Skylights are a lot like your roof. You take them for granted until something suddenly goes horribly wrong and you experience visible damage, like leaking or water stains.

 When skylights fail, they typically need immediate attention to prevent further damage to the house. That’s why we’ve put together this Guide to Professional Skylight Replacement. It provides all the information you need at your fingertips to plan your project with a reliable skylight replacement professional.  

The good news is that even though replacing a skylight is no fun, selecting a new one might be. Technology is making skylights more convenient, stylish, and energy-efficient than ever before. Undoubtedly, your skylight replacement will perform better, look nicer, and have more updated features than your existing one.

Let’s take you through the seven-step process to replacing your skylight.

STEP 1: Decide Whether to Repair or Replace

Sometimes, skylight replacement is unavoidable, like when there is a crack in the glass or you can no longer see the sky through the condensation on your skylight. Or, perhaps you have a fixed skylight, and you dream of being able to open it and vent the room, or you’d even like a more technologically advanced skylight you can operate from your phone. In each of these cases, skylight replacement is obviously the right decision.

However, several skylight problems can be fixed with a simple, proper repair. If you detect any of these problems, repair is an option.

• There is damaged flashing around the skylight. This can be fixed readily by a licensed roofing contractor to extend the life of the skylight. Installing a new flashing kit from the skylight manufacturer may be required.

• A small seal has failed. Contact the skylight manufacturer to see if the unit is covered under warranty. If not, they may be able to refer you to a professional who can help.
• Minor interior trim needs attention. If interior trim or caulk between the trim and skylight is deteriorating, a simple repair may restore the skylight’s integrity.

There are understandably more reasons for skylight replacement than repair. You may need to replace your skylight if it meets any of these conditions:

• The skylight is more than 20 years old
• Condensation appears between glass panes
• The frame is warped or rotting
• Repairs fail to stop leaks
• Glass is cracked
• You are replacing your roof anyway

At Pro-Home Services, we have replaced hundreds of skylights for customers simultaneously with their roofing projects. When done in conjunction with a roofing project, skylight replacement installation time is minimal.

STEP 2: Choose the Right Skylight

It’s decision time! Let’s begin by considering what you want in a skylight to help you with your choice. Answer the questions below to hone your search.

1. What type of skylight do you want?

• Fixed Skylights. Classic and standard fixed skylights function as picture windows to the sky. They do not open in any way. They offer excellent natural light and are the most affordable types of skylights. They are attractive, popular installations for living rooms, hallways, and stairwells.
• Vented Skylights. If the room with your skylight could use more ventilation, a vented skylight can reduce moisture in bathrooms and kitchens and prevent heat build-up in vaulted ceilings. If you decide on a vented skylight, decide whether you prefer manual operation or electronic operation, which may require electrical work.
• Solar-Powered Skylights. These skylight replacements provide remote operation powered by the sun with no electrical wiring required. In some models, rain sensors can automatically close the skylights. Check state and federal regulations to see if your model qualifies for tax incentives.
• Sun Tunnels. These modern skylight replacements are ideal in places traditional skylights won’t fit, like closets, hallways, and laundry rooms. They appear like a can light but actually channel light from the rooftop unit through the attic and into the space.

After you’ve decided what type of skylight you want, there are more decisions to be made before calling the contractor.

STEP 3: Consider Energy Efficiency

Research shows that up to 93 percent of homeowners consider energy efficiency important in their home improvements. Today’s skylights offer different features to help you save on your energy bills. Some features add considerable expense to your skylight purchase; others come standard.

For skylight replacements, energy efficient features concentrate on reducing heat gain in summer and retaining warmth in the winter. Because skylights can block UV rays, they also help protect home furnishings and flooring from fading when in the path of the sunshine that the skylight allows in.  

If energy efficiency is important to you, look for the following features when you select your skylights.

• Double-or triple-pane insulated glass. Strong and protective against the elements, such glass provides excellent insulation against the summer heat and winter cold.

• Low-E (low-emissivity) coatings. These coatings use microscopic metallic layers to reflect heat. Low-E repels unwanted solar heat but reflects indoor heat back into the room. The result is lower HVAC bills for the homeowner.
• Argon gas insulation. Argon gas within the glass panes create a dense, thermal barrier that slows heat and cold air transfer through the roof. Combined with Low-E coatings, argon-filled skylight replacements can improve overall insulation up to 16% compared to air-filled units.
• ENERGY STAR® certification. Check ratings to see if the skylight you want meets or exceeds the strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standards. The better the rating, the higher the energy savings!
• Laminated safety glass. Working in conjunction with Low-E coatings and argon gas fills, laminated safety glass is yet another material that can help reduce harmful UV rays. Homeowners can enjoy the natural daylight without worrying about how the incoming sun will damage home furnishings.

