Do you take care of those comforting skylights on your roof? How do you figure out if you need a few repairs or a skylight replacement?
Like the rest of your roof components, skylights also need regular upkeep. And when their days are over, you need to replace them on priority.
Now, you may have a few questions in mind, which we are going to answer:
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What is the function of skylights?
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Do I really need to replace my skylights?
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What if I reflash or repair them instead?
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What to keep in mind while getting new skylights?
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What does it cost?
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How much time does this take?
Before we begin with the skylight replacement topic, it’s essential to discuss the function of skylights. After that, it’ll be easier for you to understand why you need to replace them when you should.
What Is The Function Of Skylights?
Some people also call them ‘Roof Windows.’ Skylights are much more than a beautiful touch.
Cooling And Lighting
Skylights fill your home with natural light. When expert roofers place them precisely, it ensures your room lights up without getting heated.
Good For Body And Mind
Did you know that natural sunlight is a way for a healthy lifestyle and a happy mind? It enhances sleep and reduces stress.
Protect Attic And Roof Deck
They help balance your room’s temperature and humidity levels which is necessary for ventilation and insulation. Otherwise, scorching summers or monsoons- every season can cause moisture damage.
Comfort And Privacy
Many homeowners enjoy the comfort of a window that keeps up with their privacy. Install one in a bathroom, living room, or hallway, and it’ll be perfect.
Eco-Friendly And Pocket-Friendly
With proper skylights in place, you save lots of dollars on electricity. This means you are also cutting down your carbon footprint significantly.
So, when you think about skylight replacement, the first thing is to determine whether your skylights are beyond repair. After that, it will be much easier to understand why you need new skylights.
Do I Really Need To Replace My Skylights?
While it sounds like a simple yes or no question, there is more to this than meets the eye. After a decade, ordinary skylights can’t perform these functions properly.
There are plenty of telltale signs that your old skylights can’t be fixed now, and you need to replace them.
Here are three serious reasons to call for a skylight replacement:
#1 Age Of Your Skylights
There are various skylights with different expiry dates, strengths, and designs.
The basic rule of thumb says that your skylights will stay in shape for up to 10 years. After that, you’ll start facing these issues:
- Cracks on the glazing
- Discoloration and hazy moisture build-up on the glass.
- Eventually, everything will lead to leakage, ventilation and insulation issues, and attic and roof damage.
If you live in Denver, hail damage is a big issue every year. And ordinary skylights are not designed to take several hits.
#2 Damaged skylights
If your skylights look fusty and pale, you should know it’s on the verge of breaking down. These are signs of severe damage, and asking for immediate skylight replacement. There can be several reasons behind it, for example:
- Minimal or no maintenance
- Very old skylights
- Reusing old skylights on a new roof
- Pulling off quick fixes instead of professional repair
These are some huge mistakes you need to avoid. All of this leads to roof damage.
#3 Roof Damage
Skylights, if installed correctly, won’t lead to leaks and roof damage. But if you disassemble and reflash them on a new roof, this is inevitable. Especially when removing skylights itself is a firsthand issue.
Roof damage is the worst-case scenario. And when it comes to this, skylights won’t be the only thing you’ll be replacing. It is also going to affect your:
- Shingles
- Walls
- Insulation setup
- Ventilation systems
If you still feel that your roofers should carry out repairs instead of skylight replacement, this is what you need to know:
What If I Reflash Or Repair Them Instead?
Did you know that reflashing your old skylights may also revoke its warranty? It means you’ll have to pay for every other repair out of your pocket. The installer and manufacturer of your old skylights won’t be able to validate your warranty after that.
- Moreover, reflashing may shrink quickly. With that, your attic and rooms will suffer a lot of leaks, moisture, cracks, and inadequate ventilation.
- All of that makes way for mold, mildew, and termites. It’s a significant burden for your roof because this directly attacks its wooden structure, i.e., roof sheathing.
