Avoid Skylight Seal Failure
If you replace your roof but not your skylights, you might experience seal failure. This is signalled by having fogged and inefficient glass on the skylight. When your new roof is put in, roofers working on your property might end up loosening the seal on the skylights when they install the new shingles.
Using old skylights with a new roof can cause leaks.
Even if your skylight has been near perfect in the past years, there is a high chance that youll experience roof leaks following the installation of your new roof. No matter how skilled your contractor may be, ruffling with that old skylight can cause problems.
Many homeowners are not aware that building materials end up expanding and contracting over time depending on the temperature and weather conditions. Additionally, in order to install a new skylight, the whole structure needs to be disassembled and put back together. This process can create many problems in the structure of the skylights if they have started to corrode. Not to mention, re-flashing an existing skylight can void its warranty.
Replacing a skylight is inevitable.
Skylights have a short warranty for a reason. The inexpensive plexiglass bubble skylights often crack easily, especially when exposed to fluctuating temperatures. However, even the high-quality skylights start to warp over time. Why not prevent the costly replacement later on by getting a package deal much earlier?
In summary, you should replace skylights with a new roof because
Always Get Skylights Replaced When Getting A Roof Installed
We cant stress this enough! A roof replacement is a big deal. The tear-off phase is certainly going to disturb your skylights. There are no kitten gloves that can stop this. Even the best and newest skylights stand a large statistical chance of being compromised. Wood frame, bubble and plastic panes, and skylights that open are extremely likely to fail within a year of a roof installation.
Replace Now Rather Than Later
Skylights have a pretty short life span that creates leaks and moisture build up, but also expensive energy loss. As they crack and leak, you will need to replace them anyway, so do it when it is most cost effective and take advantage of the technology advances from the last 10n years. An advanced Low-E 3 coating provides more daylight and better heat control than previous models.
By replacing the skylights while you are doing the roof replacement, youre ensuring you arent Paying for your roof twice, and with the new energy-efficient models and new technology, you may even be able to take advantage of tax credits.
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A Skylight That Fails A Year After A Roof Is Installed Creates Another Problem
It may cost a bit less to have a skylight installed during a roof replacement because its easier to put it in while the decking is bare. If this isnt done and leaking ensues a year later, there is going to be a big problem. It wont be the cost or the hassle, but the fact that now your roofing system will need to be disturbed to repair or install new skylights. Just as the skylights were compromised, now too will your roof face similar issues with blown seals.
Dont risk your property, wallet and sanity get your skylights replaced when getting a new roof!
Common Skylight Problems That Require Repair Or Replacement From A Pro
If you have a skylight thats not in the best shape or is having trouble opening and closing, it might be time to call in a professional. Homeowners can repair some of the easier problems themselves, such as replacing a skylight motor if it quits working. More serious problems, such as leaking, may require the help of a licensed roofing contractor like Watkins Construction in Jackson, MS.
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Save Time & Money In The Long Run
We get it: replacing your roof is already a big, expensive endeavor. If you only have to re-flash the skylight to satisfy your homeowner’s insurance policy, wouldn’t it be a better deal to wait until there’s a reason to replace the skylight? Not exactly.
During a roof replacement, your roofers will remove the shingles around the skylight to re-flash and re-seal the window to the roof or curb, depending on installation type. While this is going on, the rest of the roof – including your skylight’s frame – is jostled around under the wrenching, sawing, and hammering required to replace it. That takes a toll on your skylight frame and, ultimately, skylight. Nine times out of ten, a skylight that doesn’t have any issues before a roof replacement will develop one if it’s not replaced with the roof.
This is where that starts to really cost you. Since no other roof work is involved, you’ll likely have to find someone new to replace your skylights, often at a higher rate. It will take time to get them out there, and they’ll need to re-shingle around the skylight again, resulting in a mismatched roof.
Ask The Carpenter: New Roof Should You Replace The Skylight Too
Rob Robillard – Globe Correspondent
In my remodeling travels, Im often asked whether you should replace skylights when you re-roof.
Skylights have a service life, and replacing them when re-roofing is the best approach. In the long run, its more cost-efficient, and allows you to synchronize your roof and skylight warranties. You also have the opportunity to update with new features, technologies, and coatings.
The cost
If you reuse your old ones, the cost of reflashing them is between $200 and $600 per skylight. If you replace them, the expense is $800 to $1,500, depending on the type of skylight you choose. The price difference may be the decider for you, but you should know that roofers sometimes include a disclaimer stating that they will not be held responsible for future glass-seal failures or other leaks with older skylights.