STEP 4: Decide Whether to Replace the Shaft

If your skylight replacement sits above a flat ceiling, it likely has a drywall light shaft. The shaft is a constructed passageway that connects the skylight in the roof to the ceiling of the room below. The shaft runs through the attic space between the roof and the room.

A roofer and experienced skylight installer can inspect your shaft to see if replacement is necessary at the time of installation. Any sign of water damage, mold, peeling paint, or insulation problems may indicate that the shaft should be replaced.

STEP 5: Check Roof Flashing

One of the biggest causes of skylight leaks isn’t the glass—it’s the flashing. Roof flashing is a system of specially shaped aluminum or galvanized steel that is installed around the perimeter of the skylight where it meets the roofing material. The job of roof flashing is to direct water safely around the skylight and back onto the roof, where it can flow into the gutters instead of into your home.

If your roof’s flashing fails, it will compromise both your skylight and your home. You will see:

• Mold and mildew
• Damaged insulation
• Ceiling stains
• Structural deterioration

If you have seen any of these signs, be sure your skylight replacement professional also installs a new flashing kit with the skylight. In fact, installing a new flashing kit is usually required to protect the manufacturer’s warranty on the skylight.

STEP 6: Understand the Cost

Obviously, the cost of the skylight itself will vary greatly, depending on the type you order. The cost of installation will also vary based on roof pitch, accessibility, interior finishing, and skylight size. However, here are some general numbers to understand the scope of the skylight costs and plan your project.

STEP 7: Order the Skylight and Schedule Your Installation

After you’ve made your decision about the type of skylight you want, it’s time to order your skylight and schedule the installation. When is the best time to do it? There’s one ideal time…

During your next roof replacement! With professionals on your roof anyway, it’s the most efficient time for the skylight replacement. A licensed roofing contractor like Pro-Home Services can help you in the Chicagoland area and offers a fine selection of skylight styles and manufacturers to choose from, including attractive sun tunnel models from Velux and vented and solar-powered skylights from Fakkro.

Your installer will use one of two types of mounts for your skylight replacement: deck or curb mount. A deck-mounted skylight offers a low-profile, sleek, integrated appearance because it is built directly into the roof deck. It is the most common installation type for residential dwellings. A curb-mounted skylight sits on top of the roof, which is often necessary for flatter roofs. The elevated wood frame (the “curb”) aids in managing water runoff.

You can expect installation time of two for a straightforward replacement of a skylight, with up to six hours if any drywall repairs are needed.

Questions to Ask During Skylight Replacement

As you begin working with your contractor, it’s important to understand what they are doing and how they will perform your installation. Their answers to these questions will also factor into your price quote. Be sure to have this list of questions ready when you begin shopping for a reliable roofing contractor to help you with your skylight.

MATERIALS

• Is the skylight being replaced with the same size?
• Will a new flashing kit be required?
• Is an ice and water shield included?
• Is the skylight replacement ENERGY STAR certified?
• Is the skylight in stock, and if not, how long will it take to order it?

INSTALLATION

• What is the warranty on the skylight?
• How long do you think the installation will take?
• How soon can you schedule my skylight replacement?
•  Will interior drywall repairs be necessary?
• Will any roofing materials around the skylight be replaced?

THE CONTRACTOR

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you guarantee your workmanship?
• Are you licensed and bonded to perform skylight replacements?
• What kind of skylights do you install?

• Can you provide me with referrals or reviews of your happy customers?

Quality Review After Installation

After installation, carefully inspect your contractor’s work, as well as the installed skylight replacement. Address any issues with your contractor.

• If operational, does the skylight perform smoothly?
• Was the drywall damaged, or does it require attention after installation?
• Are there any visible gaps?
• Does everything look properly sealed?
• Do you feel any drafts?
• Is the glass clean?
• After the first heavy rain, do you notice any problems?

Congratulations are in order after you complete all of these steps! You will love your new skylight.

Remember, a skylight replacement is more than swapping out a window in the roof. It’s an opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and protection against leaks.

Since 2003, Pro-Home Services has helped thousands of homeowners install skylight replacements, often while inspecting, maintaining, or replacing their roofs. We’re the honest PROs offering professionalism, reliability and ownership over our work at fair prices in the Chicagoland communities. If we can help you with a skylight installation or any roofing issue, please contact us for a free inspection at 630-790-0800.