Manufactured home skylights tend to be problematic because they create a thermal bridge between your roof and the ceiling.
If your skylights are leaking, removing them is an effective way to prevent the recurrence of sieve-like leaking.
When getting rid of skylights, you need to remove the unit plus the entire housing to facilitate proper repairs.
While eliminating skylights is an ideal solution to chronic leaks and other roof problems, you will be left with deep ceiling holes – an ugly reminder the skylights were there.
So, What Can Be Done With The Ceiling After Removing The Skylight?
Depending on your interests, you can use the ceiling differently.
For instance, you can convert it to a decent storage unit by hanging a pot rack if the hole is in the kitchen.
When the skylight is removed, it exposes the rafters or trusses, allowing you to install framing that will support sheathing to the opening in the roof and ceiling.
You can also install a quality vapor barrier to ward off air leakage.
Next, you can:
- patch the roof and ceiling with drywall
- install proper roofing,
- then tap and paint the newly installed drywall to match the existing ceiling.
Deciding on what to do with the ceiling after removing the skylight can be overwhelming.
You may want to disguise the ceiling hole and add light without making it outrageously strange.
When making that ‘ugly’ ceiling hole useful, you will need to be concerned with possible leaking of heat if you live in a cold room.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can make use of that hole. In this article, you will find more about removing skylights in your manufactured home and clever ideas on how to make use of the ceiling hole left.
Before getting into ideas for making your ceiling modern after removing a skylight, let’s look at these important topics.
Should You Remove Your Skylight And Why?
For many years, skylights have been used as a creative way to let natural light into manufactured homes.
When installed correctly, they allow light into your room without allowing water or snow to flow into your house.
Because skylights are tricky to install, they can unintentionally lead to leaks and other roof issues as a result of improper installation.
For this reason, you need to keep an eye on any signs of leakage. The most obvious sign that your skylight is leaking is dripping water.
If you don’t spot any dripping water, check if water condenses inside the roof’s interior.
Poorly insulated or air-sealed skylights can cause moisture damages like the growth of moss, mold, and mildew.
When your skylight starts to leak, you have the option to eliminate it or have it replaced by a professional.
In most cases, you will consider removing it due to the annoying experience.
Besides, you are not guaranteed that the replacement will be sufficient or will just heighten the problem.
After removing your skylight, make sure to air-seal the ceiling to avoid condensation and other moisture-related issues in the future.
However, removing your skylight is not always the best decision.
In the case where removing the skylight makes your manufactured home too dark, you may consider replacing it and ensure it is professionally done.
Related: Do Manufactured Homes Need Ridge Vents?
How To Repair Ceiling Hole After Skylight Is Removed
If you remove your skylight(s) for whatever reason, it leaves an ugly hole that will remind you of the skylight.
After seeing a ceiling hole, the first thing that comes to your mind is repairing it to get a uniform ceiling with no cavities.
Fortunately, concealing the ceiling hole left after removing a skylight is a do-it-yourself job that doesn’t require any special skill.
If you doubt your ability to do it correctly, you can contract a roofer to do it. It won’t cost a lot.
To disguise the ceiling hole and keep your ceiling looking modern, here is the how-to.
1. Create A Nailing Surface On The Frame
Depending on what is simpler for you, you can do it in two different ways and get the same result.
- You can cut the drywall back about ½-inch on each side
- or screw a 1-by-1 wood around the inside of the frame of the hole where you removed the skylight.
This will definitely create enough surface to nail the sheetrock you are about to install.
2. Measure The New Hole
The new opening dimensions are simply the distance between corners after cutting back the drywall.
Measuring ensures you buy a piece that fits snuggly into the hole.
3. Add insulation
If you live in a very cold climate, the last thing you want is ac/heat leaking from inside your rooms.
Tucking some fiberglass insulation in the hole will enhance energy efficiency.
4. Patch The New Drywall
Now on the main thing. Nail up drywall, mud, tape, and sand. You are now halfway done.
5. Paint The New Drywall
After you disguise the ceiling hole, you don’t want it to stand out because it will remind you of the bad experience you had with the skylight.
Stain the patch to match the older tone so that it faintly disappears.
You can now relax and admire your work – your ceiling has uniform finishing and no ugly cavities.
Related: Can Skylights Be Painted?
Five Additional Ideas For A Ceiling After Removing The Skylight
While there are multiple ways to make a ceiling hole useful, the final decision ultimately depends on your interests.
You may want to disguise the hole and add some light or turn it into something that brings meaning to life without sacrificing the aesthetic feel of your space.
With that said, here are some ideas that will bring light amidst confusion on what to do with the ceiling after removing your skylights.
1. Setting up a cove lighting
The ultimate reason for installing skylights is to let natural light into your room.
After removing them, you might consider lighting your rooms, especially if your walls are dark.
To accomplish this,
- add a framing about 6 inches into the hole and panel it.
- Paint the panels in chalk white
- then install cove lighting to create an ambient glow in your home.
2. Hang a pot rack
This sounds crazy, right?
Manufactured homes are generally small; therefore, it is imperative to create extra storage space when possible.
If you remove a skylight in your kitchen, you can turn the recessed hole into an awesome storage unit.
You can design a shelf that will fit up there and use it to store seasonal stuff or hang a pot rack to keep your pot, pans, and other considerably heavy kitchen items.
Thankfully, installing a hanging pot rack is an easy DIY project.
You can design a pot rack that fits in the opening as if the hole was left intentionally.
Pot racks are also a great way
- to make ceiling holes useful
- enhance convenience
- create extra space in cabinets
- and keep your manufactured home organized.
3. Cover with a stained glass panel
Even after removing the skylight, you really need some light in your home.
If you don’t need extra light, covering the opening with faux stained glass will do.
For extra light, you can install a few low wattage bulbs for an aesthetic accent light or night light.
The good news is that covering the opening with a stained glass panel will make it look as if it was done on purpose, not something you did to conceal a nasty ceiling hole.
A stained glass panel with lights will make your ceiling look smooth and mark it as lightly textured to appear brighter.
4. Put a mirror up there to cover it
If you remove a skylight that lets natural light into your bedroom, you can make very crazy decisions to have the ceiling hole hidden.
One of the most outlandish ways you can cover the opening is installing a mirror to bounce light around. This is relatively easy as all you need is to install a cheap frame that will hold the mirror in place.
Concealing ceiling holes with a mirror is a great way to bring light to dark rooms.
At crazy moments you can use it as a grooming aid and walk out confidently knowing you are looking lovely. Mirrors create an accent and make your rooms feel larger.
5. Install pendant lights
If you have a limited budget, installing pendant lights where you removed skylights can be a great inexpensive way to continue lighting your rooms.
You will still get light and alleviate the oddness of the ceiling holes.
Conclusion
The ceiling hole left after removing your manufactured home skylights looks odd.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can eliminate the horror it brings and make the opening useful.
With the above tips, you will find something to do with the ceiling after removing the skylights.