELUX product lines include more than 150 different standard residential products, plus  custom units and commercial solutions. As the VELUX Signature Specialist in the area, our  customer list spans the gamut from homeowners, to roofers, contractors, and roofing  suppliers; our goal is to educate potential clients and or installers on selecting the correct  type of product for the given application. For example, a very kind general contractor  recently reached out to us requesting a quote for the installation of some Sun Tunnels for  an upcoming project. Instead of rattling off a price for them, we discussed the project and  lighting goals. Within minutes, we were able to determine the contractor had not included  a solution whereby the products installed would meet the building code for egress (means  of escape in case of a fire). Not only were we able to sort out the issues with installing Sun  Tunnels in a sleeping space but worked out a plan for the contractor to install VELUX Roof  Windows as a means of egress. 

A clear understanding of how and when to use VELUX Skylights, Sun Tunnels, and Roof  Windows is vital to the success of all projects. Traditional Fixed Skylights are not only a  beautiful architectural element but provide soft ambient light in any given space. Solar venting units are recommended in high humidity areas like kitchens and bathrooms where  

a sensor system can automatically open and close the units as needed. Plus, solar powered blinds can be installed in all standard units allowing homeowners the ability to  control light and stop heat gain/loss. VELUX offers Sun Tunnels and are ideal for  homeowners with long distances from the ceiling to the roof wishing to simply illuminate  dark living spaces. One 14-inch Dome TMR/TGR unit is 3.9 times brighter than a 100-watt  light bulb and works great in spaces measuring 325 square feet or less. Ten-inch Domed  TMR/TGR Sun Tunnels are outstanding in smaller areas like bathrooms and hallways. Flat  Glass units are the perfect solution for south-facing projects. The rules of skylight installation are the same for new cut or replacement projects. Properly or correctly sized  units are necessary in order to prevent condensation and mold issues.  

While VELUX works extremely hard providing online videos and loads of instructional  manuals on-line and within the product boxes; I wish there was a way to inject some sort of catchy tunes to help homeowners, roofers, and contractors better understand the skylight  and Sun Tunnel product line! Fifty-five years later, I still remember most of the fifty-two  recordings offered on Sunday morning by School House Rock!

Several months ago, I had lunch with a really good roofing buddy. He was all excited about his very expensive new truck. Rightfully so, it was a big, beautiful diesel dually wrapped with his company information. Shocked at the price tag, I could not dream of sporting something around town that costs half as much as a house! But he didn’t blink an eye and
claimed, “that truck makes me a lot of money.”

Many years ago, I worked as a subcontractor for a large tubular skylight company. I provided my own tools and truck. Having worked as a General Contractor for fifteen years prior to our partnership, my reliable old truck showed a good deal of wear and tear.

When joining the company, there were two other installers and three salespeople. On rainy days, the phones would ring off the hook from customers reporting leaks on previously installed units. Within four weeks of being hired, the reports of leaking units stopped, and I took over all the installation of the tubular skylights.

I worked with this company for sixteen years and helped it to become one of the top three highest solar tubular sales companies in the United States. Moreover, rumor has it I hold the record for the number of units installed with an average of 800-1000 pieces installed per year.

While my hard work made the company owner a lot of money, he consistently harassed me about replacing my old truck. He thought the dings in the sides from ladders being propped against it gave a bad impression. I guess he failed to remember me, my old truck, and installation skills played a vital role in his success.

Thinking back to those days and the value placed on image, I worry folks forget about the value and knowledge needed to complete a project. Just because an installer rolls-up to a job in a new shiny vehicle doesn’t mean he knows how to do the work. The vehicle driven does not reflect the abilities of the person driving it! In all honesty, it is more important for the guy/gal in the beat-up or new vehicle to have the correct tools/equipment to properly complete the project.

Our goal at Sun4Light, Inc. Is to keep the cost of business as low as possible and pass the savings onto our customers. Overhead or operating expenses like trucks, salespeople, expensive offices, etc. Are all factored in the total cost of the job and or amounts charged to the customer. So, you might see our installation team roll-up to your house in a nonwrapped vehicle or trailer. But rest assured, our trucks are equipped to handle all sorts of construction needs, and our in-house team of factory trained VELUX installers have the skills to do the job!