A skylight done right changes a room. More light, better air, and a home that feels bigger without adding a single square foot. TM Roofing installs VELUX skylights for Rhode Island homeowners, and we bring the same honest, no-pressure approach to skylights that we do to every roof we work on.
Rhode Island’s coastal climate, harsh winters, and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on roofing systems. They are equally hard on skylights. Seals degrade. Flashing cracks. Old glazing yellows and lets heat in during summer and cold air in during winter. When a skylight starts to fail in a Rhode Island home, it usually fails quietly until there is water on the ceiling. Getting ahead of that with a quality VELUX system is the right move.
TM Roofing installs the full VELUX product line including solar-powered fresh air skylights, fixed skylights, and sun tunnels. Every installation follows VELUX’s required process so your warranty is fully valid from day one.
Why US
A skylight sits in the roof, not on top of it. The flashing is what keeps water out at the joint between the skylight frame and the roofing material. When a new roof goes on, that flashing needs to be fully integrated with the new roofing system from the start. Keeping an old skylight in place during a roof replacement means working around existing flashing that is already aged and compromised. Installing a new skylight at the same time means the flashing is laid fresh, integrated properly, and built to last as long as the new roof beneath it.
The seals around a skylight degrade over time regardless of how the skylight looks from the inside. UV exposure, temperature cycling, and Rhode Island's coastal humidity all break down the gaskets and sealants that keep a skylight weathertight. If your roof is 15 to 20 years old, the skylight seals are the same age. Installing a new roof and leaving a 20-year-old skylight in place is the single most common reason homeowners call us about leaks six months after a roof replacement.
Replacing a skylight at the same time as a roof replacement saves money on labour. The crew is already on the roof, the area is already open, and the new roofing material is going in around the skylight anyway. Doing it separately later means a second mobilisation, cutting into a new roof, re-flashing the area, and patching the roofing material around the new unit. One visit is always less expensive than two.
A new roof comes with a manufacturer warranty. A new VELUX skylight comes with VELUX's 10-year no-leak installation warranty plus 20 years on the glass and 10 years on the product. When both are installed at the same time, the warranty periods run together. Leave an old skylight in a new roof and you have a covered roof next to an uncovered skylight. Any leak at the junction will sit in a grey area for both warranties.
This is something most homeowners do not know until we tell them. Every new VELUX Skylight System comes with a solar-powered, room-darkening shade already built in. Not an optional add-on. Included as standard.
The shade runs off a small solar panel on the exterior of the skylight that charges a concealed battery even on cloudy days. No wiring. No electrician. No extra installation step. It comes with a pre-programmed remote control so you can open and close the skylight and the shade independently from anywhere in the room.
VELUX solar-powered fresh air skylights also include a built-in rain sensor. If it starts raining while the skylight is open, it closes automatically. You do not need to remember to close it before a storm.
The practical difference is significant. A skylight with a room-darkening shade gives you control over light and heat. In summer you can block direct sun during the hottest part of the day and keep the room cool. At night you have full privacy. VELUX shades can improve the energy efficiency of your skylight by up to 40 percent compared to a skylight without one. And if you want to change the shade colour or style at any point, VELUX offers over 100 colours and patterns.
Pre-programmed remote control included. Open and close skylight and shade independently.
Opens and closes automatically using a small solar panel that charges a concealed battery. Includes a built-in rain sensor and comes with the integrated solar-powered room-darkening shade. Best for bedrooms, living rooms, and any space where you want light and ventilation without wiring. The most popular VELUX option TM Roofing installs.
Does not open. Brings natural light into the space consistently and quietly. Lower maintenance than venting models and ideal for high ceilings or rooms where ventilation is not the priority. Also comes with the standard integrated solar-powered shade. Best for hallways, dining rooms, and spaces where light is the goal.
Opens and closes using your home's electricity rather than solar power. Good for spaces with limited sunlight exposure where the solar panel would not charge efficiently. Requires an electrician for installation. Includes remote control and rain sensor.
