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UpkeepSkylightsLicensed pro

How long does a skylight last?

VELUX says its skylights last about 20 to 30 years with normal wear and recommends updating after about 30. In practice the flashing, the glass seal and the roof around the skylight decide the number. Controlled indoor humidity, clear gutters and a flashing check whenever the roof is inspected help a skylight reach the long end of that range.

Free to ask. Local shops send quotes, and you pay only when you book one.

By Kasra Taheri, Founder, LoclisPublished

Researched and drafted with AI, then checked claim by claim against the sources listed below before it was published. Prices and rules change; the dates beside each source say when it was last checked.

This is a job for a licensed pro in Virginia

This page explains what the work involves, the permits, what a licensed pro does and what drives the cost. It does not give step-by-step instructions, because this work needs a licence, a permit or both, and doing it wrong can injure someone. Before you hire, check the licence on Virginia's DPOR record.

A well-installed skylight usually lasts two decades or more. VELUX says its skylights can last 20 to 30 years with normal wear,[1] and recommends updating after about 30 years so the skylight stays code-compliant.[1] Treat both figures as guidelines: weather, roof pitch and the quality of the original flashing all move the real number.

The warranty is another useful yardstick for what a maker expects of each part. VELUX Skylight Systems carry a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on product, and 5 years on shades and controls.[3]

What wears out, and in what order

Flashing. The metal and membrane that tie the skylight into the roof take the most weather. A Forest Service roofing guide warns: "Without good tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall/roof junctions, water can leak into buildings and damage walls, ceilings, insulation, and even the electrical system."[5]

The glass seal. Double-glazed skylights rely on a sealed edge to keep the space between the panes dry. When it goes, the result is "seal failure, which can result in window fogging and a loss of any low-conductivity gas-fill."[6] The skylight still keeps rain out, but it insulates worse and looks permanently hazy.

Domes, frames and moving parts. For old dome or bubble skylights, VELUX lists the end-of-life signs as discoloration from sunlight exposure, mildew stains from moisture buildup, leaks, or condensation around the panes.[1] On venting skylights, the shades and controls are the parts with the shortest warranty.

A roof window in a sloped wood-paneled attic ceiling, framed by a white-painted light shaft, looking out over a metal roof and a garden
Photo: WorkerDi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Care that adds years

Most of what extends a skylight's life happens from the floor, the gutters and the thermostat, not on the roof.

  • Leave the outside to a window cleaner. VELUX notes most window-cleaning companies can clean skylights with telescoping brushes and squeegees without getting on the roof.[1] Ask them to look for leaves or needles piled against the upper side of the skylight: VELUX notes debris around the flashing should be cleared so rainwater keeps flowing freely around the skylight.[1]
  • Keep the drainage open. Keep gutters and roof areas clear so melting snow and ice can drain away from skylights in winter.[2] See how often to clean gutters.
  • Control indoor moisture. For condensation, VELUX advises you ventilate 3 to 4 times daily, keep indoor temperatures above 68°F, and reduce humidity.[2] More in why a skylight gets condensation.
  • Have the flashing checked with the roof. The Forest Service guide recommends flashings be checked twice a year when the roof is inspected and the gutters are cleaned.[5] A roofer can do this during a routine roof check; see how often a roof should be inspected.

If you are buying a house, the home inspection covers it. Virginia's rules for licensed home inspectors list skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations[7] among the roof components the inspector must inspect and describe in writing, as far as they are readily accessible.

Repair, glass replacement or a new skylight

A single problem does not always mean a new skylight. Replacement glass is available for most VELUX skylight models,[4] though for Fresh Air Skylights manufactured after April 1996, the whole operating sash must be replaced with the glass.[4] Storm damage can be a warranty matter too: VELUX says hail damage is covered on skylights with laminated glass.[3]

For a warranty claim, VELUX says to start with the builder or installer, who should inspect the skylight and check that it was installed to the instructions.[3] Meanwhile, keep water off floors and furniture. The VELUX warranty states, "It is the responsibility of the end user to mitigate and minimize water damage"[3] while a claim is sorted out.

When the skylight is near the end of its range and the roof is too, do them together. VELUX's own advice is that "The best time to replace old skylights is when you reroof your home"[1] because the flashing comes off anyway. See should you replace a skylight with a new roof and what a skylight costs in Virginia.

When to call a licensed pro

Call a roofer or skylight installer for anything on the roof side: leaks during rain or snowmelt, damaged or lifted flashing, cracked or fogged glass, a stuck venting sash, or a skylight that has reached its third decade. Each of those means working on a pitched roof around a large opening, which is not a homeowner job.

Work valued at $1,000 or more needs a valid Virginia contractor's licence in the category the contractor is working in.[8] Check any contractor using DPOR's License Lookup or by calling (804) 367-8511,[9] or follow how to check a contractor's licence. Browse more exterior answers, or see Loclis's licensed skylight installers and exterior contractors in Blacksburg, each listed with its DPOR licence number and class.

When you are ready, describe your skylight repair once and licensed local contractors send quotes or offer an estimate visit.

Common questions

What usually fails first on a skylight?
Leaks most often trace to the flashing; a Forest Service roofing guide notes that many apparent roof leaks are really flashing leaks. On double-glazed units the insulating glass seal can also fail, which shows up as fog between the panes. On venting models, motors, shades and controls carry shorter warranties than the glass.
Can I just replace the glass instead of the whole skylight?
Sometimes. Replacement glass is available for most VELUX models, though on its Fresh Air venting skylights made after April 1996 the whole opening sash is replaced with the glass. Older or discontinued skylights from other makers may not have parts, which is when full replacement makes sense.
How often should a skylight be inspected?
A useful rhythm is to have the flashing looked at whenever the roof is inspected and the gutters are cleaned; a Forest Service roofing guide suggests twice a year. From inside, check the glass and light shaft for stains, fog or peeling paint after heavy rain and in cold weather.
Should I replace a working 25-year-old skylight?
Not necessarily on its own, but plan for it. VELUX recommends updating after about 30 years and says the best time is when you reroof, since the flashing comes off then anyway. If your roof is due within a few years, replacing the skylight then is usually the cheaper route.
Does a home inspection cover the skylight?
Yes. Virginia's rules for licensed home inspectors list skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations among the roof items the inspector must inspect and describe in writing, as far as they are readily accessible. A buyer's inspection report is a good snapshot of a skylight's condition.

Sources

  1. [1] Skylight FAQs, VELUX America LLC. Checked October 26, 2026.
  2. [2] Installation Process, VELUX America LLC. Checked October 26, 2026.
  3. [3] Skylight Warranty, VELUX America LLC. Checked October 26, 2026.
  4. [4] Replacement Skylights, VELUX America LLC. Checked October 26, 2026.
  5. [5] Roof Maintenance and Repair, USDA Forest Service, Technology and Development Program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  6. [6] The Virginia Energy Savers Handbook, Virginia Tech, Virginia Center for Energy and the Environment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  7. [7] 18VAC15-40-130, Home inspection report, Virginia Administrative Code, Legislative Information System. Checked October 26, 2026.
  8. [8] What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor, Virginia Board for Contractors, DPOR. Checked October 26, 2026.
  9. [9] Disaster Recovery: Avoiding Fraud, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Checked October 26, 2026.

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