Skylight Replacement and Installation During Your Roofing Project
Replacing your roof is one of the best times to take a close look at your skylights. IronHead Roofing installs and replaces VELUX skylights as part of qualifying roofing projects throughout Oregon. If an existing skylight is showing its age, leaking, or no longer working the way it should, we can address it while the surrounding roofing and flashing are already being replaced. That keeps the roof and skylight installation under one plan, with one crew responsible for how everything fits together.
Skylight Warranty Coverage
The roof warranty and skylight warranty are not necessarily the same. VELUX product coverage, roofing manufacturer coverage, and IronHead’s workmanship coverage are separate. The specific coverage depends on the roofing system, skylight product, and installation scope you select. We explain what applies before the project begins so you know which company is responsible for each part of the system.
Key Takeaways
Skylights + Roofing, Done Together
We install and replace skylights as part of qualifying roofing projects, so the roof, flashing, waterproofing, and skylight are planned as one complete system.
Roof Replacement Is the Right Time to Look
When the surrounding roofing is already being removed, it’s a smart time to inspect an aging skylight and decide whether keeping it or replacing it makes more sense.
A Leak Doesn’t Always Mean a Bad Skylight
Water around a skylight can come from the unit itself, flashing, roofing materials, drainage, or another area of the roof. We inspect the full system before recommending a fix.
VELUX Is Our Primary Skylight Brand
How the Process Works
We will evaluate the roof and skylights, explain what we recommend, and give you a clear scope for the project.
Step 1:
Roof and Skylight Inspection
We inspect the roof and any existing skylights. We look for visible damage, previous repairs, water staining, worn seals, flashing issues, and installation conditions that could affect the project.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Clear Recommendation
We explain what we found and discuss whether the skylight should stay, be replaced, or be upgraded. When multiple options are available, we help you compare them without pushing features you do not need.
Step 2:
Step 3:
Coordinated Installation
The skylight replacement or installation is scheduled as part of the roofing project. The unit, flashing, underlayment, and surrounding roofing materials are installed in the correct order so they function as one system.
Step 3:
Step 4:
Final Review
After installation, we inspect the completed work and review the finished skylight with you. We also explain the basic maintenance and cleaning recommended for the product you selected.
Step 4:
What We Review Before Recommending a Skylight
There is no single skylight that works for every roof or every room. Before recommending a product or installation plan, we consider:
- The age and condition of the existing skylight
- The size and type of the current opening
- Roof pitch and roofing material
- Curb-mounted or deck-mounted construction
- Flashing and waterproofing requirements
- The shape and condition of the interior shaft
- Desired natural light and ventilation
- Insulation and sealing around the opening
- Product availability
- The timing of the roof replacement
- The homeowner’s budget and priorities
This is why we approach the estimate as a consultation. We are not there to hand you a number and leave. We take the time to look at the roof, discuss the available choices, and explain the tradeoffs before you decide.
Replacing a Skylight and Adding a New Skylight Are Different Projects
Replacing an existing skylight usually means working within the opening that is already there. We remove the old unit, inspect the opening, complete any necessary preparation, and install the new skylight with the appropriate flashing and waterproofing.
Adding a skylight where one does not currently exist is a larger project. Depending on the home, it may require:
- Cutting and framing a new roof opening
- Reviewing structural conditions
- Building or modifying an interior light shaft
- Adding insulation and air sealing
- Completing drywall and interior finishing
- Coordinating the skylight with the new roofing system
New skylight installation may be available when it is incorporated into a broader roofing project. We will review what is involved and clearly define which portions of the work are included before the project begins.
For select custom-order or commercial applications, we may also use ASI products when they are a better fit for the building or opening. VELUX remains our primary choice for most residential skylight projects.
Skylight Leaks Do Not Always Come From the Skylight
Water near a skylight does not always mean the skylight itself has failed.
Leaks may come from worn or incorrectly installed flashing, damaged roofing materials, failed seals, condensation, drainage problems, or an issue farther up the roof. Water can travel before it becomes visible inside the home, which is why guessing at the source often leads to temporary repairs instead of a lasting fix.
When we inspect a skylight, we look at the complete area around it. That includes:
- The skylight frame and glass
- Factory and site-installed flashing
- Roof underlayment and waterproofing
- Shingles or metal roofing around the opening
- Previous repairs or sealant applications
- Interior staining or moisture damage
- Roof pitch and water drainage
- The condition of the surrounding roof
If the problem is connected to the roof rather than the skylight, we will tell you. If the unit is damaged or reaching the end of its useful life, we will explain why replacement may make more sense than another repair.
How Much Does Skylight Installation Cost?
