Replacing A Skylight | Expert Guide

A desk in the foreground with a skylight in the background

So, the time has come to replace your skylight. This could be for many reasons: maybe your existing skylight has broken, maybe it’s getting old and leaking, or maybe it’s got an outdated design and you want to upgrade. Whatever the reason, replacing your skylight might seem like a daunting task.

In this guide to skylight replacement, we want to explore how you can replace a skylight yourself, as well as helping you learn how to pick the right replacement for you and your property. As soon as you’re ready to learn more about both of these topics, read on and let’s begin.

Double-glazed windows will usually last between 15 and 30 years. There are a number of factors that can affect the lifespan of your windows. For example, the quality of the windows, as well as the quality of the installation, can both have a significant impact on how long they’ll last.

There are other, more nebulous factors that can impact the lifespan of your windows, including the weather where you live. If you experience regular extreme weather conditions or a lot of rain and wind, this can reduce the lifespan of your windows.

When does a skylight need replacing?

There are a number of key reasons that you may need to replace a skylight. Some examples include:

It’s leaking
It’s broken
It’s ageing and has a subsequent loss of efficiency
There’s a new model available with better features
You can feel draughts
Increasing energy bills
Condensation on the inside
Furniture/carpet is fading around a window
Difficult to open/close
No double glazing

You may even be experiencing several of these issues at once! Whatever the cause, if you want to replace your roof window and enjoy all the benefits a skylight can provide, we can help.

The benefits of replacing windows

There are lots of benefits to replacing your windows at home, but here are some of the main ones you might not have considered:

Lower energy bills thanks to better insulation
Increased home value
Your home will be more soundproof
New waterproofing to protect against leaks

Helpful maintenance tips

If your windows are currently in good working order, you should do your best to ensure that they stay that way. The best way to do that is by carrying out regular window maintenance. In this section, we will explore some of the ways you can maintain your windows.

Clean your windows

Keeping your windows clean is a great first step. Build-up of dirt and grime can cause issues later down the line. Clean your windows with soapy water or window cleaner and a soft cloth.

Check seals

Your window seals do a lot of hard work for your home. They keep moisture and draughts out, but they don’t last forever. Regularly check the seals on your windows for wear and breakages.

Lubricate moving parts

You should try and apply lubricant as often as you can to your window’s moving parts, such as locks and hinges. This not only means that they’ll keep working as designed, lubricants also prevent corrosion and rust.

Do you need to replace skylights when re-roofing?

Whether you need to consider skylight replacement when getting a new roof fitted to your home depends on a number of key factors. If the skylight is in good condition and not too old (skylights typically last for up to 30 years), if its seal is intact and if it’s compatible with your new roof, the odds are that you will be able to reuse your old skylight in your new roof. However, if none of the above is true, you may need to purchase a new skylight to go with your new roof.

Choosing a replacement skylight

So, the time has come: for whatever reason, you’ve decided to replace your skylight. So, given that there are so many different skylights on the market, how should you decide on the right new skylight for you? Firstly, you should consider the purpose and location of the skylight. Are you looking for a specific kind of skylight or one that would fit into a particular room, such as a kitchen skylight? You should also consider where you want to place the skylight on your roof, the size and shape that you’re looking for, and any particular materials that you want it to feature, as well as the colour of the frame.

You should also consider whether you would like to purchase an opening skylight or a fixed one. Would you like it to have an electric opening mechanism? List out everything that you may need in a skylight, where it is going to go, and what materials you would like, and use this as a guide. Remember, an informed purchase is always better than an uninformed one. You can weigh up the pros and cons of opening vs non-opening skylights in our guide.

How much does it cost?

The cost of skylight replacement will depend on a number of different factors. Let’s explore some of the main ones.

The Cost of the Skylight

The first factor that will affect how much it costs is the cost of the skylight itself. Skylights can range in costs between hundreds and thousands of pounds.

View our complete guide to skylight costs.

Labour Costs

If you would like to have a professional install your new skylight, you will need to factor in labour costs to your skylight replacement budget. On average, installing a skylight will cost you between £500 and £800, which covers the cost of installing the skylight as well as ensuring flashing and seals are installed properly.

The Roof

The style of your roof will also likely affect replacement costs. Installing a skylight on a particularly steep or complex roof is liable to cost more than installing one on a flat roof.

Learn more about the differences between flat roof and pitched rooflight extensions.

Our Top Pick: Framed Flat Skylights

Framed flat skylights offer a sleek, modern way to bring more natural light into flat-roof spaces, while maintaining strong thermal and safety performance.