Theres a reason for this disclaimer. An asphalt roof, for example, has a life span of 20 to 30 years, depending on the type of roofing material and weather exposure. A skylights life span is about the same. It costs a roofer less to replace a skylight when the roof has no shingles.
The technology
To open and/or close at select times
To open a certain amount
To open or close the blinds .
In addition to solar-powered features, todays skylights come with special glass coatings to keep them cleaner and protect from UV rays. Low-E-3 glass improves energy efficiency by 35 percent over skylights manufactured in the 1990s.
The tax credit
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About Professional Roofing Co
Located in Dover, NH, Pro Roofing is one of the top roofing contractors serving the greater Seacoast region, including Portsmouth, NH, Lakes Region, southern Maine and northeastern Massachusetts. We install asphalt architectural shingles, standing seam metal, rubber for low slopes and slate. For all roof types, we have a full selection of many different metal and shingle styles and colors.
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Replace Skylights With New Roof
When getting a new roof replacement, you may start wondering what other things you should replace on your property. If you have skylights on your roof, your roofer has probably suggested getting your skylights replaced along with your roof. While you might suspect that this suggestion was an upsell from your roofer, you can actually find that there are a ton of benefits that comes with replacing skylights with your new roof.
There are a lot of people who are just not yet prepared to pay for a roof replacement and a skylight replacement all at the same time. There are even those who think that doing these 2 projects together will end up being a waste of money. But should a roof replacement and a skylight replacement be done together or separately?
When you first look at a skylight, it appears to be a rather simple structure of framed glass. However, skylights are actually a more complex and modern technological product. These are structures which are often exposed to wind, solar radiation, and sudden changes in temperature, rain, snow, and hail. Thus, skylights need to be rigid and have heat-insulating properties throughout their lifespan. On top of that, skylights also have to look good.
In summary, skylights are a high-tech product that should be changed when its getting old or start to not work properly.
Below are just some of the main reasons on why you should replace your skylights when you replace your roof.
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Why Replacing The Skylight Is Best
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Choose From An Array Of Blind And Shutter Colors Patterns And Styles
In addition to helping to conserve energy, there are over 100 colors and pattern choices available. Rolling shutters and blinds by VELUX are designed to complement your new skylight.
The popular types of skylight blinds include
- Room Darkening: A double-pleated or flat skylight blind that can transform your space from day to night
- Light Filtering: The perfect option for diffusing light, ideal for areas such as kitchens and living rooms
- Venetian Skylight Blinds: This product provides a smooth and simple operation, conveniently allowing you to position your blinds at any point on the skylight
Not only are blinds and shutters aesthetically appealing, they can also earn you tax rebates with the federal government.
Mod skylights have new low-emissivity coatings, pane layering, and glazes which increase the energy efficiency and extends its lifespan. So many opportunities!
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Whos At Fault For A Leaky Skylight That Isnt Replaced After A Roof Installation
Any good roofer will insist that homeowners have their skylights replaced no matter what. A top roofer will not make it mandatory, but they will outline the seriousness of the situation. Ultimately, homeowners are responsible for their skylights, but a solid roofing contractor will always inspect the area if called on to do so.
At Shake Guys, we routinely get calls about a skylight issue about a year after a roof install. Its on us to take a look and evaluate the situation. Depending on the nature of the damage, we will repair the issue, typically for a fee, or recommend a skylight company to repair or replace the skylights.
Do I Need My Skylights Replaced When Getting A New Roof
Skylights can be found on just about every other home in the median price range on up. Theyre obviously a functional way to save money, and they nourish the brain by ushering in real sun rays. Like all parts of a home, skylights have lifespans, but there is one instance that may disrupt the tenure of a skylight: roof replacement. Having to install a new roof is a significant construction job that requires a lot of strain on elements that protrude through the roof decking. Many homeowners ask if they need their skylights replaced while others have no clue that its a big debate.
If you look around the online forums, youll see a good deal of debate on this subject. Roofers, handymen, DIY warriors, and homeowners often chime in with conflicting answers like:
- Your skylights will be fine.
- Just add extra caulking around the skylights.
- Youll need new flashing around the skylights.
- Always replace skylights when installing a new roof.
- Only replace certain types of skylights like the bubble kind.
As an expert in cedar shake roofing contractor, Shake Guys can safely say that only one of these is the correct answer.
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Is A Replacement Skylight Job Handled By A Roofing Contractor
Have an old, discolored skylight that needs to be replaced? Learn how to quickly accomplish this home to do list project.