For spaces that cannot take a traditional skylight because there is no direct roof access above. Sun tunnels capture daylight at the roof and channel it through a highly reflective tube into the room below. No structural changes to the ceiling required. Best for bathrooms, hallways, closets, and interior rooms. A significant improvement over any artificial lighting in those spaces.
Skylights do not usually fail all at once. They give you signals first. Here are the most common ones Rhode Island homeowners should watch for.
If you are seeing more than one of these on the same skylight, it is time to replace it. If your roof is also coming up for replacement, this is the right moment to do both in one visit. TM Roofing will assess your skylight as part of a free inspection and give you an honest recommendation.
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Not sure whether your skylight needs replacing? Not sure which VELUX model is right for your home? A free assessment is the place to start. TM Roofing will inspect your existing skylight and your roof, give you an honest picture of what is there, and walk you through every available option with clear pricing.
No obligation. No pressure. Just straight answers from a licensed Rhode Island roofer who installs VELUX skylights for a living.
Common Questions
In most cases, yes. If your roof is being fully replaced, replacing the skylight at the same time is strongly advisable. The reason comes down to how skylight flashing integrates with the roofing system. Skylights are waterproofed through a flashing kit that is layered in with the surrounding shingles during installation. When a roof is torn off and replaced, that flashing comes off with it. Reinstalling a new roof around an old skylight means installing new flashing around an aging skylight frame, which is a compromise that reduces the long-term waterproofing quality of the installation.
Skylights have a service life closely aligned with asphalt shingle roofs. Most skylight seals and frame materials are engineered for approximately 20 to 25 years of reliable performance. If your roof is at the end of its life, the skylight likely is too, even if it has not yet started leaking visibly. A skylight that looks fine during a re-roofing job but develops a leak two years later creates a difficult situation: the roof warranty is intact but the leak source is at the skylight, which is now surrounded by a new roof.
Replacing the skylight alongside the roof also reduces labor cost compared to replacing it separately later, since the crew is already set up and working in that area of the roof. TM Roofing installs VELUX skylights as part of roof replacement projects across Rhode Island. Call (401) 692-3667 to discuss your project.
VELUX is the world’s leading manufacturer of skylights and roof windows, with over 80 years of product development specifically focused on bringing natural light and ventilation into homes through the roof. TM Roofing uses VELUX products because they represent the highest quality and most thoroughly tested skylight option available to residential contractors, and because the VELUX flashing system is engineered to integrate specifically with standard roofing materials.
VELUX skylights are available in fixed and venting configurations. Fixed skylights allow natural light without ventilation. Venting skylights can be opened to allow air circulation, which is particularly valuable in kitchens, bathrooms, and stairwells where heat and humidity concentrate. Many VELUX venting models can be operated remotely and include rain sensors that automatically close the skylight when moisture is detected, which provides real-world practicality that makes the feature useful rather than a maintenance concern.
The quality distinction that matters most for Rhode Island homeowners is durability in a demanding climate. VELUX skylights are engineered for wind, rain, and temperature cycling that is consistent with New England conditions. The laminated glass options used in VELUX products provide both safety and energy performance, with multi-pane insulated glazing options that meet current energy code requirements for heated and cooled living spaces.
TM Roofing installs VELUX skylights across all of Rhode Island. We can help you select the right model size and configuration for your specific application. Call (401) 692-3667 to discuss your skylight project.
A new VELUX skylight installation from TM Roofing includes the skylight unit itself, the manufacturer-specific flashing kit designed for your roof type and pitch, and professional installation that integrates the skylight and flashing correctly into the surrounding roof system. Everything required to make the skylight weathertight is included in the installation.
VELUX skylights also include a factory-installed blind in many configurations, allowing you to control the amount of light entering the space below without a separate purchase. The blind options vary by model and can be manually operated or motorized depending on the unit selected. If you are choosing a venting model, the operating mechanism and any remote control or smart home compatibility features are included with the unit.
For most standard installations, VELUX also provides an installation warranty that covers the weathertight seal at the skylight location. This is separate from the product warranty on the skylight itself and is a meaningful protection given that skylight leaks, when they occur, almost always originate at the flashing interface rather than through the glass. Having a warranty specifically on the installation quality of that interface matters for long-term peace of mind.
