Replacing your roof can be an incredibly stressful and complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be! The most convenient and cost-effective time to replace your skylights is when the roof is being replaced. This could cost you double to replace skylights separately from the roof replacement.
Older skylights had a shorter life span. Therefore, if it’s time to replace your roof, odds are the skylights need replaced as well. Replacing your skylights when it’s time to replace your roof is actually cheaper than a normal skylight replacement and will look significantly better as the roof deck is already open. This makes installing new skylights when it’s time to replace your roof so much easier, which will save you considerably on labor costs.
Types of Skylights
There are multiple options when it comes to functionality, shape, and materials. Glazing material options are generally limited to plastic or glass.
Plastic is the cheapest glazing material to use, but it can also become discolored over time. Glass may be a more expensive option but it is durable and more attractive.
Sun tunnels
A sun tunnel (or “tubular” skylight) works by capturing skylight into an acrylic dome on top of your roof. It feeds the light through a reflective tunnel, and finally through a window into the interior or your home. If, for instance, a bathroom is located in the middle of a house with six feet of attic space above it, a sun tunnel would provide calming daylight.
Sun tunnels enable you to channel in natural light to rooms where it would otherwise be impossible to do so.
Fixed vs Vented
A fixed skylight does not open, whereas vented skylights open, allowing fresh air to come into the home. Vented skylights are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens because they help with excess moisture. Skylights that open allow homeowners to create air flow inside, ridding the air of pollutants that can build up from daily living. A vented skylight’s opening and closing function can be remote or app-controlled – and even automated based on the time of day. This electronic function can also be solar-powered.
Solar-powered Skylights
Solar skylights allow you to rely less on electricity while making your homes more energy-efficient. Plus, these skylights are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit on the solar property when purchased and installed by the end of 2032.
Adding solar-powered blinds, which also qualify for the federal tax credit, enables you to control the sunlight. And with over 50 colors and patterns, you can easily choose the perfect muted design or pop of color for your ceiling or “fifth wall.” Blinds can be factory-installed or added during installation.
Skylight Installation
What if I have a flat ceiling?
Contrary to popular belief, skylights can be installed in both vaulted and flat ceilings. Flat ceilings, however, do require more drywall work, causing a longer installation time.
If you have a flat ceiling, your installer will use drywall to build a shaft from the skylight to direct daylight into the space below. Your installer will then paint the light shaft to match the surrounding ceiling area. And voila! Natural sunlight can come right through your roof into the room of your choice. Ready to Brighten Your Home with Natural Lighting?
Replacement Skylights
The days of leaky, unsightly bubble skylights are behind us. Replacing old skylights means you’re adding the latest innovation to your roof.
Upgrading from a fixed bubble skylight to a solar-powered skylight has many benefits. The new skylight not only brings in natural light through the energy-efficient glass but also opens for fresh air ventilation.
New Skylight Cut-Ins
For roofing experts such as Avsten Construction, installing new skylights is a relatively easy job that is done in two phases: rooftop and interior.
During your consultation, the installer will make a note of your project’s specific circumstances, including roof pitch, interior light shaft depth, and shape. Then, depending on the weather, your installation can take as little as half a day or up to three days.
Up on the roof, your installer will cut a hole and fasten the skylight to the roof with three layer No Leak protection. Next, the interior portion of the installation is done, which includes drywall and painting.
Choosing an installer when it’s time to replace your roof
Not all skylight projects are new installations—some 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 you’re not replacing the roof, you can still update your skylights.
Once you’ve picked out your new skylight, it’s time for installation. But who do you call? A single skylight replacement typically takes a couple of hours. Many replacements require only rooftop work by the installer. They will remove the existing skylight and replace it with the new one, in addition to replacing the flashing around it. Sometimes they also need to do some interior finishing work, such as repainting and trimming out the top of the light well.
By upgrading to the latest solar skylight model, you’ll enjoy the No Leak guarantee, improved energy efficiency, clear and bright natural light, and the benefit of fresh air ventilation for years to come.
Connect with the pros at Avsten Construction to learn more about replacing your roof and skylights. Schedule a FREE estimate today or call us at 513-795-7467. If you are even asking the question – The Time to Replace Your Roof and Skylight is Now.
At Avsten Construction, we can repair or replace most, if not all, home exterior situations. Our fast, reliable service will not only satisfy you but also improve the look and feel of your project. We install and service residential homes, apartments, commercial buildings, and more! Avsten Construction is a family-owned business. We work and live in the same areas as our customers and take on each exterior restoration project as if it were one of our own homes.
Avsten Construction provides all the resources you need to make the right choices regarding your home exterior restoration and transformation needs. Contact us today!