Removing one of two skylights?

Julia Baurain
by Julia Baurain
We are getting our roof redone and the roofer wants to cover over one of the old skylights that leaks. I'm worried about how it will look inside to have one dark frame next to the remaining skylight. Do you think we should look for someone to drywall the ceiling to remove all trace of the other skylight? Or can we try stained glass in its place? Or something else?
Roofer wants to cover skylight on the right.
  15 answers
  • Nivasi Frankly-Speaks Nivasi Frankly-Speaks on May 27, 2017

    take them out, you won't miss them HONESTLY

  • Kay Lilland Kay Lilland on May 27, 2017

    Oh, I disagree. skylights will be missed. I would miss them. At least replace them with SolarTubes.

  • Pri23297985 Pri23297985 on May 27, 2017

    Home depot carries a stick on material that mimics stained glass and several other looks. Personally the older skylights always looked dirty so I wouldn't miss that at all but have you considered replacing it with a new skylight that doesn't leak and doesn't always look dirty? They make a great tube skylight if you just enjoy the extra light and those are wonderful additions and can even function as a solar power light. They are great and have been around for more than 20 years so the kinks are worked out by mow.

  • William William on May 27, 2017

    If you don't need the skylight have him remove it. It's easier for him to seal it than to fix the leak. He's just looking for an easy way out. If you want to save it he should be able to fix the leak. That is the job of a good roofer. If you do have it removed patching the hole is easy with a little framing, insulation, and drywall. You could hire someone to patch if you don't want to tackle the job.

    • Julia Baurain Julia Baurain on May 27, 2017

      The roofer did say that he's had people regret taking the skylights out. But he's still convinced that the risk of the new window leaking is worth losing the skylight. Because it's located so near to a corner, or some such thing (which you can see in this photo).

  • LINDAH LINDAH on May 27, 2017

    Personally I would replace both skylights. We had them in our former home and LOVED the extra light. If you enjoy them replace them with new ones. The new ones don't get that dirty look. But it's your home Your choice. Best wishes & a very enjoyable 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Memorial weekend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • To me, bad idea, fix the skylight. Do you have any idea how dark the inside of your house will be? The remaining one will throw the interior off, even if drywalled over. Either keep both, get rid of both and get a new roofer. Sorry, not meant to be harsh, I just know in my gut you will be dissappointed after all is said and done. It is your house, you decide what you want, not some lazy roofer.

  • Genie Genie on May 27, 2017

    I agree with William (above) that your roofer is trying to take the easy way out. Personally I would probably replace the skylight if you like having it there. They do deteriorate sometimes. I had that problem in a room which I ultimately demo-ed and replaced (a walled in covered porch that had been done poorly). I bought new skylights; I love natural light coming into my home.

    • Julia Baurain Julia Baurain on May 27, 2017

      I do like having both skylights, but if I have to choose I would rather have some overhead natural light than none. I'm just wondering how odd it will look to leave one in place and cover the other.

  • Mjf12691834 Mjf12691834 on May 27, 2017

    What state do you live in? If your winter is dark and dreary I would keep your skilights. I would first check with the manufacturer of your skilights and see if there is any type of warranty or if they can replace them for a fair cost. I live in Washington state and get SAD in the winter so every amount of natural light you can bring into your home is valuable. Check out your local home store and see all the new designs that you can replace the old ones with. You are the homeowner and you are the one that lives there so don't let a contactor make the decision for you. It's easier now to replace it then to cover it and regret it later. Good luck!

    • Julia Baurain Julia Baurain on May 27, 2017

      I live near Chicago, so it can get dreary in the colder months. Unfortunately we are not able to change roofers because we are getting a new roof due to hail damage and have signed a contract with a hail restoration company.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on May 27, 2017

    Listen to William. Sounds like roofer just doing a quick to make money. Have others come out because that's not the way to have it done. Now the only question is how will the one look on its own. That may not look correct. Think about it before you do anything,if you need the light then have the leaky one replaced. If you don't need the light then think about having both removed and the job being done by someone else not these roofers. I hope you haven't signed a contract.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dottie Hunt Dottie Hunt on May 27, 2017

      The contract is to replace both skylights so make him do it. It's your house!

  • Jennifer Jennifer on May 27, 2017

    99% of the time skylight leaks are due to the flashing not the skylight. Sounds like a lazy roofer.

  • Marcie Marcie on May 27, 2017

    I like the idea of replacing or repairing the existing skylight. There is no need to have to cover it up. And it would not look so nice covered.

  • William William on May 27, 2017

    Doesn't take much to reflash and seal a skylight. All he needs to do is remove the old flashing, seal around with a waterproof membrane, and install new flashing.. It doesn't matter where the leak is. Maybe he didn't include it in his roofing quote.. Seems like he's giving excuses. If you do want to keep it and he gives you the run around, hire another roofer.

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on May 27, 2017

    If you signed a contract to replace both skylights then if he doesn't do it, HE is breaking the contract. I agree with William as well. If you want the skylights then you should have them. As to your husband and "opening up the kitchen", we don't really know what that means as far as the skylights are concerned so if you think it will look odd then don't let it happen. You might have to call your insurance company to let them know the contractor wants to break the contract so you need someone else. If you have to keep this roofer, watch him like a hawk and have it inspected by a home inspection company before you sign a release. This is your house, not his! I also like the idea of looking into the newer skylights.

  • Carol Carol on May 27, 2017

    I would NOT cover up an existing skylight! Others have correctly stated that it is usually the flashing that is the problem. I once had a skylight that leaked during a downpour and I was up on the roof in the middle of the night in the middle of a storm, trying to stem the flow of water coming down into my upstairs hall. Being up there, I could see that the rain was so heavy that the water was being forced up to where the 'lid' met the 'rise' (can't think of the proper term right now). I installed a sort of dam, a few inches above the skylight, to partially deflect some of the water and that solved the problem from then on. Make that roofer FIX the leak!



  • Jenny Grotemeyer Jenny Grotemeyer on May 28, 2017

    Average life of a sylight is 20 years. Get it replaced, I am so glad I did. If your roofer is giving grief on it, maybe he is not the right company to do your job.