A skylight is only as good as the roof around it. Martin Exteriors is a VELUX certified and GAF Master Elite roofer, and we have been serving the Stateline since 2006. We install new skylights, replace old ones and fix the leaks around them. Call (815) 624-6278 or schedule your free skylight inspection.
Quick answer: why a roofer should install your skylight
Most skylight problems start where the skylight meets the roof, not in the glass. A roofer installs the skylight, the flashing, the underlayment and the shingles as one system, so water has nowhere to sneak in.
When a skylight goes in by itself, the flashing can end up tucked under shingles that were never meant to be lifted. When we do it, the same team that knows your roof handles every layer. We are VELUX certified, and as a GAF Master Elite contractor we hold ourselves to the same standard on the roof around the skylight. That is the whole idea: one job, one team, no gaps between trades.
Skylight leaking? Repair, reflash, or replace
Most leaking skylights can be fixed, but the right fix depends on where the water is coming from. We find the source first, then tell you whether it needs a repair, new flashing or a new skylight.
Condensation or a real leak?
Water on the inside of the glass on a cold morning is often condensation, not a leak. Warm, damp indoor air hits cold glass and turns to water. Drips that show up after rain or snowmelt, stains on the drywall around the opening, or wet insulation in the attic point to a real leak.
What usually fails
- Flashing. Bent, rusted or poorly lapped flashing lets water run under the shingles and into the opening.
- Seals. Older skylights have seals that dry out and crack, which can let water in and fog the glass.
- Ice dams. Snow melts, runs down and refreezes at the cold edge of the skylight, then backs up under the shingles.
If the skylight itself is in good shape, reflashing it is often enough. If the seals have failed or the unit is old, replacing it makes more sense. Learn more about our roof repair work.
Leaks around a chimney or along a wall come from the same kind of joint. See chimney flashing repair.
Replacing skylights during a roof replacement
The best time to replace an older skylight is when you get a new roof. VELUX says the same thing in its skylight replacement guide: the roofers are already up there, and the new skylight and new roof can be flashed together from the deck up.
If you put new shingles around an old skylight, you are tying a brand new roof into the oldest part of it. When we handle a roof replacement, we look at every skylight during the inspection and give you the option to replace them on the same job.
Skylight options we install
We install VELUX skylights, including these types. Product details below come from VELUX’s published materials.
Fixed skylights
A fixed skylight does not open. It is a simple way to bring daylight into a room like a kitchen, family room or stairwell.
Venting skylights
A venting skylight opens to let fresh air in, which helps in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture and heat build up.
Solar-powered venting skylights
A VELUX Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight opens and closes on solar power with a remote, so there is no wiring to run. VELUX says its venting systems include a rain sensor that closes the skylight automatically when weather moves in, plus an insect screen.
VELUX Sun Tunnel tubular skylights
A VELUX Sun Tunnel is a tubular skylight. A small dome on the roof sends daylight down a reflective tube to a ceiling fixture. It works well in hallways, closets, bathrooms and other small or dark spaces where a full skylight will not fit.
Replacing old bubble or dome skylights
Many older homes still have the plastic bubble or dome skylights that went in decades ago. VELUX lists the signs it is time to replace one: discoloration from the sun, mildew stains from moisture, leaks and condensation around the panes. If yours has turned yellow, cracked, or always seems damp, it is a good candidate. An old bubble can be swapped for a VELUX skylight with clear glass, and a venting model adds fresh air too.
Skylights in Northern Illinois winters
Snow and cold are hard on skylights. Snow piles up on the uphill side, melts in the sun and can refreeze at the edges, which is how ice dams form around a skylight. Proper flashing gives that water a clear path off the roof.
Winter is also when condensation shows up most. Good attic airflow helps keep the roof deck around the skylight cold and dry. If your attic runs warm or damp, see our attic ventilation service. We look at the attic during every free inspection.
Our skylight process
- Free inspection. We check the skylight, flashing, shingles and the attic below, and take photos. See what a roof inspection covers.
- Measure. We measure the opening and help you choose the right VELUX product.
- Remove. We take out the old skylight and the surrounding flashing.
- Deck and curb repair. We replace any soft or damaged decking and repair the curb if needed.
- Flashing kit. We install the manufacturer’s flashing and underlayment so the skylight and roof shed water together.
- Install. We set the new skylight and tie it into the shingles.
- Interior check. We check the inside for a clean finish and walk you through how it works.
Areas we serve
We install and repair skylights in Rockford, Roscoe, Rockton, Loves Park, Machesney Park, South Beloit, Belvidere and Cherry Valley. In Wisconsin, we serve Beloit, Janesville, Delavan, Lake Geneva and Elkhorn. See all of our residential roofing services.
Skylight FAQs
Why is my skylight leaking?
Most skylight leaks come from the joint where the skylight meets the roof, not the glass. Worn flashing, failed seals and ice dams are the usual causes. Water on the glass on cold mornings may be condensation instead of a leak.
Can a leaking skylight be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
Often it can be repaired. If the skylight is in good shape, new flashing usually fixes the leak. If the seals have failed or the unit is old and cloudy, replacing it usually makes more sense.
Should I replace my skylights when I get a new roof?
Usually, yes. A reroof is the best time to replace older skylights, because the new skylight and new roof get flashed together. We look at every skylight during your roof inspection.
Can you replace a skylight without replacing the roof?
Yes. VELUX confirms a skylight can be replaced without a new roof. We remove the old unit, repair the deck if needed and flash the new one into your existing shingles.
How do I know it’s time to replace an old bubble skylight?
Look for yellowing, cracks, mildew stains, leaks or condensation around the panes. Those are the signs VELUX lists for replacing a dome or bubble skylight.
What is a solar-powered venting skylight?
It is a skylight that opens and closes on solar power, with no wiring needed. VELUX says its venting models include a rain sensor that closes the skylight automatically when it rains.
What is a Sun Tunnel, and where does it work best?
A VELUX Sun Tunnel is a tubular skylight that carries daylight from the roof down a reflective tube. It works best in small or dark spaces like hallways, closets and bathrooms.
Are you VELUX certified?
Yes. Martin Exteriors is VELUX certified, and we are also a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor.
Do you offer free skylight inspections?
Yes. Our roof inspections are free, and we check every skylight, its flashing and the attic below. Call (815) 624-6278 to book.
Schedule your free skylight inspection
Leaking skylight, foggy bubble, or a dark hallway that needs daylight? We are open 24/7. Call (815) 624-6278 or book online.
