Skylight Installation

Natural light makes spaces better. It's that simple.

Bathrooms with skylights don't feel like caves. You can shower in daylight instead of under a buzzing fan light. Hallways with skylights don't need lights on during the day. That saves electricity and just feels better.

Kitchens get brighter. Living rooms feel bigger. Even closets become more functional with a small skylight. Plus natural light is good for you. Better mood, better sleep, all that stuff.

The catch is installation. A badly installed skylight will leak. We make sure that doesn't happen.

Fixed skylights don't open. They just let in light. These are the most common and the least expensive.

Vented skylights open to let in air. Good for bathrooms where you want ventilation. They cost more and have more parts that can fail.

Tubular skylights are small tubes that channel light from the roof down to a room. Great for small spaces like closets or interior bathrooms where a regular skylight won't fit.

We install all three types depending on what makes sense for your house.

This is the most important part of skylight installation.

The flashing system seals the skylight to your roof. It has multiple pieces that layer together to direct water around the skylight and down the roof.

We use the manufacturer's flashing kit designed for your specific skylight model and roof type. Generic flashing doesn't work as well. The flashing integrates with your roofing material. For shingles, the flashing pieces go under shingles on the uphill side and over shingles on the downhill side.

We also use ice and water shield around the entire opening. That's a rubberized membrane that creates a waterproof barrier even if the flashing somehow fails.

Every skylight we install has never leaked. That's because we obsess over the flashing details.

First we cut a hole in your roof. That sounds scary but it's straightforward if you know what you're doing.

We frame the opening with proper headers and supports. Can't just cut out rafters without reinforcing. Then we install the curb if it's a curb-mounted skylight. The curb has to be level and square.

We apply waterproofing membrane around the opening. Then we install the flashing kit piece by piece in the correct order. Finally we set the skylight and secure it. Then we integrate the flashing with your roofing material.

Inside, we frame and finish the light shaft from the ceiling up to the skylight. That gets insulated and drywalled to match your ceiling. The whole job usually takes one to two days depending on complexity.

Skylights can help or hurt energy efficiency depending on how they're used.

They reduce electric lighting needs during the day. That saves energy. But they can let in heat during summer or lose heat during winter. That costs energy.

The key is picking the right glazing and placement. Low-E glass, double-pane, and proper placement minimize heat issues while maximizing light. North-facing skylights are most energy efficient. They give steady light without much heat gain.

South and west-facing skylights need careful consideration. The light is great but the heat can be a problem. We help you balance light benefits against energy costs.

You can add skylights to almost any roof. But some situations are easier than others.

Simple gable roofs are straightforward. We cut in wherever makes sense structurally. Complex roofs with multiple valleys and hips are trickier. We have to work around structural elements and existing flashing.

Tile roofs require more care during installation. Can't just walk around on them without breaking tiles. Metal roofs are actually easy. The flashing integrates well with metal roofing. Flat roofs use curb-mounted skylights. They need more waterproofing attention than sloped roofs.

We evaluate your specific roof and tell you what's involved.

Skylight installation costs depend on size, type, roof complexity, and how much interior work is needed.

A basic fixed skylight with a simple light shaft might run a couple thousand dollars installed. Larger vented skylights with complex light shafts and electric operation cost more. Tubular skylights are cheaper, often under a thousand dollars installed.

Skylights add value to your home. Buyers like natural light. Hard to put a number on it but it helps with resale. More importantly, they make your house more enjoyable while you live there. That's worth something too.

If you're tired of dark rooms or you want to reduce electric lighting, skylights might be the answer.

RoofTop Company has installed hundreds of skylights on Central Coast homes. We know how to do it right so they brighten your home without leaking.

Call us for a consultation. We'll look at your house, discuss where skylights would work best, and give you a clear estimate. Then we'll install them properly so you get years of natural light without problems.

A well-installed skylight transforms a space. Let us show you what's possible.