Not all skylight projects are new installationssome are retrofit jobs requiring the removal of old skylights to be replaced with new models. The best time to replace old skylights is when you replace your roofing material because it saves time and money, and enables you to synchronize your skylight and roofing warranties. But even if youre not replacing the roof, you can still update your skylights.
VELUX offers an abundance of resources for homeowners looking to replace their old skylights, making the process worthwhile and easy.
New skylights. New features.
The days of leaky, unsightly, bubble skylights are behind us. Replacing old skylights means youre adding the latest innovation to your roof. They not only transform interior spaces, but they look great on your roof as well.
Upgrading from a fixed, bubble skylight to a VELUX No Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight has many benefits. The new skylight not only brings in natural light through energy efficient glass, but it also opens for fresh air ventilation. Skylights that open allow homeowners to create air flow inside, ridding the air of pollutants that can build up from daily living.
Choosing an installer
Once youve picked out your new skylight, its time for installation. But who do you call?
Opening Or Closing Issues
If you have a motorized skylight and it wont open or close properly, there may be an issue with the motor itself. However, make sure nothing is blocking the path of your skylight first sometimes small animals get stuck between the glass and frame and keep it from opening. If no obstruction exists, try replacing the batteries or contact a roofing professional who can help you with this complicated task of replacing the motor if necessary.
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What To Expect When Replacing Your Skylight
Skylights are a fantastic feature for many homes. Many homeowners love their skylight, and for good reason. Skylights bring in natural light, saving you money on electricity without compromising your privacy. These features are timeless and are a highlight of many homes around the globe. Despite their popularity, there is a lot about the installation and replacement processes that many people dont understand. If you have a home with a skylight or are considering installing a skylight in your home, here are a few things you should know about the replacement process.
Skylight Repair & Restoration
When installed correctly, you shouldnt have to worry too much about issues with your homes skylights. However, one of the most common issues homeowners face with their skylights is leaks around the flashing. Overtime, if left unattended for too long, the framing around your skylights can begin to rot and lead to larger issues.
Have no fear though, when using the right roofing contractor youll be able to enjoy your homes skylight for many years to come. Schedule an Inspection with our team and wed be glad to take a look!
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Reasons To Replace Your Skylights When You Replace Your Roof
When its time to replace your roof, you will likely have several key decisions to make to ensure the project fits your expectations, your budget, and your needs. For example, youll need to choose a type and color for your shingles, along with any other customizations you may want. Youll also need to find a qualified roofing company to remove any existing layers of roofing and to install the new roof.
If your existing roof contains skylights, youll also want to consider whether to install new skylights when you replace your roof. While this will increase the overall cost of your installation, there are a few potential benefits to taking care of both projects at the same time.
Increase Energy Efficiency Your existing skylights may not be as energy-efficient as their newer versions. Outdated skylights may cause excessive heat during the summer, or decreased heat during the winter, while newer skylight technology will often address these energy issues.
As a VELUX Skylight Certified Installer, we know that VELUX is always working to improve the design and energy efficiency of its skylights. Their skylights offer an exceptional balance of daylight and heat control to maximize energy efficiency for your home.
Plus, installing new, energy-efficient VELUX Skylights may make you eligible for tax credits, creating an opportunity for even more savings.
Reason #: Old Skylights In A New Roof Can Cause Leaks
Many homeowners do not understand that building materials expand and contract over time or that skylights must be partially disassembled during a new roof replacement before then requiring re-flashing. This sort of process can create many problems in the skylights structure if they have started to corrode. Another issue is that re-flashing an existing skylight can void its warranty.
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What It Means For Your Skylights
Getting both another roof and new skylights likewise conveys with it critical advantages. Since the roof will effectively be under development, putting in new skylights, instead of keeping your old ones and having them done later, turns out to be a lot simpler. Also, putting in new skylights alongside your roof implies that you can be sure that you wont have a hole. The new skylight windows should be glimmered appropriately, with the goal for them to repulse water. Something else, water can spill into your home and into your roofs underlying scaffolding, causing genuine water damage to both.
Picking new skylights is profitable for a few reasons. One of the most great reasons is that you will effortlessly have the option to add new innovation to your home. New skylights have alternatives, which incorporate downpour sensors that naturally close your skylight when it downpours, computerized daze covers and simple opening with a press of a catch. No additionally jumping on your furniture to open your old skylights. Whats more, new skylights commonly have better protection properties to help manage your inside temperature.