There is not an honest one-price answer without seeing the roof. The cost to install or replace a skylight depends on the product, size, mounting style, roof pitch, roofing material, interior access, and whether an existing opening can be reused. Adding a completely new skylight generally costs more than replacing an existing unit because it can require structural and interior work.
The timing of the project matters as well. Replacing a skylight during a roof replacement can reduce duplicated labor because the surrounding roofing and flashing are already being removed. During your consultation, we will review the conditions, explain what is included, and provide a clear price based on the actual project.
What Happens to Your Skylights During a Roof Replacement?
Your skylight is built into the roof, so it cannot be ignored when the old roofing materials come off. Before beginning the project, we inspect each skylight and look at its age, condition, mounting style, flashing, seals, glass, and the roofing around it. From there, we can help you decide whether it makes sense to keep the existing unit or replace it while the roof is open.
An older skylight does not automatically need to come out. Some units are still in good condition and can be properly integrated into the new roof. Others may have worn seals, damaged frames, outdated flashing, or signs of water intrusion that make replacement the smarter long-term decision.
We will show you what we see, explain the options, and let you make an informed call.
A Roofing Company First
IronHead is not a skylight sales company that occasionally works on roofs. We are a roofing company started by roofers.
That matters because the most important part of a skylight installation is not simply placing the unit in the opening. It is making sure the flashing, waterproofing, drainage, and surrounding roofing materials are installed correctly.
Our crews understand how the skylight fits into the complete roof system. We also follow strict jobsite safety practices and use camera oversight on our projects to help maintain consistency and accountability in the field.
IronHead is veteran-owned, privately owned, and based here in Oregon. We are not backed by private equity. We answer to our customers and the communities where we live and work, not a group of outside investors.
Skylight Installation Frequently Asked Questions
Does IronHead Install VELUX Skylights?
Yes. VELUX is the primary skylight brand we install and replace for residential roofing projects. Available fixed and venting options depend on the roof, opening, and project scope.
Can You Replace My Skylight When You Replace My Roof?
Yes. This is the most common way we handle skylight replacement. It allows the new skylight and flashing to be installed while the surrounding roofing is being rebuilt.
Do I Have to Replace My Skylight During a Roof Replacement?
No. We inspect the existing unit and give you an honest recommendation. If it is still in good condition and can be properly integrated into the new roof, keeping it may be a reasonable option.
Can IronHead Add a Skylight Where There is Not One Now?
In some cases, yes, when it is part of a larger roofing project. New installation requires additional planning because it may involve structural framing, insulation, an interior shaft, drywall, and finishing.
Does IronHead Off Skylight Repair Services?
Our skylight work is primarily connected to roofing projects. We evaluate repair requests based on the condition of the roof, the source of the leak, the project scope, location, and scheduling availability.
What Kind of Contractor Should Install a Skylight?
A roofing contractor is often the right choice, especially when the skylight is being installed or replaced during a roof project. The contractor needs to understand flashing, waterproofing, drainage, and how the skylight integrates with the surrounding roof.
Can You Work with Skylights on Metal Roofs?
Potentially. Skylight installation on a metal roof requires careful planning around the roof profile, flashing system, drainage, and manufacturer requirements. We review these projects individually before recommending an approach.
Can IronHead Help with Commercial or Custom Skylights?
For select projects, yes. We sometimes work with ASI products for custom-order or commercial applications when they fit the project better.
Is a Leaking Skylight an Emergency?
Active water intrusion should be addressed quickly, especially if water is reaching insulation, drywall, electrical fixtures, or interior finishes. The source may be the skylight, the flashing, or another part of the roof. Contact us so we can determine whether the project fits our repair or roofing services.
Insights & Tips from Our Blog
Planning a Roof Replacement? Let’s Look at the Skylights Too
If your roof is ready for replacement, this is the right time to inspect any existing skylights and talk through your options. IronHead Roofing serves homeowners throughout Oregon, including Corvallis, Albany, Eugene, Salem, the Portland metro area, and surrounding communities.
Corvallis, OR
From historic homes to newer builds, roofs in Corvallis take a beating year-round. We know the terrain, we know the weather, and we know how to fix roofs that hold up. If your roof’s leaking or just looking rough, call IronHead for straightforward repairs that don’t waste your time.
Eugene, OR
In the heart of Duck country, Eugene’s mix of older homes and growing neighborhoods means no two roofs are the same. We offer reliable roof repair services across Eugene, backed by real experience and no sales games. If you’ve got a problem up top, we’ll find it and fix it.
Albany, OR
Albany’s wet winters make dependable drainage an important part of protecting your home. IronHead provides gutter installation and repair in Albany, with a focus on proper water flow, sound fascia, and a system that works with the roof above it.