Don Logay
Built in 1987, my home is a single-level 2,000 square-foot residence located in Beverly Hills, Florida – on the Gulf coast – approximately 80 miles north of Tampa. Originally, it received a newly introduced Fungus- Resistant GAF shingles specifically designed for the wet and humid Florida market, and two VELUX ventilating skylights were added to the original plans – an electronically controlled 2x4 deck mount in the high vaulted ceiling of the kitchen and a matching manually controlled 2x2 unit in the master bath.
By 2015, 28-years had passed and a few small leaks near the edge of the roof indicated it was time to consider re-roofing – but they were minor and the project languished before replacement became an issue.
Then it happened. In the fall of 2015, Central Florida was deluged with record-breaking rains. Day after day, Tampa and all cities 100 miles north were drenched, sometimes receiving as much as six- to eight-inches of torrential rain in 24-hours. Days turned into weeks – and weeks stretched into months – with steady downpours and major flooding all throughout July, August and September. As a result, minor leaks took on a new life and local roofers’ phones were ringing off the hook. Reroofing also became a top priority for my home.
While the aging roof had sprung a number of leaks, after more than 28-years the flashing seal on the two original VELUX skylights remained watertight and good as new. Based on this outstanding past performance, I chose to again use VELUX skylights.
Working with VELUX regional sales representative, Tom Gaudette, we decided that the two original skylights would be replaced with new top-of-the-line VELUX VSS Deck Mount Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights with optional factory- installed Solar Powered Blackout blinds.
Arrangements were made with a local roofing company to re-roof the home as soon as weather permitted, but Mother Nature was in no hurry to cooperate.
Six more weeks of heavy rains had top-rated Batterbee Roofing of Oxford (near Ocala) backed-up and patiently waiting for a break in
the weather.
Then it happened. The rain suddenly stopped, the sun came out and the next morning at 8:30 am sharp, a virtual “fleet” of Batterbee Roofing trucks arrived and in minutes dozens of skilled crewmembers went to work removing the old shingles.
Gaudette was scheduled to be in the area at this time as well and stopped by to view the installation of the two new skylights. While Batterbee workers removed the old shingles and underlayment, Gaudette actually went up on the roof and directed the removal of the original old skylights and helped to ensure proper installation of the two new VELUX Solar Powered “Fresh Air” units.
The re-roofing started at 8:30 am and went to 7:30 pm. In eleven hours, start-to-finish, the entire project was completed, including also re-roofing a nearby 16x20 storage structure located on the rear of the property. In just one day, a leaky old roof was transformed into a neighborhood showpiece – with extreme curb appeal – and not a single trace of any debris or scraps was anywhere to be seen.
Inside, convenient, hand-held touch screen remote controls that open and close the Solar Powered ‘Fresh Air’ Skylights made it easy to adjust the blinds for desired light levels. The remote also makes it simple to open and close the skylights to bring in fresh air.
Outside, numerous carefree features included a special Neat® Glass coating that helps keep the skylights clean, LoE3 dual-pane glass that blocks damaging UV rays and a solar panel that charges a battery that powers the opening and closing of the skylight. Best of all for rainy Florida, an exterior rain sensor closes the skylights at the first drop of rain.
While the new shingles added a fresh look overall, the unquestioned highlight were the two new skylights. From the outside, they present a tailored focal point when closed – and when open, the commanding upscale ‘look’ of a quality home.
The VELUX skylights in my Florida home had outlasted the roofing, so when it came time to re-roof, I naturally decided to again choose VELUX for good reason. Not only do their new models have the same no-leak reliability, they have introduced a number of innovations that make them more energy efficient, easier to use and much more versatile.
I’ve written about the many benefits of skylights over the years, but I was truly impressed with the incredible appeal and day-to-day lifestyle benefits of these new VELUX Solar Powered Fresh Air units. They’re simply terrific.
When it comes time to reroof any home, skylights should always be a major consideration, whether to replace (leaking or not) or to add (for increased comfort and appearance). Today’s skylights are both beautiful and technologically outstanding with a long list of benefits that will enhance any home and any reroofing project. I speak from personal experience.
Don Logay has over 30-years experience as an award-winning journalist. He is the former editor-in-chief of three leading national magazines for the remodeling industry, and created the widely-quoted Cost versus Value study. His informative how-to tips for homeowners are heard daily on hundreds of radio stations nationwide. He also helped write Home Remodeling for Dummies and Home Maintenance for Dummies.