TM Roofing will walk you through exactly what is included in your specific installation before the project begins so there are no surprises. If you want to add a specific blind color, a solar-powered venting upgrade, or any other option, we can discuss that during the estimate visit. Call (401) 692-3667 to schedule a free estimate for VELUX skylight installation anywhere in Rhode Island.
VELUX skylight installation in Rhode Island typically costs between $900 and $2,500 per skylight depending on the size, model type, whether the unit is fixed or venting, and the complexity of the installation on your specific roof. This range covers the skylight unit, the manufacturer-specific flashing kit, and professional installation labor.
The main cost factors are the size of the skylight opening (larger units cost more for the product and require more time to frame and flash correctly), whether the unit is fixed or venting (venting models with motorized operation or solar-powered mechanisms carry a higher product cost), and the accessibility and pitch of the roof section where the skylight will be installed.
Interior finishing work, including drywall work on the light shaft between the skylight and the ceiling below, is typically handled separately and is not included in the skylight installation price unless specifically discussed as part of the project scope. If you are combining a skylight installation with a full roof replacement, the combined project is generally more cost-effective than scheduling them separately because the setup and crew positioning costs are shared.
TM Roofing provides a written itemized estimate for every VELUX installation so you understand exactly what you are paying for before any work begins. We serve all of Rhode Island including Warwick, Providence, Cranston, Barrington, and surrounding communities. Call (401) 692-3667 to schedule a free estimate for your skylight project.
A standard single VELUX skylight installation on an existing roof typically takes one full working day for a TM Roofing crew. The work involves preparing the roof opening, framing the curb or structural opening if required, installing the skylight unit and its flashing system in correct sequence with the surrounding shingles, and verifying the installation is weathertight before the crew leaves.
If the skylight installation is being done as part of a full roof replacement, it is completed during the replacement project rather than as a separate visit, and does not significantly extend the overall project duration. The skylight installation is sequenced into the roofing work so the two projects integrate cleanly rather than creating two separate roof penetration events.
Interior light shaft work, if your home has a finished ceiling below the skylight location and requires a framed and drywalled light shaft to carry light from the roof plane down to the ceiling opening, is a separate scope of work typically handled by a carpenter or interior contractor. TM Roofing focuses on the roof-level installation. If you need help coordinating interior work, we can discuss that during the estimate visit.
Most homeowners find the installation process less disruptive than expected. The crew works on the exterior and the interior impact during installation is limited to the specific area being worked on. Call (401) 692-3667 to discuss your skylight project and get a timeline estimate specific to your home and roof configuration in Rhode Island.
Yes. VELUX skylights carry a manufacturer warranty covering both the product and the installation when installed by a trained installer. The standard VELUX warranty includes a 10-year installation warranty on the weathertight seal at the skylight, a 20-year warranty on the glass against seal failure and condensation between panes, and a 10-year product warranty on the frame, mechanism, and other components.
The installation warranty is particularly significant because it specifically covers the interface between the skylight and the roof, which is the most common location where skylight-related leaks originate. Having a warranty that covers not just the product but the quality of its integration into the roof system provides meaningful long-term protection that generic skylight brands typically do not offer.
TM Roofing also provides a workmanship warranty on the installation work we perform. This covers the roofing and flashing work surrounding the skylight and is in addition to the VELUX manufacturer warranty. The combination of the manufacturer warranty on the product and installation seal plus our workmanship warranty on the surrounding roofing work provides comprehensive coverage for the skylight installation.
All warranty terms are provided in writing before the project begins so you know exactly what is covered, for how long, and what the process is if a covered issue arises. If you are comparing skylight installation quotes from multiple contractors, asking each one to provide their warranty terms in writing is a reasonable and important step. Call (401) 692-3667 to discuss your VELUX project in Rhode Island.
