Frequently Asked Questions
At Sol Coast Construction, we install and service Illume Skylights, KSV300 Solar Roof Ventilators, premium Australian-made aluminium Attic Ladders & Attic Flooring, and roof screw replacement & minor roof works across the Sunshine Coast.
Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions our clients ask. If you don’t see your question, please fill out the enquiry form at the bottom of this page — we’ll get back to you quickly, and may even add your question here to help future customers.
Skylight FAQs
How much does a skylight cost?
Short answer: It depends on the size, style, and number of skylights you need.
Detailed: Pricing varies depending on how much illumination you need, the shape you prefer (square, round, or rectangular), and how many skylights you’d like installed. Illume Skylights are designed in increments to suit different room sizes, measured by square metres of illumination. Supply and installation start from our smaller skylight options, with discounts available when installing multiple skylights. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a tailored quote — that way you know the exact cost for your home.
How long will it take to install my skylight?
Short answer: Most customers have their skylights installed within 2–6 weeks.
Detailed: Once you accept your quote, we generally have your Illume Skylight kit ready within 10 business days. From there, we’ll arrange a convenient installation date. Most customers have their skylights installed within 2 to 6 weeks of placing their order. We keep you updated every step of the way so you can plan with confidence.
Does my skylight come with a warranty?
Short answer: Yes — all Kimberley products include a 5-year warranty.
Detailed: As a premium Australian manufacturer, Kimberley Products backs all of their products — including Illume Skylights, KSV300 Solar Roof Ventilators, and Australian-made Attic Ladders — with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.
At Sol Coast Construction, we also warranty our workmanship as a QBCC-licensed contractor, giving you double peace of mind. In the very rare event of a fault, dispute, or performance issue, we’ll work with you directly to resolve it before escalation. Kimberley Products are excellent partners and will promptly replace any faulty product — it’s never a drama.
Rest assured, your installation is covered both for product and workmanship, and you can trust that the job is carried out to the highest standard.
Can I turn my skylight off or dim it?
Short answer: Yes — with a remote-control dimming kit.
Detailed: You can upgrade to an Illume remote dimming kit, which allows you to dim or completely switch off your skylight. This feature is popular in media rooms where you want full control for movie nights, or in bedrooms where you may prefer a darker setting for a sleep-in. The flexibility makes your skylight even more practical for everyday living.
Does my skylight work at night?
Short answer: Not by default, but you can add an AC driver for mains power.
Detailed: Standard Illume Skylights operate with their solar panel, meaning they come on gradually with sunrise, shine at full brightness during the day, and fade as the sun sets. If you’d like nighttime use, we can install an AC driver that connects the skylight to your mains power. This is often done by connecting to an existing downlight via a 413 socket. This option is particularly handy in pantries, hallways, or other areas where you’d like illumination after dark.
Do skylights work when it’s raining or overcast?
Short answer: Yes — they still work, but at a reduced level.
Detailed: Illume Skylights work on a relative basis to outside light conditions. On sunny days, they operate at full brightness. On cloudy or rainy days, their output may reduce to around 60%, but because the rest of the house is darker too, the skylight still provides strong illumination where you need it most.
Are Illume Skylights waterproof?
Short answer: Virtually waterproof and designed for Australian roofs.
Detailed: For corrugated Colorbond roofs, your Illume solar panel is mounted high on the ridgeline. Only a 13mm hole is drilled into the high side of the roofing orb. This hole is protected by a rubber grommet, sealed with silicone, and shielded by the solar panel itself — making the system virtually leak-proof.
For tiled roofs, the solar panel brackets slide neatly under existing tiles. The cable is run discreetly under the tiles, and in some cases a small groove is cut into the back of a tile to ensure everything sits flush. This method ensures a neat, watertight, and durable installation.
Can you install skylights in any type of roof?
Short answer: Yes — almost any roof or ceiling style can be accommodated.
Detailed: Illume Skylights can be installed in virtually all roof types, including Colorbond, tiled, vaulted ceilings, exposed trusses, or exposed rafters. Even if your home has asbestos, fibreboard, or cement sheet ceilings, we can install a surface-mount skylight. These sit around 10mm proud of the ceiling on a metal backing tray, secured with minimal disruption. At Sol Coast Construction, we’ve worked with all types of roofs and ceilings — so no matter your setup, we’ll have a solution that works.
Do Illume Skylights get hot like traditional skylights?
Short answer: No — they don’t generate heat.
Detailed: Unlike traditional glass skylights, Illume Skylights use a patented LED diffuser that simulates natural daylight. The LEDs are low-powered and generate no heat, making them safe for bathrooms, kitchens, and humid areas. Because they’re a sealed unit, there’s also no risk of bugs, dirt, or condensation building up inside — a common issue with solar tubes and Velux windows. Once installed, Illume Skylights are completely maintenance-free.
What happens to my Illume Skylight at night?
Short answer: It fades out when the sun goes down.
Detailed: Standard Illume Skylights run purely from solar energy. As the sun sets, your skylight fades out and is not illuminated at night. If you want nighttime illumination, an AC driver add-on can be installed. This plugs into a standard 413 socket, letting you operate your skylight from the same wall switch as your downlights. If a 413 socket isn’t available, an electrician can install one. This is popular in pantries and hallways where one fitting can serve as both a day and night light.
Can I turn off my Illume Skylight?
Short answer: Standard models turn on with the sun, but add-ons allow you to switch off or dim them.
Detailed: Standard Illume Skylights automatically operate from sunrise to sunset. However, a remote-control dimming kitallows you to switch them off or dim them to your preferred brightness. This is ideal for media rooms (to watch TV in darkness) or bedrooms (to enjoy a sleep-in). The skylight resets each morning, turning back on with the sunrise.
