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  • My skylights in my house don’t open because they don’t clear the box they’re built into. The frames are built on the roof beam/trusses and then they are boxed through the loft space. I need to take a 10-20mm out of the top of the box/beam at the opening edge in order for them to have enough clearance to open. You can see in this picture where the frame is set back from where they are boxed in.

    Would an oscillating multicutter be the best way to do this in a confined space? Taking ~10mm out of a roof beam isn’t going to make my house explode is it? (There is also the thickness of the boxing to clear.) This feels DIY-able but if someone tells me to leave it to a pro I’d be happy to…

  • There's a rebate built into the sides of the frame (arrowed), for the surround to slot into. Accepts 12.5mm plasterboard or ply. If there's any scope for un-bogging that.

    As Howard says, are you sure you want to open them now?
    The vent flap shouldn't cause too much of a problem, but id be cautious unlocking and expecting the pivot hinges to open and then close again.


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  • I'm going to take an armchair punt here too!

    I would measure the depth of the beam under the window frame, use a track saw with depth set to 19mm and multitool to finish the cut at each end. Pull the ply off the beam and see if the window opens.

    If it does open, put a stud between the rafters under the beam and screw the ply to it, tidy up the edge of the ply with some small beading to stop condensation collecting there and decorate.

    If it doesn't open then remove the whole piece of plasterboard and put stud recessed in the rafters and put the ply back on top of the stud.

    In answer to your question about the multitool, yes, definitely a useful tool tackling this kind of job.

    I would use a track saw to cut as much as possible because it will be a lot neater and quicker but it depends if you have one available and how easy is it to hold it up there.

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