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Skylights are great additions to homes, as they let in natural light and can even save energy. However, there are situations where homeowners wish to remove skylights. Whether you’re looking to replace the skylight with something bigger or smaller, or if you just want to change its location on the roof, it’s important to know that this is not a DIY project. Working with a professional roofer experienced in skylight work is essential for the proper removal and/or installation of your skylight.
Keep reading to learn more about what is involved in removing, relocating, or resizing a skylight.
Removing vs. Replacing a Skylight
The first thing you need to consider before removing or relocating your skylight is whether your issues will be solved by replacing the skylight with a new model. A big factor here will be the condition of your current skylight and the specific problems you are experiencing. If there are any cracks or damage, and the nuisance of chronic repairs is what is driving your desire to remove the skylight entirely, you may find that simply replacing it with a new model that is structurally sound is enough.
However, if you’re dissatisfied with the amount of light it's bringing in, the view it provides, or how it affects your day-to-day life, removing it may be your best option. Additionally, if you've just moved into a new home and simply don't like the skylights or where they are placed, then you might want to remove and board up the area.
Other reasons a homeowner may want to remove and/or shore up an existing skylight:
- Improve home security
- Installing solar panels
- Improve home insulation
- Protect belongings from UV exposure
Completely removing a skylight is a big job and should only be performed by a professional roofer. It will require not only the removal of the old skylight but boarding up of the hole. Our roofing contractor will take special care to ensure that the surrounding area of the roof is not damaged during the removal process and will check that there is no water or other damage to your roof structure. They will then expertly integrate new roofing over the patch.
What about if you don't want to remove the skylight totally but want it somewhere else or in a different size or shape? Keep reading to learn more about the process of either relocating or completely removing a skylight.
Relocating or Resizing Your Skylight
If you are happy with the size of your existing skylight but want to move it from one spot on the roof to another, then relocation may be an option. However, relocating a skylight may actually involve significantly more work than a simple replacement. When relocating a skylight, the old location must be closed back up, and a new hole must be cut into your roof in the new area.
Resizing an existing skylight is perhaps the most complicated of these three options. It typically involves removing the framing around it and then reinstalling it in different dimensions. This process can be complicated since, if done incorrectly, it will negatively impact the performance of the window and allow for air and water infiltration. Therefore, anyone considering resizing a skylight should have a qualified roofer examine it first to decide if it is feasible.
Leak Prevention Concerns
When working on a skylight, no matter the project, one major concern is ensuring that your roof doesn't become susceptible to leaks and water damage caused by improper installation techniques—which could lead to structural damage down the line if not handled properly. This is why we highly recommend working with an experienced professional like Lyons Roofing who can guarantee quality workmanship and make sure that all of the necessary steps are taken during each stage of installation—from removal all the way through final installation—to ensure that no water enters into your home in places where it shouldn't be!
Consult with Lyons Roofing First!
If you're considering removing or relocating a skylight from your home's roof, make sure that you consult with one of our licensed roofers who have experience working with skylights first before attempting any DIY projects (especially if this isn't something you've done before). Removing and relocating a skylight requires knowledge of building codes as well as experience working on them.
The last thing you want is to cause long-term damage due to leaking water into areas around them, such as walls or ceilings inside your home's living space–so make sure you hire an expert like Lyons Roofing! We can ensure the proper removal and/or relocation of your skylight.