Do Illume Skylights have a battery?
Short answer: No — for safety reasons they are solar only.
Detailed: Illume Skylights do not contain batteries. Lithium batteries present a fire risk in hot roof cavities, so Illume designed their system to run purely from free solar energy. This makes the skylight safe, simple, and maintenance-free.
Want to learn more and compare illume to other skylight systems then check our guide on best skylight Sunshine Coast 2026
Roof Ventilator FAQs
How many roof ventilators do I need for my home?
Short answer: One KSV300 covers 240m³ of roof space — most medium homes need one, larger homes may need two.
Detailed: Each KSV300 solar roof ventilator is designed to effectively ventilate up to 240 cubic metres of roof space. The exact number you need depends on the pitch of your roof and the size of your floor plan. For most small to medium Australian homes, a single, centrally located unit will be sufficient. Larger homes may require two units strategically placed on either end of a ridgeline to maximise airflow. For optimal results, we can also install eave vents, which help your KSV300 breathe more efficiently by improving intake airflow.
Do KSV300 roof ventilators only come in black?
Short answer: No — they’re available in both black and white.
Detailed: While black is the most common option, many Australian homes are finished in light tones such as Surfmist® Colorbond white. To match your roof aesthetic, the KSV300 is also available in white at no extra cost. This ensures your solar roof ventilator blends neatly with your home’s style.
Can my solar roof ventilator be ducted to a room below?
Short answer: Yes — we can duct your KSV300 directly to specific rooms.
Detailed: The KSV300 can be fitted with a ducting kit to target airflow directly into a specific room such as a garage, bathroom, or walk-in wardrobe. This is particularly effective in reducing humidity, mould, or stale air. By installing a four-way ceiling splitter, the KSV300 can be focused on one or multiple problem areas.
Keep in mind: when a KSV300 is ducted into a room, it no longer draws air from your roof cavity. For full coverage, many homeowners choose to install two units — one dedicated to ventilating the roof space and another ducted to the room below for targeted air movement.
Attic Ladder FAQs
How do I know if I can have an attic ladder installed?
Short answer: Call us and we’ll measure your roof space for free.
Detailed: Every roof space is different, so the best way to know if an attic ladder is possible is to have us measure up. We’ll check your truss spacing, ceiling height, and access points to make sure installation is safe and practical. Our premium attic ladders are designed to fit neatly between standard trusses, and we’ll ensure you have enough access and egress space for safe use.
Are attic ladders safe?
Short answer: Yes — all of our ladders are Australian made, aluminium, and tested to standards.
Detailed: Safety is built into every attic ladder we install. Our ladders are Australian made from aluminium and rated to carry up to 150kg. Each ladder includes a sturdy handrail for safe entry and exit. With an opening size of 550mm x 1200mm, you’ll have plenty of clearance to bring up storage boxes or larger items without struggle.
Will an attic ladder damage my garage floor (e.g. epoxy)?
Short answer: No — our ladders have rubber feet that protect floors.
Detailed: Our premium attic ladders are designed with hardened rubber feet that sit gently on your floor surface. Whether your garage has an epoxy finish, tiles, or timber, the feet won’t scratch or mark. This means you can use your ladder confidently without worrying about floor damage.
Are attic ladders easy to open and close?
Short answer: Yes — gas struts make them effortless to operate.
Detailed: All of our attic ladders are fitted with gas struts and springs, making them extremely smooth and easy to use. Opening requires minimal effort, and when closing you only need to guide it part of the way — the struts will take over and gently seal the ladder into place. This makes attic ladders convenient for everyday access to storage.
Do you also offer attic flooring?
Short answer: Yes — we can floor out your attic space by the square metre.
Detailed: In addition to installing attic ladders, we can floor out a section of your attic to create safe, usable storage space. Flooring is charged by the square metre and is completely reversible — if access to wiring or services is ever needed, the flooring can be lifted and reinstalled with ease. This makes it an ideal, flexible way to maximise your home’s roof space without permanent alterations.
Learn more about attic ladders here in our installation guide
Roof Screw FAQs
How much does it cost to replace my roof screws?
Short answer: Generally less than $1 per screw.
Detailed: Replacing roof screws is one of the best preventative maintenance jobs you can do. On average, screws cost less than
How many roof screws do I have?
Short answer: Best confirmed with a site visit.
Detailed: The number of screws varies depending on your roof profile and sheet count. We’ll visit your home, inspect your roof, and provide an estimate based on experience.
What type of screws do you use?
Short answer: Class 5 roofing screws — the highest corrosion-resistant grade to Australian Standards.
Detailed: We replace screws like for like with Class 5 corrosion-resistant roofing screws, which are galvanised, colour-matched to your roof sheets, and compliant with Australian Standards.
Is it safe to replace roof screws?
Short answer: It’s high-risk work, but we’re fully trained and equipped.
Detailed: Working on roofs is inherently dangerous. Our team has 25+ years’ experience and always uses a fall-restraint system (anchor points, harnesses, ropes). Safety is our top priority.
Can I replace roof screws myself?
Short answer: You could, but it’s best left to professionals.
Detailed: Installing roof screws requires careful torque balance. Under-tightening can cause vibration, while over-tightening can crush the neoprene seal and dent sheets, causing leaks. Combined with the fall risk, we strongly recommend leaving this job to licensed professionals.
Have more questions?
We’re always adding to this FAQ page. If you have a question not listed here, please fill out our enquiry form. We’ll respond quickly and may include your question here to help other customers in the future.