- Moreover, poor ventilation and insulation are painful for your HVAC systems, and it shoots up your energy bills in the end.
We hope this helps you understand the need for timely skylight replacement. Because today or tomorrow, you’ll ultimately need new skylights. So it’s better to call for a timely replacement, rather than damaging everything else with old skylights.
What To Keep In Mind While Getting New Skylights?
Do you want to get the best out of your skylights? For that, you need to find the best roofer near you for top-quality products and flawless skylight installation.
Before you call anyone to replace your skylights, you need to get some facts right:
Choose A Roofing Company That Partners With VELUX.
Skylights have been here since the 1800s, but with lots of upgrades. The current best is available with VELUX. This is the most recognized brand in the US that builds high-tech, beautiful, durable skylights.
According to the Insurance Journal, Colorado is the #2 state, and Denver is the #2 city to register hail damage claims in the US. Unlike ordinary companies, VELUX skylights come with sturdy impact models specially designed to tackle heat, fire, hurricanes, hail damage, and leakage.
They make unique skylights with tempered glass with a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. People love these skylights for their cooling effect. In contrast to standard skylights, VELUX skylights successfully screen heat and UV rays.
We have been proud partners of VELUX for a very long time. If you wish for a free consultation, we would be happy to tell you all about our world-class skylight replacement and installation service.
Follow The Building Codes Of Your Area
Building codes of an area lay down proper safety rules and regulations for residential and commercial properties. You and your roofing company are legally required to accommodate these safety rules.
You can take a look at all the building codes for Denver. Verify that your roof roofer is licensed and expired to carry out this job perfectly from start to finish.
Choose From Different Types Of Skylights
You can see skylights in many homes and workplaces. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials for all types of roofs and rooms. It’s actually fun to go through different types of skylights and compare.
Vented
As the name goes, vented skylights work like your regular windows. You can open and close them. You can choose from solar, electrical, and manual operations. They are easy to clean and work best in rooms with high moisture, like the attic, bathroom, kitchen, pantry, and hallways.
VELUX gives you the ‘Fresh Air’ skylights. It opens and closes as the sun comes and goes. It also has an acoustic rain sensor to close the window automatically when it rains. You can even control it with your smartphone. That’s amazing! Isn’t it?
On top of that, the ‘Fresh Air’ skylights qualify for the federal solar tax credit. You’ll get a 26% tax credit on its installation. For your next skylight replacement, this one is a great choice.
Fixed
You don’t need ventilation through all the windows or skylights. Sometimes, you need a space to enjoy the view and sunlight without feeling the heat. Fixed skylights are made just for that. These skylights don’t open and give you a dramatic outside feel.
Tubular
Circular skylights capture light and magnify light through a flexible tunnel and filter. The best part is that you don’t have to make any structural changes to your roof while installing tubular skylights. They cost less and don’t get dirty easily.
For a better understanding, you can check our blog about 5 types of skylights and which one is right for you
What Do Skylight Replacements Cost?
You’ll get a few numbers when you search for the cost of replacing skylights. But those are only the purchasing costs. We can’t define a fixed cost or range without knowing your needs and looking at your home. Anyone who says otherwise is not an expert.
The actual cost of skylight replacements depends on several factors:
- The purchasing price of the window itself.
- Cost of flashing and other installation material.
- Price of its accessories like blinds, filters, remote, ceiling design, etc.
- Labor charges of the roofing company you hire.
Rather than searching the net, call a roofer for an estimate. This will not only help you with financing but also put more options in front of you.
We Can Help You With Skylight Replacements
At Sol Vista Roofing, we welcome all your questions with an open heart. Most homeowners in Denver prefer VELUX skylights and depend on our expert craftsmanship, honesty, and knowledge.
We give the most accurate estimate, simple explanation, and world-class service. Using the latest technology and sustainable practices, our team finds out what’s best for your roof and takes you through the whole process step by step.
You can contact us at (720) 712-3516. Team Sol Vista Roofing is always excited to improve your home and workplace.
