Getting a new roof and you have skylights? Decide what happens to them before the roofer starts tear-off. An older skylight should usually be replaced with the roof. Even a newer one needs new flashing tied into the new roofing. Here’s how to decide.
Why the reroof is the best time to deal with your skylights
A skylight and the roof around it work together. The skylight sits on a curb or on the roof deck. The flashing, underlayment and roofing around it are what keep the water out. When the old roof comes off, all of that comes apart too.
That’s why skylight manufacturers, including VELUX, recommend replacing skylights when you reroof, even an older unit that isn’t leaking yet. Here’s why it usually makes sense:
- The roofing around it gets opened anyway. Replace the skylight later and someone has to lift the new shingles or tile and re-flash. That’s the same work you just paid for.
- Old units get jostled. Tear-off, foot traffic and new roofing going down around an old skylight can loosen the frame or crack brittle acrylic.
- The lifespans line up. A new roof should last decades. An old skylight in the middle of it won’t, and it will be the first thing to fail.
- One round of disruption. The inside of the house gets covered and protected once, and the work gets done while the roof is already open.
Keep it or replace it? How to decide
You don’t have to replace every skylight just because the roof is being redone. A newer unit in good shape can often stay. It just needs to be flashed properly into the new roof.
Usually worth replacing
- Acrylic or plastic domes that have yellowed, gone cloudy or feel brittle
- Glass with fog or moisture trapped between the panes
- A unit that has leaked before, or has water stains around the opening inside
- Skylights that are 20 to 30 years old or more
- Anything with cracks, failed seals or rusted frames
Often fine to keep
- A newer unit with clear glass, good seals and no history of leaks
- A custom or architectural skylight with a sound frame, where only the glass may need attention later
If you’re not sure where yours falls, our repair vs. replace guide covers the same questions we ask when we come out.
Rule of thumb: if you’d be thinking about replacing the skylight in the next few years anyway, replace it with the roof. Doing it later almost always means opening up the new roofing.
Who does what: the roofer and the skylight company
This is where a lot of reroof jobs go sideways. The roofer and the skylight company each handle part of the opening, and someone has to keep the order straight.
We’re a glazing company. We replace skylights and glass. We don’t reroof. On a reroof, the roofer does the tear-off, underlayment, roofing and, in most cases, the flashing around the curb. We do the skylight itself. We take out the old unit, check the curb or opening, and set the new skylight.
The order usually goes like this
- We come out before the roof work starts, confirm sizes and how each skylight is mounted, and order the new units so they’re ready.
- The roofer tears off the old roofing.
- The old skylights come out, and we check the curbs or openings for rot or damage.
- The roofer flashes and roofs around the openings so everything ties together. Deck-mounted skylights go in during the roof work. On curb-mounted skylights, we usually set the new unit after the roof is finished.
Exact timing depends on the roof and the roofer’s schedule, so we work it out with them directly. Just bring us in early. Skylights take time to arrive, especially custom sizes. You don’t want an open roof waiting on a skylight.
What changes depending on how your skylight is mounted
How your skylight is mounted changes what a reroof involves. We cover the difference in curb-mounted vs. deck-mounted skylights. Here’s the short version for a roof replacement.
Curb-mounted skylights
The curb is a short wood box built into the roof, and the skylight sits on top of it. Flat and low-slope roofs are common on LA homes, and on those this is the standard setup.
The roofer still has to pull the old skylight off the curb to redo the flashing. The curb gets checked and repaired or rebuilt if the wood is damaged, and the new roofing and flashing go up the sides of it. Be aware that an old, brittle plastic skylight can crack when it comes off, and the glazing tape on an older unit can shift.
For curb-mounted skylights, we usually prefer to wait and install the new skylight after the roof is finished. You don’t want a brand new skylight sitting there while roofers walk around it with tools and heavy packs of shingles. Once the roof is done, we set the new skylight on the finished curb.
Deck-mounted and self-flashing skylights
These attach directly to the roof deck and are flashed right into the roofing. They’re the hardest to replace later, because the roofing has to be opened up around them. So a reroof is the time to deal with them.
On a reroof, we recommend replacing a deck-mounted skylight rather than trying to save it. VELUX skylights use their own proprietary flashing and cladding, and VELUX says to replace the existing flashing anytime a new skylight is installed or whenever the roof is replaced around an existing skylight. Reusing it means pulling the flashing off, which leaves nail holes throughout, and putting it back without proper installation instructions. VELUX says that often leads to leaks around the flashing later. Only VELUX skylights installed with VELUX flashing are eligible for its Weathertight warranty.
That matches what we see on the roof. The old flashing is stuck down to the old roof, so by the time it comes off it’s typically bent, covered in mastic and mangled. Reusing it isn’t practical. The new skylight goes in with new flashing that ties into your new roofing.
A good time to rethink the skylight, too
With the roof open, changes are easier now than they will be for years. A few things homeowners often ask about:
- Glass instead of acrylic. Glass is clearer, lasts longer and is quieter in the rain. See glass vs. acrylic vs. polycarbonate.
- Venting instead of fixed. Bathrooms and kitchens often do better with a skylight that opens to let heat and moisture out.
- Better glass. Low-E coatings cut heat gain and UV fading. That matters under the LA sun.
- Adding a new skylight. If you’ve wanted more light in a hallway or a dark room, a reroof is the simplest time to cut a new opening. More on new skylight installation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to replace my skylights when I get a new roof?
No. A newer skylight in good shape can stay, as long as it’s flashed properly into the new roof. Older units, especially yellowed domes or fogged glass, are usually worth replacing while the roof is open.
Can I keep my VELUX skylight when I get a new roof?
You can keep the skylight, but not the old flashing. VELUX says to replace the existing flashing whenever the roof is replaced around an existing skylight, because reused flashing is full of nail holes and often leaks later. Only VELUX skylights installed with VELUX flashing are eligible for its Weathertight warranty. In our experience the old flashing comes off bent, covered in mastic and mangled anyway. Since the flashing has to be replaced, an older skylight is usually worth replacing at the same time.
Can my roofer replace the skylights?
Some roofers do. Many would rather have a skylight company handle the units, especially custom sizes, glass skylights and commercial work. Either way, make sure someone owns the skylight part of the job before tear-off starts.
What if my skylight leaks right after a new roof?
Most leaks after a reroof are at the flashing where the roof meets the skylight, not in the skylight itself. Call your roofer first, since their workmanship covers the flashing. If it turns out to be the skylight, call us. Our guide to why skylights leak explains how to tell the difference.
When should I call you if I’m planning a reroof?
As early as you can. The best time is when you’re getting roofing bids. That gives us time to look at the skylights, order the units and line up the schedule with your roofer.
Planning a new roof?
Hollywood Skylights has been in business for 12 years, with more than 20 years of experience in skylight replacement, repair and installation across Los Angeles. We’ll come out before the roof work starts and look at your skylights. We’ll tell you straight which ones can stay and which should go, and we’ll work out the timing with your roofer.
Call us at (213) 334-3947 or request a free estimate.