New Velux Skylights Replace Bubble Domes in Buffalo Grove

Earlier this spring, we were called out to a Buffalo Grove residence to inspect two skylights (shown below and on the left) the home owner wanted replaced. These were the older type plastic bubble dome skylights over the living/dining/family room. They were probably installed over 30 years ago when the house was first built.

These plastic skylights were known to leak over time. Water was easily able to seep through the flashings on these skylights leading to periodic clean ups as well as large repair bills.

Not only did we find evidence of caulking around the old flashing (perhaps needed to fix a leak at one time), one of the skylights was actually cracked and patched with duct tape. There was ample evidence of condensation as well. Further damage from leaks would have been extensive since there were wooden floors in the area.

We proposed, and later installed, two replacement deck mounted fixed skylights from Velux. We recommended both Low-E3 glass as well as Neat® glass, which was acceptable to the homeowner.

Low-E3 glass is filled with argon gas to maximum energy efficiency. The Neat® glass is touted by Velux to be (self) clean (less time spent on maintenance), quiet (noise reducing) and safe (10 year product and installation warranty and 20 year glass warranty).

These types of skylights are installed directly to the roof deck (or surface of the roof) as versus a curb mounted skylight. With the latter a frame, typically made of wood, or ‘curb’ has to be built on the roof to support the skylight.

The rooms below were protected from debris, including plastic placed over the wood floors. We removed the old skylights, vent caps, the asphalt shingles and ridge vent shingles. The new skylights were installed, along with ice and water shield, new flashing and vent caps. We attempted to match as closely as possible with the new replacement asphalt shingles and ridge vent shingles to aoid an entire new roof job.

One challenge remaining is the finish work which includes installation of a moulding inside the house. Deck mounted skylights sizes are limited and do not always fit exactly into the holes left by the previous skylights. So some finishing trim work needs to be done. The homeowner can easily install with parts from a home improvement or hardware store.

Contact GroupXL for your residential or commercial roofing projects at 224.400.9500 or complete our Contact form.