This is a common question we hear as roofers. Roof replacements are expensive, no question, and homeowners often want to know how they can save a little while still getting an excellent new roof installed. So, people often ask us, “Can I skip replacing my skylights, and just do that later?”
No! Please don’t!
This isn’t the way to save money during your roof installation! Not only is it likely to cause a bunch of issues, but in the long run, it will probably COST YOU MORE. Trust us on this – we’re experts!
Here’s why all the best roofing contractors will give you the same advice:
1. Roof Replacement Will Most Likely Damage Your Existing Skylights
No matter how good or how conscientious your contractor is, the integrity of the skylight will most likely be compromised during the roof replacement. A new skylight, however, can be fitted seamlessly into your new roof construction.
Even in the rare case in which a skylight isn’t disturbed during a roof replacement, water can get in around it during the installation process. This can lead to a host of problems from warped wood to leaks (which can eventually lead to mold or water damage). So even if a skylight survives a roof replacement, it’s likely to be only a matter of time until it causes a problem in your brand new roof … which can lead to a return visit from the contractor, much sooner than you would like.
2. We’re Already Up There
Seriously, from a labor perspective, replacing a skylight is much easier and faster than replacing a roof. You’re already paying for a roofer to come out and replace your entire roof. It will be much faster and more cost-effective to have us do all the work when we’re already at your home and up on your roof than to have a roofer come out again in a few years to start a new job on your leaky or failing skylight.
3. Skylights Don’t Last as Long as Roofs (Especially Old Ones)
If your roof is old enough to need to be replaced, chances are that your skylights are at the end of their lifespan, too … or probably past it. Unless it’s damaged, a roof is likely to last about 25 years, while skylights only last about 10. So even if you pass on having your skylights replaced during your roof replacement, you’ll need to call a roofer soon to have your skylights replaced anyway. You’ll save yourself money and hassle by having it all done at once.
4. You’re Investing a Lot in Your Roof Replacement
Do you really want to risk the quality and integrity of the work that is being done to replace your roof, just to save the (relatively) small cost of a skylight replacement? This is one of those things that can seem like a good idea at the time, but will probably be much more expensive down the road. You are likely to end up having to have the skylight replaced soon either way, and trying to preserve the old skylight may damage your new roof. This isn’t the right way to save money on your roof replacement.
5. You Get New Skylights
You can use this as an opportunity to replace your old, inefficient skylights with some new ones. New skylights are likely to be more attractive, more functional, and more energy-efficient than your old ones. And energy-efficient skylights can themselves be a source of savings on your energy bills. (Ask us for more details on installing energy-efficient skylights in your new roof.) Placing a new roof around existing skylights will cost about half of replacing the skylights entirely, but, at the end of the day … you’ll still have your old skylights, which will need to be replaced at some point pretty soon, as well.
As roofing experts, we can assure you: please replace your skylights during a full roof replacement! We’re advising you of this to protect the significant investment you’re making in the replacement of your roof. Don’t risk the quality of all that work to save a few dollars on the roof replacement. Instead, get yourself some new skylights AND save yourself some money in the long run.