Roofing – Page 6

When homeowners are replacing their roof, the issue of skylights can sometimes be confusing. If a roofer is trying to give the customer the lowest possible estimate in hopes to secure the job, replacing skylights is often the first thing to be cut to help reduce costs. Sometimes, it’s the customer who wants to reuse an old skylight to save a few bucks. In our 27-years of experience, the best option is always to replace the skylights at the time you’re replacing your roof.

Save Money

Replacing your skylights when you replace your roofing system is the most convenient and affordable time to do so. Most roofers will charge up to double to come back and replace your skylights separate from replacing your roof.

The Risk vs. Reward

The cost of re-flashing your skylights is between $200 – $600 per skylight; the cost of replacing your skylights is anywhere from $800 to $1500, depending on the type of skylight. If we are looking at a roof with multiple skylights, the per-unit price differential is even smaller. If you really want to save money on your roofing purchase, think long-term. A slightly larger investment of a new roof and new skylights now will cost less than ripping up your new roof to replace old skylights in the future.

Seal Failure

What happens if you replace your entire roof and don’t replace the skylights and 6 months down the road, you have seal failure (fogged, inefficient glass)? You guessed it; you have to replace that entire section of shingles around the skylight!

Using old skylights with a new roof can cause leaks

Say your skylight has performed perfectly so far. No matter how skilled your contractor may be, ruffling with that old skylight to properly install your new roof can cause problems.

The skylight will have to be replaced eventually anyway

Skylights have a short warranty for a reason. Inexpensive plexiglass bubble skylights can crack easily. Even high-quality skylights will warp over time. Save yourself the headache and long-term costs by replacing them along with your roof.

If you have any questions about your skylights or replacing your roof, feel free to contact us anytime!

When you put on a new roof, you expect it to last at least 20-years. Having the right contractor for the job is critical in getting your money’s worth. A properly installed roof takes time and is not cheap — it’s truly an investment in your home. But if a contractor cuts corners either due to inexperience or to give you the cheapest price just to get the job, a new roof could fail. Here are some things to consider if you have recently put on a new roof and are experiencing problems.

Poor installation. Even if a contractor installs the best shingle available, if it’s not installed correctly, the roof can fail. Using a contractor who is experienced in installing a particular manufacturer’s product is important because they have experience with the products and know how things like the manufacturer’s roof deck protection, leak barriers, and ventilation all work together to help protect your home.
Inadequate ventilation. A properly balanced attic ventilation system* helps to keep your roof healthy. A combination of intake, which allows cool, fresh air to enter the attic and exhaust, which pushes hot, moist air out, is needed. During the hot summer months, improper ventilation can contribute to damaging heat and moisture build up in the attic. In the winter, improper ventilation can be a factor in the formation of ice dams. Make sure your contractor addresses ventilation in your home and inspects the attic space.
Skimping on materials. Don’t just choose the cheapest bid, as that can come at a price if a contractor skimps on items such as edge metal, sealants, or leak barriers. Ask contractors what materials they use. If a contractor is skimping on important items like sealants and leak barriers, paying a bit more upfront may be worth it.
Cutting corners on flashing. Some contractors think chimney flashings are installed more for design than function, so they may cut corners and just use caulk to seal. Caulk can break down over time and can cause water to enter the home through the flashing. Step flashing combined with counter flashing is a good way for your contractor to waterproof a chimney, skylight, or wall. It takes more labor to do the job right, so you need to understand that cutting corners just puts your home at risk — and could cost more in the long run.

If you have questions about your roof, feel free to contact us! We are happy to help, even if we did not install it.

5 Reasons to Replace Your Skylight With Your Roof

4 Reasons a New Roof Could Fail