Skylight Installation
Natural Light Without the Leaks

Bring the Outdoors In

Natural light changes everything about a room. A kitchen that felt cramped and dark becomes open and inviting. A hallway that needed lights at noon becomes bright from dawn to dusk. A bathroom transforms from utilitarian to spa-like. Skylights deliver more light per square foot than any window — and in the East Bay's 260+ sunny days per year, that light is available more often than almost anywhere in the country.

Skylight Types

Fixed Skylights — Non-opening units designed purely for light. Available in standard sizes from 2x2 to 4x4 feet, plus custom sizes. Tempered or laminated glass with low-E coating. The simplest, most affordable, and most leak-resistant option. Ideal for rooms where ventilation isn't needed — living rooms, hallways, stairwells.

Vented Skylights — Open to allow hot air to escape from the top of the room. Available in manual (pole-operated for reachable installations) and electric/solar-powered (remote control with rain sensor). Solar-powered models qualify for the 30% federal tax credit. Best for kitchens, bathrooms, and any room where heat buildup or moisture needs to vent.

Tubular Skylights (Sun Tunnels) — A 10-14 inch diameter reflective tube that channels sunlight from a small roof dome down through the attic to a ceiling diffuser. No structural modification needed — fits between existing rafters. Installs in half a day. Delivers surprising brightness to small rooms, closets, bathrooms, and hallways where a traditional skylight won't fit.

Custom Skylights — Large-format units, ganged arrays (multiple skylights side by side), ridge skylights, and specialty shapes for unique architectural applications. Engineered to order with structural calculations for the opening size and glazing weight.

Our Installation Process

1. Consultation — We visit your home, assess the roof structure from below (attic access) and above, discuss your goals, and recommend the right skylight type, size, and placement for maximum light without excessive heat gain.

2. Roof Opening — The opening is cut from inside, through the ceiling and roof deck. Rafters that need cutting are properly headed off with doubled lumber and structural connectors. Ice and water shield membrane is installed around the entire opening perimeter.

3. Curb & Flashing — A pressure-treated wood curb raises the skylight above the roof surface (curb-mount) or the skylight sits directly on the deck (deck-mount, for shingle roofs). The manufacturer's flashing kit integrates with your roofing material — step flashing along the sides, apron flashing at the base, saddle flashing (cricket) at the top to divert water.

4. Skylight Setting — The unit is set onto the curb or deck mount, secured, and sealed. Glazing is factory-sealed — we never remove or handle the glass in the field. Cladding (aluminum exterior frame) is color-matched to your roof or trim.

5. Interior Finishing — The light shaft from roof to ceiling is framed, insulated, and drywalled. We can angle the shaft walls to spread light (splayed shaft) or keep them vertical for a focused beam. Painting and trim are coordinated with your interior finishes.

Best Time to Install a Skylight

The most cost-effective time is during a roof replacement — the flashing work integrates seamlessly with the new roofing, and there's no risk of disturbing existing shingles. But standalone skylight installations work any time of year in the East Bay's mild climate. Spring and fall are ideal — comfortable working conditions and predictable dry weather windows.