VELUX skylights can be installed on most common residential roof types found in Rhode Island, including asphalt shingle roofs, metal roofs, and low-slope roofing systems within certain pitch parameters. The key variable is roof pitch, since skylight flashing systems are designed for specific pitch ranges and the installation method changes based on whether the roof falls into a standard pitch, low pitch, or flat roof category.
For asphalt shingle roofs in the standard pitch range of 3:12 to 12:12, VELUX skylights are straightforward to install using the standard flashing kit. This covers the majority of Rhode Island residential roofs. Steeper pitches above 12:12 and lower pitches below 3:12 require different flashing approaches, and VELUX offers appropriate kits for these applications as well.
Metal roofs require a different flashing system than shingle roofs, and the specific metal profile and panel system on your roof determines which VELUX flashing kit applies. Tile roofs similarly require a tile flashing kit rather than the standard shingle version. TM Roofing will assess your specific roof type and pitch during the estimate visit to confirm which installation approach is appropriate and what is included in the quoted scope.
The one roof type where standard skylight installation is not straightforward is completely flat roofs with no pitch at all, which require a curb-mounted approach rather than a deck-mounted installation. TM Roofing can assess your specific situation. Call (401) 692-3667 to schedule a free estimate for VELUX skylight installation on your Rhode Island home.
A sun tunnel is a compact skylight solution for spaces that cannot accommodate a traditional skylight because there is no direct roof access above the room. It captures daylight at the roof and channels it through a highly reflective tube into the room below. No structural ceiling changes are required. Sun tunnels are ideal for bathrooms, hallways, closets, and interior rooms where a standard skylight is not possible. TM Roofing will tell you which option fits your specific situation during a free assessment.
Yes. TM Roofing can replace an existing skylight with a new VELUX unit as a standalone project, without requiring a full roof replacement. The installation involves removing the existing skylight and its flashing, preparing the opening, and installing the new VELUX unit with the appropriate manufacturer flashing kit for your roof type and pitch.
The key consideration is the condition of the surrounding roof. If the shingles around the existing skylight are in good overall condition, a standalone skylight replacement is entirely practical. Our crew works carefully to preserve the surrounding shingles and leaves the roof in the same condition as before the installation. We also check the condition of the roof deck in the immediate area of the opening as part of the process and address any deck deterioration before installing the new unit.
If the shingles surrounding the skylight are already showing significant age or wear, we will discuss that with you during the estimate. The flashing system of a new VELUX integrates with the existing shingles, and if those shingles have limited useful life remaining, combining the skylight and roof replacement into a single project may be more cost-effective than scheduling them separately.
VELUX offers replacement configurations designed specifically for installations into existing deck-mounted or curb-mounted openings. TM Roofing will assess your existing skylight during a free estimate visit and confirm which VELUX replacement options are compatible with your opening and roof type. Call (401) 692-3667 to schedule your free estimate anywhere in Rhode Island.
A properly specified and installed VELUX skylight contributes to home energy performance in several meaningful ways, particularly in Rhode Island where the climate combines cold winters with warm, humid summers.
VELUX skylights use multi-pane insulated glazing with low-emissivity coatings that limit heat transfer through the glass in both directions. In winter, this reduces heat loss through the skylight to the cold exterior. In summer, it limits solar heat gain compared to older single-pane skylight glass. The energy performance of current VELUX glazing options meets or exceeds Rhode Island energy code requirements for residential roof windows in conditioned spaces.
Natural daylighting also reduces energy use by lowering the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours. A well-positioned skylight in a kitchen, living area, or hallway can meaningfully reduce daytime lighting load. VELUX solar-powered venting skylights offer an additional efficiency benefit by allowing hot air to escape from upper living spaces during summer using solar-harvested energy for the motorized operation, which can reduce air conditioning load in rooms that tend to overheat.
The net energy impact depends on skylight size, roof orientation, glazing selection, and the space it serves. South-facing skylights deliver more winter passive solar heat gain but also more summer heat load. North-facing skylights provide consistent diffuse natural light with lower heat variation across seasons. TM Roofing will discuss the best placement and glazing options for your specific home during a free estimate visit. Call (401) 692-3667 across Rhode Island.
