You picked your shingle color. You approved the estimate. Then you ask the dangerous question:
“Can we just flash around the old skylights?”
As your local roofing partner, our honest answer is: we can, but you should not.
Why old skylights plus new roofs can turn into a disaster
Skylights and asphalt roofs tend to age on a similar timeline. Many skylights have a practical lifespan around 15 to 20 years, depending on quality, exposure, and how well they were installed.
So when a homeowner keeps 18-year-old skylights on a brand new roof, the roof is new, but the skylight is already near end-of-life.
Here is the typical timeline we see:
Year 1: Everything looks fine
The roof is new. The flashing is fresh. The skylight is still holding on.
Year 3: The skylight starts failing
Common failure points: - Seal failure (foggy glass, moisture between panes) - Drafts and heat loss - Mechanical issues on venting skylights (cranks, arms, operators) - Brittle gaskets and aging cladding
Year 4: The expensive part
Now you need a skylight replacement.
The problem is access. To replace the unit correctly, a roofer often has to: - Remove shingles around the skylight - Remove and replace flashing components - Install the new skylight - Re-shingle and re-seal the area
That is why replacing a skylight after a new roof is installed can cost significantly more than doing it during the initial roof replacement. You are paying for careful tear-off and patching on a roof that was just finished.
The simple rule: if the skylight is old, replace it with the roof
If your skylight is within a few years of the roof age, or you already see any of these signs, it is usually smarter to replace it now: - Fogging between panes - Water staining at the drywall corners - Drafts or cold spots - Cracked acrylic domes - Sticky or failing operators
The 2026 tax credit angle (solar-powered skylights)
There is good news. Some solar-powered skylights and solar-powered blinds may qualify for a federal tax credit (often discussed as 30% for eligible products), and in many cases the credit can apply to both the product and installation labor.
Important: tax rules and eligibility can change, and your exact eligibility depends on the product and your tax situation. We can help you choose an eligible skylight model, and you should confirm the details with your tax professional.
For many Rhode Island homeowners, that incentive can make upgrading feel a lot more affordable than keeping an old, drafty unit.
Why this matters in Rhode Island
In RI, we see big temperature swings, wind-driven rain, and winter freeze-thaw cycles. Skylights are a roof penetration, and penetrations are where problems show up first.
A new skylight installed during roof replacement lets us integrate the flashing with the new shingles as a complete system.
Rhode Island Service Locations:
Ashaway, Barrington, Bradford, Bristol, Carolina, Central Falls, Charlestown, Chepachet, Clayville, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, East Greenwich, East Providence, Exeter, Forestdale, Foster, Glendale, Greene, Greenville, Harrisville,Hope,Hope Valley, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Johnston, Kenyon, Kingston, Lincoln, Little Compton, Manville, Mapleville, Middletown, Narragansett, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Scituate, North Smithfield, Oakland, Pascoag, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Riverside, Rockville, Rumford, Saunderstown, Shannock, Scituate, Slatersville, Smithfield, Tiverton, Wakefield, Warren, Warwick, West Greenwich, West Kingston, West Warwick, Westerly, Wood River Junction, Woonsocket, Wyoming
Call to Action
If you are replacing your roof and you have older skylights, ask us to price both options side by side: keep and re-flash vs replace now.
Call (401) 425-4108 or use our Contact Us page to schedule a roof and skylight inspection.
FAQ
Should I replace my skylights when I replace my roof?
Yes. Replacing skylights during the roofing process is usually cheaper and reduces leak risk because the flashing can be integrated correctly with the new shingles.
Are there tax credits for skylights in RI?
Some federal solar tax credits may apply to eligible solar-powered skylights and blinds, and may include installation costs. Eligibility depends on the product and current tax rules.
Can a roofer just re-flash an old skylight?
Sometimes, but it does not solve seal failure, aging gaskets, or mechanical issues. If the unit is near end-of-life, re-flashing can be a short-term fix that leads to expensive rework later.