temporarily "roofing-in" a skylight?

[suicidal_monkey]

I have a skylight (flat roof) with shattered glass (the kind held together by wires, so it's still in one "piece" in the frame) that I've "painted" over with a layer or two of plasticky-rubbery-paint-stuff called Acrypol. This has kept it watertight for quite a long time (delayed building plans:sideways:). However the piston completely died as well and so now the skylight is very heavy :unsure:and needs to be held open to get onto the roof...

We're planning to completely replace the roof as part of a big build later this year, so I'm looking for a cheap temporary solution to allow us to get up onto the roof in the meantime. It does not need to let light in but it does need to be light, watertight and secure enough. It should not need to last more than 6 months at most, probably much less.

I'm trying to understand if it's feasible to (DIY) remove the shattered glass and to replace it with an insulation board or something and to then "roof" over the top of it - possibly using the same sort of Acrypol stuff or some other waterproof layer.

Has anyone tried/achieved/seen anything similar and might be able to dispense some advice/alternatives?
:helpsmilie2:

[Blunt]

Glass is pretty cheap, why do you not get it replaced?

In my experience, 'temporary' repairs seldom work even temporarily.

I have a domelight in my roof. Triple layered polycarbonate dome sitting on a rectangular base.

https://www.nationaldomelightcompany.co.uk/polycarbonate-domes

Might be an idea for the future.

[Gorion]

Perspex will do the job.  It's light, durable, and if you go with the transparent one, it lets light in as well.

[Penfold]

I'm sure what you mean when you say use an insulation board then 'roof' over the top of it. I presume you mean weatherpoof?

How often do you actually need to get onto the roof?

How secure does it need to be and from what? The elements or from intrusion? If it's the latter then ensure you use something which is approved of SBD (Secure by Design) or whatever - else you may risk your insurance. Knowingly making your house vulnerable is a big no no but I have no idea of the access so that may be irrelevant.

Repair-wise you could literally just doing any of the things you suggest - from a battened down tarp elevated one side to have a run-off to boarding over the top. The weight is cheaply fixed using an actuator. If it's a wood frame then a dome as suggested by Blunty would work well as a temp cover.

If the new aperature in the roof is going to be the same as existing then you could always just buy the new one and have it installed but not permanently fixed so it can be transferred.

[suicidal_monkey]

Thanks -lots to digest!

Roof will be almost completely replaced/restructured, and apertures totally different. The skylight is our access hatch and this fix is to enable simple access again, probably only a handful of times, enough to justify only a small cost.

Really it only needs to secure against weather, but insurance is a point to consider i guess. Not sure how anyone would get onto the roof though...

Getting it re-glazed would mean it's still heavy so would also mean getting the gas piston replaced, and I doubt I could do glazing myself, so labour costs make it v.expensive for the short timeframe. I could try with https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/polycarbonate-sheets-cut-to-size.html or https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/product/corotherm-25mm-clear-multiwall-polycarbonate-roof-sheet-2000mm-x-1050mm-x-25mm.html type stuff of that meets the "secure by design" point? Probably as secure as it is now...

Just replacing the gas piston(s?) might be enough to make it openable, ...can you but those easily enough...?