What is a skylight that does not open called, and is it a good choice?
Fixed skylight pros
- Fewer leak paths: the glass is sealed into the frame, with no operable sash or weatherstripping to wear out.
- Lower cost: no hinges, cranks, motors, wiring or rain sensors.
- Less upkeep: nothing to adjust beyond the glass seal and the flashing.
- More choices: the widest range of sizes and shapes.
Fixed skylight cons
- No ventilation: in a Georgia summer, hot air collects at the top of a vaulted ceiling, and a venting skylight could let it out.
- Condensation: in humid rooms, warm moist air can condense on the glass with nowhere to go.
- Cleaning: the outside can only be cleaned from the roof.
Can a fixed skylight be made to open?
No. It has to be replaced with a venting model, which is also a good time to reflash it. If you are replacing the roof, that is the cheapest time to switch, because the area around the skylight is already opened up.
Not the same as a stuck venting skylight
If your skylight used to open and no longer does, it is a venting unit with a problem: a failed motor, a dead remote or rain sensor battery, a stripped crank, or a sash painted shut. That is a skylight service call more than roofing, though an older venting unit with failing parts often makes sense to replace at the next reroof.
The glass matters more than the opening
For Georgia heat, look for low-e insulated glass. Quality residential units typically pair a tempered outer pane with a laminated inner pane, which handles hail better and keeps broken glass from falling into the room. See replacing skylights with a new roof and attic heat and shingles.