Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
You've probably heard it before. "Don't get a skylight: they always leak." Maybe your neighbor said it. Maybe your uncle swore by it after a bad experience in the '90s. And honestly, we get it. That fear is real.
But here's the thing. That old warning? It's mostly a myth today.
Modern skylight installation has changed everything. The materials are better. The techniques are smarter. And when experienced roof contractors handle the job, your skylight can be just as watertight as any other part of your roof.
Let's break down where this myth came from. And more importantly, let's show you why it doesn't have to be your story.
Every myth has a grain of truth. The leaky skylight reputation didn't appear out of nowhere.
Back in the day, many skylights were made from cheap plastic. They cracked. They warped. They let water in. The flashing around them was often basic metal pieces that didn't seal well. And installers sometimes rushed through the job without proper training.
The result? A lot of frustrated homeowners with water-stained ceilings.
But here's what most people don't realize. The skylight itself wasn't usually the problem. Poor installation was. Cheap materials were. Cutting corners was.
According to industry research, when skylights are installed improperly or with inadequate flashing, water infiltration becomes inevitable. Many homeowners assumed any hole cut into a roof would eventually leak. But that assumption misses the whole picture.
Today's skylights are nothing like those old plastic domes. Reputable manufacturers have completely reimagined how these products work.
Take VELUX, for example. Their skylights feature three exceptionally durable protective layers. These layers guard against rain, wind, and UV damage. They're engineered to handle whatever Charlotte weather throws at them.
Modern skylights also use advanced glass technology. Low-E coatings reflect heat away in summer. This keeps your home cooler without blocking natural light. Some models even have rain-sensing technology. They close automatically when they detect moisture. Pretty smart, right?
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) notes that today's skylight products, when paired with professional installation, perform reliably for decades. The technology has simply outpaced the old reputation.
Here's where things get exciting. The biggest improvement in skylight installation isn't the skylight itself. It's the flashing.
Flashing is the waterproof barrier between your skylight and your roof. Think of it like a custom raincoat for that opening in your roof. Old flashing systems used multiple metal pieces that could separate over time. Water found those gaps eventually.
Modern flashing is completely different. Many manufacturers now use one-piece steel construction. No seams. No gaps. No way for water to sneak through.
These systems also integrate with your existing roofing materials. They work with asphalt shingles, metal roofing, even tile. The flashing tucks under the shingles above and over the shingles below. Water naturally flows around the skylight and down your roof.
When installed correctly by trained roof contractors, this flashing system creates a seal that's actually stronger than the surrounding roof surface.
We can't stress this enough. The quality of your skylight installation depends on who does the work.
A skylight isn't a DIY weekend project. And it's not something you want the cheapest roofing companies to handle. Here's why.
Cutting the roof opening requires precision. Too big, and you have gaps to fill. Too small, and the skylight won't seat properly. The angle matters too. It affects how water flows around the unit.
Proper flashing installation follows specific steps. Each layer has to go down in the right order. The sealants need to cure at certain temperatures. Miss one step, and you've created a future leak.
Professional roof contractors understand these details because they've done hundreds of installations. They know what works in our Charlotte and Lake Norman climate. They've seen what happens when shortcuts are taken.
At Best Roofing Now, we follow manufacturer guidelines exactly. Why? Because those guidelines were developed through years of testing. They represent the best path to a leak-free installation.
Not all roofing companies are created equal. Especially when it comes to skylights.
Here's what we recommend you look for:
Manufacturer certifications. Companies certified by skylight manufacturers have received specific training. They know the products inside and out. They also have access to better warranty options.
Local experience. Charlotte and Lake Norman have unique weather patterns. Afternoon thunderstorms in summer. Occasional ice in winter. High humidity year-round. Roofing companies familiar with these conditions install skylights that handle local challenges.
Detailed proposals. A good contractor explains exactly what flashing system they'll use. They specify the skylight brand and model. They outline the installation process. Vague proposals are a red flag.
Strong warranties. Quality manufacturers offer 10-year installation warranties. That confidence tells you something. They stand behind their products because they trust the installation process.
References and reviews. Ask about past skylight projects. Look at photos. Read Google reviews. Patterns emerge quickly.
Living in the Charlotte area means dealing with some interesting weather. Let's talk about how modern skylights handle it.
Summer storms. Those afternoon pop-up thunderstorms can drop a lot of rain quickly. Modern flashing systems channel water away efficiently. The one-piece steel construction means no weak points even during heavy downpours.
Humidity. High humidity can cause condensation inside poorly installed skylights. Quality units have thermal breaks: barriers that prevent temperature differences from causing moisture buildup. Proper ventilation around the unit helps too.
Winter ice. We don't get much ice around Lake Norman. But when we do, it can be rough on roofs. Modern skylight frames expand and contract with temperature changes without losing their seal.
UV exposure. North Carolina sun is strong. Cheap plastic skylights yellowed and cracked over time. Today's tempered glass with UV coatings stays clear for decades.
The point is this. Modern skylights are designed for real-world conditions. Including ours.
Already have a skylight? Or planning to get one? Here's how to know the installation meets current standards.
✅ Seamless flashing. You shouldn't see gaps or lifted edges around the skylight frame. The flashing should tuck smoothly under surrounding shingles.
✅ No visible sealant globs. Professional installations don't rely on caulk to fill gaps. If you see thick sealant lines, someone was compensating for poor fitting.
✅ Proper slope. Your skylight should sit at an angle that encourages water runoff. Flat installations collect debris and water.
✅ Clean interior finish. Inside, the skylight well should be properly insulated and finished. You shouldn't see exposed framing or gaps.
✅ Manufacturer warranty paperwork. Proper installations come with documentation. This proves the work was done to manufacturer specs.
We understand the temptation to save money. Roofing projects aren't cheap. But cutting corners on skylight installation costs more in the long run.
Water damage spreads fast. One small leak becomes stained drywall. Then damaged insulation. Then mold growth. Then rotted framing. What started as a $200 savings turns into $5,000 in repairs.
We've seen this story too many times in Charlotte homes. Homeowners hired the lowest bidder. They saved money upfront. Two years later, they're calling us to fix the mess.
Investing in quality installation from reputable roofing companies protects your home. It protects your family's health. And honestly, it protects your sanity.
Here's what gets us excited. Skylight technology keeps getting better.
Solar-powered models open and close without wiring. Smart home integration lets you control skylights from your phone. Electrochromic glass tints automatically based on sunlight intensity. Some units even have built-in blinds.
These aren't luxury features anymore. They're becoming standard on mid-range models.
And the installation techniques? They're evolving too. New underlayment materials create even stronger waterproof barriers. Better sealants last longer and stay flexible. Training programs ensure roof contractors stay current.
The leaky skylight myth belongs to another era. Today's reality is bright, literally.
If you've been holding back on a skylight because of leak fears, we hope this helped. The technology has changed. The installation methods have improved. And working with experienced roof contractors makes all the difference.
Skylights bring natural light into dark spaces. They reduce your need for electric lighting. They can even improve your home's resale value. And when installed correctly? They stay watertight for decades.
At Best Roofing Now, we've helped homeowners across Charlotte and Lake Norman add skylights without the worry. We use manufacturer-certified techniques and premium flashing systems. We stand behind our work with strong warranties.
Ready to explore skylight options for your home? Schedule a free consultation with our team today. We'll assess your roof, discuss the best placement, and show you exactly how modern installation keeps water out: and sunlight in.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
Based on this article, you may be interested in these services.
We proudly serve these Charlotte-area communities with professional roofing services.
View All Service Areas →Get a free roof inspection and honest assessment from Charlotte's most trusted roofing company.
