Skylight Installation

Bringing Daylight Into Every Room

A skylight transforms a dark attic, hallway, or bathroom by pouring natural light from above. Tubular skylights bring that same daylight into interior rooms where a traditional skylight cannot reach. The key to a skylight that performs for decades is not the glass — it is the flashing. A skylight installed with proper step flashing, counter flashing, and underlayment integration will never leak. One installed with caulk and hope will fail within a few seasons.

We install both traditional skylights and tubular daylighting devices on residential and light commercial buildings. Every installation follows the roof manufacturer’s flashing specs and the skylight manufacturer’s installation instructions — because the roof warranty depends on it.

Traditional Skylights vs. Tubular Skylights

Feature	Traditional skylight	Tubular skylight
Light output	Large area of direct light	Focused, diffused light
Size	14.5 x 16 to 46 x 46 inches	10 to 14 inch diameter tube
Best for	Large rooms, vaulted ceilings	Hallways, bathrooms, closets
Flashing complexity	High — must integrate with roofing	Moderate — single penetration
Cost installed	$800 – $2,500	$500 – $1,200
Energy impact	Can increase heat gain/loss	Minimal — small, insulated tube
Privacy	Requires frosted or blinds	Natural diffused light, no view in

Traditional skylights are the right choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens where you want maximum daylight and a view of the sky. Tubular skylights are ideal for interior rooms where a traditional skylight is not practical.

How We Install a Skylight

1. Placement — we locate the best position based on roof orientation, ceiling type, and room layout; south and west-facing skylights maximize light
2. Roof cut — we mark the opening on the roof, cut through the shingles and underlayment, and remove the section of decking
3. Framing — we frame the opening with headers and cripple studs to support the roof structure
4. Flashing installation — step flashing at the sides, header flashing at the top, sill flashing at the bottom; all integrated with the underlayment and roofing material
5. Skylight setting — the skylight unit is set into the opening, aligned, and secured to the framing
6. Interior finishing — we install the interior trim, shaft liner, and any blinds or shades
7. Sealant and roofing — final sealant at all flashing joints; shingles or roofing material installed up to and over the flashing flanges

Skylight Installation Costs

Component	Typical range
Fixed skylight (installed)	$800 – $1,800
Venting skylight (installed)	$1,200 – $2,500
Tubular skylight (installed)	$500 – $1,200
Replacement of existing skylight	$600 – $1,500
Skylight flashing kit	$100 – $300
Interior trim and shaft	$300 – $800
Motorized venting upgrade	$200 – $500

Most skylight installations are completed in a single day. We carry the most common sizes and flashing kits on our service trucks.

Skylight Energy Performance

Feature	Standard glass	Low-E glass	Low-E + argon
UV transmission	70%+	25 – 35%	20 – 30%
Solar heat gain (SHGC)	0.50+	0.25 – 0.35	0.20 – 0.30
U-factor (insulation)	0.50+	0.30 – 0.40	0.20 – 0.30
Best for	Budget installs	Most climates	Cold or hot extremes

If energy performance is a concern, choose a skylight with a low-E coating and argon gas fill. Combined with a cellular shade, the energy impact of a modern skylight is comparable to a same-sized section of well-insulated roof.

Common Skylight Problems

• Leaking around the flashing — the most common problem; caused by improper installation, failed sealant, or missing step flashing
• Condensation between panes — the insulated glass unit has failed and the desiccant is saturated; requires glass replacement
• UV fading — standard glass transmits UV that fades furniture and flooring; low-E glass reduces UV transmission
• Heat gain in summer — skylights on south and west exposures admit significant heat; shades and low-E glass help
• Heat loss in winter — skylights lose more heat than the surrounding roof; insulated glass and shades reduce heat loss
• Interior condensation — warm, moist room air contacts the cold skylight surface; controlled by ventilation, not the skylight

Most skylight leaks are repairable by re-flashing the unit without replacing the skylight itself.

Skylight Blinds and Shades

Controlling light and heat from a skylight is just as important as the installation. We install:

• Cellular shades — block up to 75% of solar heat gain; available in light-filtering and blackout fabrics
• Venetian blinds — adjustable slats for precise light control
• Flat roof roller shades — for low-slope applications where cellular shades are not practical
• Motorized options — remote-controlled or smart-home integrated for hard-to-reach skylights

Shades are not optional. Without them, a south-facing skylight can increase cooling costs by 25% or more in summer. With shades, the energy impact is minimal.

Maintaining Your Skylight

• Clean the glass annually from the ground or with a ladder (never walk on the roof to clean a skylight)
• Check flashing seals every two years — look for dried or cracked sealant
• Inspect the interior shaft for water stains after heavy rain
• Operate venting skylights regularly to keep the mechanism working
• Replace blinds or shades if they become discolored or damaged
• Schedule a professional inspection during any roof maintenance visit
• Clear debris from the skylight dome or glass surface — standing leaves trap moisture against the flashing

Skylight Placement Guidelines

Roof orientation	Light quality	Heat gain	Best room type
North	Cool, consistent	Low	Studios, offices, kitchens
South	Bright, warm	High	Living rooms, great rooms
East	Morning light	Moderate	Bedrooms, breakfast nooks
West	Afternoon light	High	Family rooms, dining areas

South-facing skylights produce the most light year-round. North-facing skylights provide consistent, even light with minimal heat gain. We recommend the orientation that matches your room’s function and your climate’s cooling needs.

Skylight Energy Performance

Feature	Older skylights	Modern low-E skylights
U-factor	0.50 – 0.80	0.25 – 0.40
SHGC	0.40 – 0.70	0.15 – 0.35
Argon fill	No	Yes
Frame material	Aluminum	Vinyl, fiberglass, wood
Annual energy impact	Noticeable heat gain/loss	Minimal — comparable to a well-insulated window

Modern skylights with low-E glass and argon gas fill are dramatically more efficient than units installed before 2000. Pairing a new skylight with a cellular shade gives you full control over light and heat year-round.

Want more natural light in your home? Call us or request a free estimate — we will recommend the right skylight or tubular option and install it with leak-proof flashing.