Roofing Services
Skylight Installation and Repair
At a Glance
- Old skylights get replaced during a roof, not after
- A manufacturer flashing kit is not optional
- Curb mounted and deck mounted are different jobs
- Condensation is not a leak and gets fixed differently
Skylights have a bad reputation they mostly do not deserve. The units built in the last twenty years are reliable. What fails is the seal between the unit and the roof, and that is roofing work, not window work.
Replace It During the Roof
A skylight older than about twenty years should come out when the roof does. The flashing has to be disturbed either way, the shingles around it are already coming off, and doing it later means cutting a finished roof open again.
Skipping it saves a modest amount now and guarantees a second, more expensive visit inside a few years.
Flashing Kits and Why Sealant Is Not One
Every skylight worth installing comes with a flashing kit made for that exact unit and that exact roof material. It is a set of formed pieces that lap in with the shingles.
A skylight set in a bed of roofing cement will hold for a few seasons and then it will not. If you buy a skylight and the price does not mention a flashing kit, ask where it is.
Water That Is Not a Leak
In a cold Iowa January, warm indoor air meets cold glass and condenses. It runs down the inside of the frame and drips, and it looks exactly like a leak.
The difference is timing. A leak follows rain. Condensation follows cold, and it is worst in bathrooms and kitchens. The fix is ventilation and humidity, not a roofer.
Questions About Skylight Installation
How long does a skylight last?
Twenty to thirty years for a good unit. The seal between the panes usually goes before anything else, which shows up as permanent fog between the glass.
Can you add a skylight to any roof?
Most roofs, yes. It depends on the rafter spacing and on what is in the attic above that room. We check before quoting.
Are sun tunnels a good alternative?
For a small windowless room, often better. Less framing work, far fewer leak points and they light a hallway or bathroom well.
Get It Looked At First
No sales call. A roofer looks at the roof and tells you what it needs.