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.
Picture this. You just finished your roof replacement last summer. The shingles look great. Everything's sealed up tight. And then you walk into your dark living room and think, "Man, a skylight would be amazing right here."
Now you're faced with a tough choice. Either live with that dim room forever. Or pay someone to cut into your brand-new roof.
Here's the thing. That scenario plays out more often than you'd think around Charlotte and Lake Norman. Homeowners finish a roof installation, then realize a few months later they missed a golden opportunity. And it stings a little.
But you're reading this now. Which means you have a chance to do it differently.
Let's talk about why installing skylights during your roof replacement is one of the smartest moves you can make. Both for your wallet and for your home's future.
There's a reason contractors love bundling projects. When our crew is already up on your roof removing old shingles and laying down new materials, the structure is wide open. We can see the framing. We can reinforce where needed. We can cut openings for skylights without disturbing finished work.
Compare that to adding a skylight after your roof replacement is done. Suddenly, we're cutting through new shingles. We're removing materials we just installed. We're working around completed sections that weren't designed with a skylight in mind.
It's like baking a cake, decorating it beautifully, then realizing you forgot the filling. You can technically add it. But it's messy. And expensive.
Let's get into the numbers. Because this is where things get interesting.
When you install skylights during a roof replacement, you save money in three major ways:
Lower Labor Costs
Your roofing crew is already on-site. They already have the equipment set up. The old roof is already being removed. Adding a skylight at this stage takes a fraction of the time compared to a standalone project.
According to industry data, combining these projects can reduce skylight installation labor costs significantly. Some estimates put the savings at 30-50% compared to installing skylights on an existing roof.
No Duplicate Work
Think about what happens if you install a skylight after your roof replacement. Contractors have to remove the shingles in that area. Then they cut the opening. Then they install the skylight. Then they re-shingle around it.
That's doing the same work twice in one spot. During a roof replacement? We handle everything in one pass. No wasted materials. No redundant labor.
Better Integration
When we install skylights during roof replacement, we can ensure perfect alignment with your new roofing system. The flashing (that's the metal barrier that prevents leaks) integrates seamlessly with your fresh underlayment and shingles.
This isn't just about convenience. It's about longevity. Skylights installed during roof replacement typically have fewer leak issues because everything was designed to work together from day one.
Here in the Charlotte area, our weather keeps roofing contractors busy year-round. We get heavy spring rains. Summer thunderstorms roll through Lake Norman like clockwork. And those occasional ice storms in winter? They test every roof in the region.
All that weather means proper waterproofing around skylights is non-negotiable.
When we combine skylight installation with your roof replacement, we have the opportunity to reinforce the framing around the opening. We install ice and water shield (that's a sticky waterproof barrier) in all the right places. We make sure the flashing is perfect before any shingles go down.
The result? A skylight that handles Charlotte's wild weather patterns without breaking a sweat. Or springing a leak.
If you're planning a roof replacement in Charlotte, this is the time to think about skylights.
Okay, we've talked a lot about money. But let's be real. The financial savings are just part of the story.
Skylights transform homes. And I'm not being dramatic here.
Dark rooms are depressing. There's no other way to say it. And in some homes, no matter how many lamps you add, certain spaces just feel cave-like.
Skylights solve this problem in a way that windows can't. They bring light straight down from above. That means even interior rooms without exterior walls can flood with sunshine.
Studies show natural light improves mood, boosts productivity, and helps regulate sleep cycles. In a home office? Game-changer. In a bathroom? No more fluorescent lighting casting weird shadows while you get ready in the morning.
I know what you're thinking. "Won't skylights make my house hotter in summer?"
Here's where modern technology comes in. Today's skylights feature insulated glass with UV protection. They let light in while blocking heat transfer. Some models even have Low-E coatings that reflect solar heat in summer and keep warmth inside during winter.
And venting skylights? They're like having a chimney for hot air. Open them up on a mild Charlotte evening and watch the stuffiness disappear from your upstairs rooms. Natural ventilation means your AC works less. Which means lower power bills.
Speaking of venting skylights. They're incredible for bathrooms and kitchens.
Moisture is the enemy of homes. It leads to mold. It causes wood rot. It makes everything feel gross. Venting skylights let humid air escape naturally. Your bathroom dries out faster after showers. Your kitchen clears cooking smells without running the hood fan on high for an hour.
For Lake Norman homes near the water, where humidity can be particularly stubborn, this benefit is huge.
Natural light consistently ranks as one of the top features homebuyers look for. A well-placed skylight can make a room feel larger, more modern, and more inviting.
According to the National Association of Realtors, homes with abundant natural light tend to sell faster. And quality skylights? They signal to buyers that the home was thoughtfully upgraded with attention to detail.
If you're thinking about selling in the next decade, skylights installed during your roof replacement could pay for themselves in resale value.
Not all skylights are created equal. Here's a quick breakdown of your options:
Fixed Skylights
These don't open. They're simply windows in your roof. They're the most affordable option and work great for bringing light into spaces where ventilation isn't a priority. Think hallways, stairwells, or living rooms.
Venting Skylights
These open to let air flow. Some open manually with a crank or pole. Others are motorized. The fanciest versions have rain sensors that automatically close them when moisture is detected.
For Charlotte's unpredictable afternoon storms, rain-sensing skylights are worth every penny.
Tubular Skylights (Sun Tunnels)
These are smaller, round skylights connected to reflective tubes. They're perfect for bringing light into compact spaces like closets, bathrooms, or pantries. They're also more affordable than traditional skylights.
During your roof installation consultation, we can help you figure out which type makes sense for each room.
When you combine skylight installation with roof replacement, here's how it typically works:
Planning Phase – We identify the best locations for skylights based on your roof structure, sun exposure, and interior layout.
Framing Reinforcement – If needed, we reinforce the roof framing around skylight openings. This is much easier when the roof deck is exposed.
Curb Installation – We install the skylight curb (the raised frame that the skylight sits on) and integrate it with your underlayment.
Skylight Placement – The skylight unit goes in, complete with proper flashing and weatherproofing.
Roofing Completion – Shingles are installed around the skylight, creating a seamless, watertight finish.
The whole process adds minimal time to your roof replacement project. But it saves you massive hassle compared to doing it later.
"Won't skylights leak?"
This is the number one fear. And honestly? It's valid if we're talking about skylights from 30 years ago. But modern skylights with proper installation have excellent track records. The key is quality materials and expert workmanship. When installed during roof replacement, leak risks drop even further because everything integrates properly.
"What about too much heat?"
Modern glazing technology handles this. Plus, strategic placement matters. North-facing skylights provide consistent, cool light. South-facing ones maximize winter warmth. We'll help you choose locations that work for your specific home.
"Are they hard to maintain?"
Not really. An occasional cleaning and a yearly inspection of the seals is usually all they need. We cover roof maintenance best practices that apply to skylights too.
Here's the truth. Roof replacement is a significant investment. You're already spending the money. You're already dealing with the inconvenience. The crew is already on your roof.
Adding skylights at this stage costs a fraction of what it would cost later. And you get better results. Better integration. Better waterproofing. And zero disruption to completed work down the road.
If you've ever looked at a room in your home and thought, "This space needs more light," now is your moment. Don't let it pass.
At Best Roofing Now, we help Charlotte and Lake Norman homeowners make the most of their roof replacement projects. That includes helping you envision what skylights could do for your home.
✅ Ready to explore your options? Contact us for a free roof inspection and let's talk about how skylights could transform your space during your next roof installation. We'll walk through your home, identify the best opportunities, and give you an honest assessment of costs and benefits.
Because timing really is everything. And right now? The timing couldn't be better.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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