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paulz
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# Posted: 16 Apr 2017 11:56am
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See photo. My cabin is surrounded by tall redwood trees. They have a habit of dropping branches, long straight things that come down like spears. Before I built I had a climber spend a day breaking off any suspects. Since then two have dropped onto the roof, fracturing the shingles and sheathing. Not much I can do about it, wonder what others living under them do.
The 4ft. skylight sits right over the bed. One of my favorite pastimes is laying there wondering if we would survive.. So I'm wondering how to protect it without killing the light it provides. A metal cage on the roof? Expanded metal or fencing on the inside screwed to the rafters?
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rockies
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# Posted: 16 Apr 2017 06:51pm
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Put a sheet of polycarbonate over the skylight.
http://www.canplastics.com/features/polycarbonate-shatterproof-stuff/
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 16 Apr 2017 07:13pm
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There is 2 types of skylights. Those that leak and those that are going to leak. But now, there is 3, those that will break, and then leak. 
Away, a guy could make a slip on cover. Also, some expanded metal cover too. It may stil break if hit hard enough, but it would keep it from coming in and hitting someone.
This is expanded metal: http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/hrsteel2.phtml?page=expanded
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 17 Apr 2017 01:11pm
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Hmm, polycarbonate, hadn't thought of that. Wonder if it would stop a branch falling from 100ft.
I like the expanded metal on the inside idea, only problem is cleaning the cob webs above it.
Thanks guys.
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old greybeard
Member
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# Posted: 17 Apr 2017 02:41pm
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how about window security film:
https://www.amazon.com/S8MC-Window-Security-Safety-Clear/dp/B00FRLJTTU/ref=sr_1_1/136 -4944741-7660004?ie=UTF8&qid=1492454442&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=window+security+film&ps c=1
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2017 12:13pm
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Thanks, that's an idea, but it doesn't say if it's pliable enough for a domed skylight.
How about some kind of netting?
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drb777
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2017 12:49pm - Edited by: drb777
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In my business, the EPA and state regs require that we cover open-top tanks for bird protection. For that purpose, suppliers have developed UV resistant netting that has proved to be quite tough and long lasting.
http://www.coastalnetting.com/wildlife-protection-systems/tank-netting.html
For your purposes, I'd think it would need to be suspended at least a foot above the roof.
Curious problem you have, reminds me of greenhouse "hail guards" we used to fabricate using a tubular frame and chicken wire, years ago when I worked at a welding shop pt while in school.
Good luck finding a solution.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2017 01:47pm
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Kevlar netting. Polycarbonate is tough but will shatter. Kevlar will stop nearly anything.
People have been killed by redwood branches falling as you describe- right thru the roof. That, and the constant moisture under redwoods, makes them a not so desireable place to live. Nice place to visit....
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2017 04:36pm
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Thanks guys, netting sounds like a good option.
BI, interesting that you mention living under the redwoods. I originally planned to build a house and live there but built the cabin first to see what life would be like. It is beautiful in all but the wet seasons (and this last one was a whopper) but I'm still not sure I would want it for any more than a weekend getaway. Being under those trees saps my energy for some reason (maybe it's the constant work!). Curiously though, there are many neighbors living in the same area, most with enough money to live anywhere, who seem to love it.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2017 10:47pm
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Knew a professor who had a house in a deep redwood grove. All his books started to get moldy, so he moved into town...
Varies from place to place, depending. I like shade, but I also like sun. To each his own.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2017 12:21pm - Edited by: paulz
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I know the feeling. This winter I'd get to the cabin after a week of rain and the newspaper next to the wood stove wouldn't even light. Most of my lot and redwoods are down in the the valley floor. After being out there playing around for a couple of winters I realized how much better it was just 150' feet up my hillside, so I built my cabin up there. There are still redwoods up slope from it but the ground is much drier. In winter the path of the sun comes from behind those trees, thinning them out would really help.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 21 May 2017 04:41pm
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Great when you find a use for something you have kicking around. I found a piece of wire fence behind my shed exactly the right size. Nailed it to the sides of the skylight. Not pretty but hopefully effective.
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