Key Features

Our framed flat skylights are supplied with double-glazed units, combining a toughened outer pane with a laminated inner pane for added safety. The laminated glass helps prevent shards falling into the room if the glass is damaged. Thermal performance is strong, with a centre pane U-value of around 1.1 W/m²K, helping to reduce heat loss.

The slim aluminium frame creates a clean, contemporary finish and is available in popular colours such as anthracite grey and black. Optional upgrades include self-clean glass, solar control coatings, and tinted or obscured finishes.

Specifications & Sizes

A typical build-up includes a 6 mm toughened outer pane, a 20 mm argon-filled cavity, and a laminated inner pane (thicker glass is used for larger units). Frames are thermally broken aluminium for improved insulation.

Units are made to order and available in a wide range of sizes from compact options like 600 × 600 mm through to large formats of 3000 × 1800 mm, with bespoke sizing available. (Accurate measurement of the roof opening or upstand is essential before ordering).

Costs

Prices can vary depending on size and specification. As a loose guide, though:

Smaller framed flat skylights start from around £390 excl. VAT
Larger units can cost £3,000+ excl. VAT

Optional glazing upgrades will increase the final price, so it’s best to request a tailored quote for your project.

How to replace a skylight

If you would rather save money and install your new skylight yourself, the following section will help you. It will explore, in three relatively simple steps, how to replace your old skylight with a new one.

Remove the old feature

To remove your old skylight, you will first need to remove the tiles surrounding it. After this, you will be able to get to the flashing and remove this, as well as membranes. You can now finally remove the window itself – they’re heavier than you may be expecting, so be careful not to drop it while removing it from the roof.

Position and secure the new one

Now that you’ve got the space for your new skylight, presuming it’s the same size, you’re ready to install it! The side of your window sash will determine which side the skylight opens from, so be sure that you have it accurately placed. Now that you have it in the right position, you can line up your skylight’s centre with the aperture in your roof’s centre, then use nails to secure the skylight in place. Install any flashing or other materials that are required, and you’re almost done!

Replace all roof tiles

After you’ve fitted your skylight, there’s one last step before you’re completely finished. Attach the roof tiles that you removed back during the first step, and you’ll be good to go.

Get your replacement skylight from Toughened Glass Systems

We hope that you’ve found this guide about skylight replacement helpful! If you are considering buying a new skylight and replacing your old one, Toughened Glass Systems can help you. We have a wide range of different skylights available for purchase, from kitchen skylights to pyramid skylights that can add the largest amount of light possible to your home. If you have questions about choosing a skylight or choosing the right model for your needs, please contact us today, and our expert team will be happy to help you.

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FAQs

How much should a new skylight cost?

Depending upon the specific skylight that you are interested in, its size and materials, a skylight could cost hundreds or thousands of pounds. If you do not opt to install your new skylight yourself, you will also need to consider labour costs, which will come to around £300-500 per day.

Can skylights be replaced without replacing the roof?

It is possible to replace a skylight without replacing your roof. This will, however, depend on the condition of your roof. If your roof is in poor condition, it may not be possible to simply replace a skylight, as a roof that’s in poor condition is more likely to have leaks and other issues. Learn how to fix a leaking skylight in our guide.

How often should skylights be replaced?

While the specific life expectancy will depend on the skylight, you can typically assume that it will last for between 10 and 30 years. To ensure that you get the longest lifespan out of your skylight, take good care of it and clean it regularly.

How long should it take to install a replacement window?

This will depend upon the window itself. However, standard windows can be replaced in around two hours, while a more complex window can take from one to two days.

How long does it take for professionals to install windows?

Professionals can typically install windows in one to two hours, for standard windows. It is not uncommon for skilled glaziers to install around five windows every day.

Is it worth replacing 20-year-old windows?

If you don’t have any apparent flaws on your windows, you may wonder whether it is worth replacing 20-year-old windows. The answer may be yes, depending on your budget: modern glass tends to be more efficient than older ones, so you may be able to reap the benefits of energy efficiency with newer windows.

Should I replace all windows at once?

Replacing your windows all at once may be cheaper than replacing them piecemeal – this is due to the fact that replacing all of your windows will allow you to make the most of energy efficiency. This can lighten the load on your wallet in terms of monthly bills.

How long does it take to replace a roof window?

Due to the more complex installation process, roof windows can take one or two days to install. The final installation time will depend on your roofing material, the type of roof window and more. Our experts will be happy to help you learn more about installation times for your property.

Replacing a Skylight: Complete Guide