Since violent weather seems to be becoming the norm - especially in the Canadian prairies - does anyone have suggestions on how to protect one's skylights from recurring hail damage? For example, would it be wise to put a tarp over the top of the trailer when a bad thunderstorm is brewing?Appreciate any advice.

I doubt that a thin plastic tarp would be much help. a heavy cloth one would be a bear to put away wet, etc.bumpy

I live in Calgary and lost both my vents to hail damage about 2 weeks ago. Had to buy new ones. My AC cover was also damaged but I left that and put foil tape over the hole. I pondered the same question myself.Putting a tarp over it will not help as it offers no protection. I thought of making myself some aluminum lid covers and placing them over the vents when in storage. They would deflect the hail. If you are near me in Calgary I could easily make a few extra for you too. I build solariums and patio covers and carry sheet aluminum and a brake on top of my truck.

Protecting the skylights is probably a good idea but, a tarp will just blow off. I think you would need something solid, or like a thick rubber mat to protect the skylights. And I'm not sure how you would secure it to the roof.Also, what about protecting the rest of the windows/windshield? Hail doesn't always drop straight out of the sky.I think Bob has you covered. Go with his idea. :)

BobsYourUncle wrote: I build solariums and patio covers and carry sheet aluminum and a brake on top of my truck.A brake?

u know a press type deal to bend metal

Protecting skylights from hail damage | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

coachellacanuck
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
richk88 wrote:
lexan rv skylights
Got lexan skylights in my house and they survived the major hail storm we had last year here in Pa.

Checked the website. Turns out I have hooded vents, not skylights.

I am however asking the repair service to source alternatives to the plastic domes, such as the metal ones. Thanks everyone!
3oaks
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
BobsYourUncle wrote:
2oldman wrote:
BobsYourUncle wrote:
I build solariums and patio covers and carry sheet aluminum and a brake on top of my truck.
A brake?

A brake is a large tool for bending sheet metal. It typically has either a 14" or a 19" throat to slip flat stock aluminum into for the purpose of bending it on various angles and shapes to make things such as flashing, cladding etc.
The one I carry on my truck is 12' 6" long
You're never 2 old to learn something.
richk88
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
lexan rv skylights
Got lexan skylights in my house and they survived the major hail storm we had last year here in Pa.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Aug 11, 2015
2oldman wrote:
BobsYourUncle wrote:
I build solariums and patio covers and carry sheet aluminum and a brake on top of my truck.
A brake?

A brake is a large tool for bending sheet metal. It typically has either a 14" or a 19" throat to slip flat stock aluminum into for the purpose of bending it on various angles and shapes to make things such as flashing, cladding etc.
The one I carry on my truck is 12' 6" long
westend
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
A friend of mine had scavenged a Lexan vent cover. I glued the straight bits onto it to fashion an operating vent cover. I think something like that would hold up to hail pretty well. Maybe a local plastics shop could form up what you need.

Lexan lid:
RVhiker
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
How about installing a vent cover? It would be some protection from hail (the plastic in vent covers seems thicker and more flexible than the plastic in the vent lids), and allow you to open your vents in the rain. Here is one example.
3oaks
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015
CavemanCharlie wrote:
It probably would not bother me but, that metal vent cover could be noisy in a heavy rain.
But it would be dryer in a severe hail storm. :B
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2015
It probably would not bother me but, that metal vent cover could be noisy in a heavy rain.
coachellacanuck
Explorer
Aug 10, 2015
djsamuel wrote:
You could get a metal vent (LINK).

I am told that the units that are damaged on my trailer are indeed vents and not skylights. The domed plastic lids that crank open are broken and could be replaced with these. Would make it a little darker in the trailer when closed, I suppose, but that seems a small price to pay for the expense and inconvenience of replacing the plastic lids.

Thanks for this!
djsamuel
Nomad
Aug 10, 2015
You could get a metal vent (LINK).