Skylights

[RalphVa]

We've 7 approximately 1986ish skylights in this house. Just got a quote back on replacing 4 of them in the breakfast room. Quote seems a tad high but have a lot of confidence in the guy.

Cannot seem to find anyone else to quote. Even have a neighbor over on the next ridge who owns a roofing company. He wasn't interested in coming to look.

Know any skylight outfits in central Va?

Ralph

 

[TnAndy]

Don't know of any, but I will say having put in a lot of them over the years buy Velux brand.

 

[RalphVa]

Velux are what he quoted.

Ralph

 

[3Ts]

There are also the solar tube skylights, also referred to as sky tunnels. I've had no-name skylights, velux brand, and solar tubes. I think the solar tubes provide the most light even though they are 14" diameter compared to the 2'x4' (nominal) velux and no-name skylights. The solar tubes can be retro-fitted and be offset to go around framing.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm not a fan of skylights, but if you are committed to them, the biggest problem with replacing them is the condition of the shingles around them. If they are five years old or older, you risk breaking them when lifting them up to get the new flashing in place. Older are even harder to work with because they become more brittle with age. The problem is that while fixing one problem, you create other problems that become increasingly expensive and difficult to fix. As a home repair/remodel contractor, I refuse to touch skylights. I do get quite a few jobs to repair the sheetrock that is damaged from a leaking skylight and at least half of them leak a year or two after being replaced. The only sure fire, best chance of not leaking, is to replace skylights when you replace your roof.

 

[ruffdog]

I'm not a fan of skylights, but if you are committed to them, the biggest problem with replacing them is the condition of the shingles around them. If they are five years old or older, you risk breaking them when lifting them up to get the new flashing in place. Older are even harder to work with because they become more brittle with age. The problem is that while fixing one problem, you create other problems that become increasingly expensive and difficult to fix. As a home repair/remodel contractor, I refuse to touch skylights. I do get quite a few jobs to repair the sheetrock that is damaged from a leaking skylight and at least half of them leak a year or two after being replaced. The only sure fire, best chance of not leaking, is to replace skylights when you replace your roof.

^^Yep, that tells the story.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I feel for RalphVA! I have a love/hate feeling for sky lights. I very much appreciate the natural sun light one gets from them. On the other hand, I've never seen a sky light that didn't leak in time. And the cost to repair the damage is not insignificant.

 

[RalphVa]

We inherited these. Made them a little more livable by putting in cellular blinds to keep the heat out many years ago. Have to slide them back this time of year to keep from having condensation.

Think we've about decided to use this outfit and to replace all 7 of them. Have 40 year shingles. Hopefully they will be more pliable. Says it's a 3 or 4 day job what with getting the shingles in and out, flashing and all.

Ralph

 

[PILOON]

I always said that it was not if but when they would leak!
Had a client that insisted on one over the bath tub.
Well they later complained that it leaked cold water when they bathed.

DUH, warm moist air raises and condenses on the cold skylight and then drips down.

The ceiling is insulated R40, skylight is probably less than R3/4 so guess what.
Also to note that there is never any snow on the skylight as it always melts due to heat loss while the roof has as much as 4 ft of accumulation.

But in my defence I repeatedly attempted to discourage the skylight installation so they never reproached me over the issue.

 

[Thomas]

Skylight were the must have in 80's around our area,but one home owners saw the heat loss keeping snow clear from window leaks skylights have faded.
Maybe roofing company can point you to someone.