When planning a home improvement project as significant as a roof replacement, it’s natural to look for ways to streamline the process. One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners in the Pacific Northwest is: "Do I really need to replace my skylights at the same time?"
While your current skylights might look fine from the inside, the best time to plan your skylight installation is when the surrounding roofing materials are already being stripped away. At Mt Baker Roofing, we’ve found that synchronizing these two projects is the most effective way to ensure a leak-free home and long-term peace of mind.
The Perfect Window of Opportunity
A skylight is essentially a hole in your roof, which makes it a high-risk area for water intrusion if not sealed perfectly. During a roof replacement, our crews remove the old shingles down to the wood decking. This provides the only real opportunity to properly "flash" a skylight by integrating the window’s waterproof barrier directly into the new roofing system.
If you wait to replace an old skylight until after the new roof is installed, you run the risk of disturbing the new shingles and sealants, which can compromise the integrity of your roof.
3 Reasons to Sync Your Skylight Installation
1. Prevent Future Leaks and Labor Costs
Most skylights have a lifespan of about 15–20 years which is the same as a standard composite roof. If you install a brand-new roof but leave a 15-year-old skylight in place, that window is almost guaranteed to fail while the roof is still in its prime. Replacing them together avoids the "double labor" cost of having to tear up a perfectly good new roof just to fix a leaky window a few years down the line.
2. Improved Energy Efficiency
Technology in skylight roofing has come a long way. Modern units feature advanced coatings that reflect heat in the summer and retain it in the winter. Upgrading during your roof project allows you to take advantage of these energy savings immediately.
3. Comprehensive Warranty Protection
When you bundle your skylight installation with a roof replacement, your entire overhead protection system falls under one comprehensive warranty. This provides superior protection for you as a homeowner; instead of managing separate warranties for the window and the shingles, you have a single, trusted partner standing behind the entire installation.
Serving Our Local Communities
We understand the specific weather challenges faced by homeowners across our region. Whether you are looking for expert roofing and skylight services in Whatcom County or need a reliable team in Skagit County, we are here to help. Our local expertise also extends to Snohomish County and Island County, ensuring that every home we touch is prepared for the next big rainstorm.
Look Up Before You Re-Roof
Before the shingles go down, take a good look at your skylights. Are they showing signs of condensation between the panes? Is the acrylic starting to yellow or crack? If so, don't miss the chance to replace them.
Ready to upgrade your home’s natural light and protection? Contact Mt Baker Roofing today for an estimate on your next project.
