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Near the end of a roofing estimate, a lot of homeowners ask the same thing. Is now the time to add a skylight, or swap out an old one? Owners planning a replacement with RGB Construction or any other roofer usually get the same answer. If a skylight is on the wish list at all, the replacement is the cheapest and cleanest moment to do it.
Fixed, Venting or Tubular
- Fixed skylights don’t open. They bring in light only, and they suit high ceilings or rooms that don’t need fresh air.
- Venting skylights open, either with a hand crank, an electric motor or a small solar panel. Kitchens and bathrooms benefit most, since they let out steam and cooking heat.
- Tubular skylights are a narrow tube with a dome on the roof and a round diffuser on the ceiling. They fit hallways, closets and small bathrooms where a full window won’t.
Contractors such as RGB Construction install solar powered venting models that close on their own at the first drops of rain. A sensor on the frame does the work, so an open skylight on a sunny morning isn’t a problem if a storm rolls in by afternoon.
Placement and Heat
Direction changes the light. North facing skylights give steady, soft light most of the day. South and west facing ones bring in more sun and more heat, which is welcome in winter and less so in July.
Built in blinds help a lot here. Many newer units come with them already fitted between or below the glass, and some can be closed from a phone or a wall switch.
Glass matters too. Most quality skylights use a coated outer pane that reflects heat, and a laminated inner pane that holds together if it breaks, much like a car windscreen.
Framing and the Room Below
Rafters set the size. Most roofs have rafters 16 or 24 inches apart, and many skylight sizes are made to fit between them. A wider unit means cutting a rafter and adding framing around the opening, which adds cost.
If the room below has an attic above it, a light shaft has to be built from the roof down to the ceiling. That’s drywall, paint and sometimes insulation work. It’s usually priced separately from the roofing.
Leaks and Warranties
Most skylight leaks come from installation, not the unit. Flashing installed out of order, or sealed with caulk instead of proper metal pieces, is the usual cause. Several makers offer installation warranties when their own flashing kits are used, which gives owners a clear person to call if water ever shows up.
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