Metal roofing is a good solid option for most homes here in the Minneapolis area and the rest of Minnesota, but it can be a bit more difficult deciding whether you should install a skylight into that same roofing. That’s because skylights come with a  set of issues that you have to think about along with your roofing. Before you opt for a skylight on your home, make sure that you consider what having one will be like.

Considerations for Installing Skylights on Metal Roofing

  • Rain Noise – While occasionally there is some added noise during heavy rain showers with a metal roof, that noise is usually much more prominent on a skylight. Depending on the skylight that you decide on, you might have more noise than you bargained for.
  • Curb Mount – A skylight can’t be flush mounted on a metal roof and flashed properly. Instead it must be curb mounted. Make sure that anyone doing the work does the job properly or you could be in for some leaks.
  • Flashing is Vital – Sealants are used during the flashing process of a skylight installation, but those sealants will only go so far if the flashing isn’t installed properly. The flashing material itself - not the sealant - should be holding out the water, ice and snow.
  • Avoid Attic Chases – Skylights that are designed with chases into the attic can lead to a whole series of problems. They can cause a buildup of condensation to develop, and those chases can lead to mold development or ice dams up on the roof.
  • Update Skylights – The last thing, and probably most important thing, to consider, is the age of any existing skylights on your home. When having metal roofing installed on your home, make sure that any skylights installed in that roofing are relatively new. Most skylights won’t last more than 20 years, and it’s common for them to wear out at 15 years. Make sure that you aren’t putting new metal roofing over a worn out-skylight, or you’ll have to take the roof back apart to reinstall a new skylight much too soon. Do yourself a favor and replace it all at once.  In fact, it's a good idea to have your roofing contractor coordinate the skylight installation so the proper prep work and flashing can be done.
Have you got a metal roof or are you considering having one installed?  Speak with us here at Quarve about the vision of a skylight that you have and we can help you make it happen. Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota home remodeling contractor.  Among other services, we install metal roofing in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area.