There are countless perks to having a skylight of your own. Stunning natural lighting, views, savings on your electricity bills… the list goes on! However, you have a duty to ensure your skylight is taken care of.
To avoid degradation and costly damage to your home, it is important to be aware of when it may be time to replace your skylight. Continue reading as we break down how often skylights need to be replaced, why they need replacing, and the key indicators to look out for.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Skylights WA today.
The Average Lifespan of a Skylight
Even the best skylights on the market aren’t designed to last an eternity. A great skylight can only ever promise you around 20 to 30 years of use before it’s time for a replacement. If you avoid the costs of replacing your skylight, there could be much more pricey damage on the horizon. Cracks and leaks can do considerable damage to your home, after all.
That said, facing problems with your skylight isn’t the only reason to consider replacement. Maybe you’ve had it for 20 years now, and are yet to find any issues or faults. That’s wonderful! However, you’re probably missing out on a much higher-quality product.
Over the course of two or three decades, skylight technology will transform entirely. If you want a high-quality skylight, designed to enhance your home and last a long time, then it might be time for a change. Think of it as an upgrade rather than a replacement!
Signs You Should Replace Your Skylight
There are plenty of signs to look out for that your skylight may be overdue for a replacement. Of course, different designs are going to have different lifespans and will begin to degrade in different ways. Your skylight manufacturer should let you know the specifics of when you should expect to be replacing your skylight.
Here are just a few common indicators that it may be time to get a new skylight:
1. Discolouration
When a skylight starts to age, it may begin to leak or let in moisture. Sometimes, it might be obvious, but other times it can be very subtle. If moisture is getting through your skylight and into the surrounding walls, you may start to notice yellow stains starting to appear around your skylight. This is a sign that you should immediately get your skylight replaced.
2. Cracks
Even the tiniest crack in your skylight can lead to all sorts of bigger problems. If you notice cracks of any size, no matter how big or small, you run the risk of water coming into your home — or worse! Take cracks as an indication that you should consider a replacement.
3. Time’s Up
All skylights have a natural age limit. After about 20 to 30 years, it’s probably time to consider a newer model of skylight. Technology has progressed considerably over time, and newer skylight models are more compliant, more protected, and better designed for longevity. If your skylight is over 25 years old, it’s time to get it checked out by a professional.
4. Leaks & Condensation
No surprises here — if there are leaks in your skylight, something is wrong. Any water dripping from the sides of your skylight or building up beneath it is a sign that your window sealant has a problem. Similarly, it may be time for a replacement if you start to notice streaks of condensation accumulating between the window panes.
The Best Opportunity to Replace Your Skylight
Replacing a skylight can take time and money. One of the best tips we offer skylight owners is to take advantage of a good opportunity to replace their skylight — and the best time to do that is when you re-roof. Of course, we understand the hesitation that most homeowners feel about this idea. Re-roofing is expensive enough as it is, so why add even more costs to the project?
Here’s the thing— if you’re re-roofing anyway, your skylight is going to be affected. All the movement and banging around throughout the construction process is bound to cause problems for your skylight in the future. Paying for a new skylight now, and taking the opportunity to get your whole roof sorted in one go, is going to avoid the extra costs of dealing with unexpected damage to your existing skylight. Avoid all the follow-up consultations and product degradation. Everything around the skylight is getting replaced anyway, so may as well get it all done in one go!
Contact Skylights WA for a Free Consultation
Time to get your skylight replaced? Let’s do it together.
At Skylights WA, we take pride in giving Australians the home of their dreams with our top-quality skylight options. If it’s time to replace your skylight, we can help ensure that you receive a long-lasting and impressive replacement product.
Don’t wait around for leaks and damage to take place! The friendly experts of the Skylights WA team are ready to take your call and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s get the ball rolling on your skylight replacement sooner rather than later.
