Are skylights notorious for leaking?

Skylights have historically earned a reputation for being prone to leaks, primarily due to improper installation, poor maintenance, or the natural degradation of sealing materials over time. Because a skylight interrupts the continuous, sloping plane of a roof, it creates an inherent vulnerability where rainwater and melting snow must be expertly diverted around the opening. If flashing pieces are installed incorrectly, or if organic debris like leaves and pine needles are allowed to accumulate and block the drainage channels, water will inevitably find a way inside. Additionally, older skylights featured rubber gaskets that hardened and cracked after years of sun exposure. However, modern skylights manufactured with high-quality engineering, integrated curb frames, and advanced flashing kits are vastly more reliable, meaning that leaks today are usually the result of neglect, severe storm damage, or faulty initial installation rather than an inherent flaw in the skylight itself.