What skylight installation Involves
Skylight installation is more than cutting a hole and dropping in a glass unit. It starts with locating the rafters and checking the roof deck for rot or sag — if the substrate is soft, no skylight will stay watertight. We use self-adhered ice and water shield around the rough opening, then set the skylight on a curb or directly on the deck, depending on the pitch. The flashing is the critical part: it has to interweave with the shingle courses above and lap over the field course below, so water runs off, not under. We use ring-shank nails for the flashing and hand-seal every exposed fastener with a compatible caulk. On a typical San Ramon home, the job takes one day, including tear-off of the old shingles around the opening and a clean re-flash.
Signs You Need skylight installation
You might need a new skylight if you see daylight around the frame, feel a draft near the ceiling, or notice water stains on the drywall below. Condensation between the glass panes means the seal has failed — that fogs the view and lets heat escape. If your skylight is older than 20 years, the flashing may be cracked or the glass may be single-pane, wasting energy. In San Ramon, where hot, dry summers bake roof materials and occasional heavy winter rainstorms test every seam, a failing skylight can seep water into the attic for months before you see a stain. If the wood around the opening has started to rot or decay, that's a sign the unit has been leaking for a while. Don't wait for the drip — a small gap now becomes a bigger repair later.
Our skylight installation Process
We start with a free inspection of your roof from the inside and out. We check the pitch, the decking, and the existing flashing. Then we measure the rough opening and order the exact unit — VELUX or Solatube — that fits your space and your light goals. On install day, we strip back the shingles around the opening, cut the decking cleanly, and frame the curb with pressure-treated lumber. We lay self-adhered underlayment over the entire area, then set the skylight. The flashing goes on in staggered courses, each piece overlapping the one below it. We fasten with ring-shank nails and seal every nail head. Finally, we re-shingle up to the flashing and check the interior for any light gaps. We clean up the job site, including a magnetic nail sweep, and walk you through the operation of any venting or solar blinds.
Cost Considerations in San Ramon
Skylight installation in San Ramon typically runs $1,200 to $3,500 per unit, installed. The range depends on the size, the type (fixed vs. vented), and whether you choose a solar-powered blind or a sun tunnel. A fixed skylight on a single-story roof with easy access is at the low end. A vented model with a motorized blind and a steep pitch pushes the price up. We give you a firm quote before we start, so there are no surprises. If you're replacing an existing skylight, the cost may be lower because the rough opening is already there — but if the decking has rot, that adds material and labor. We'll tell you exactly what we find, and we won't upsell you on a bigger unit than you need.
Warranty & Insurance
Most skylights we install carry a manufacturer's warranty — typically 10 years on the glass and 20 years on the flashing kit, depending on the brand. We register the warranty for you at installation, and we stand behind our workmanship with a one-year labor warranty. If a storm damages your skylight, your homeowner's insurance may cover the replacement. We'll document the damage with photos and provide a detailed estimate to help with your claim. We don't handle the paperwork, but we make it easy for your adjuster to see what's needed. For new installations, the warranty is peace of mind — you won't worry about leaks for years to come.
Why Choose San Ramon Roof Repair for skylight installation in San Ramon?
We're a local crew that works in Windemere, Canyon Lakes, Norris Canyon, and Country Club Estates. We know the Spanish-style stucco homes from the 1970s and the modern two-story tract homes built in the 2000s, and we know how their roofs behave in our foggy mornings and hot afternoons. We've seen what coastal moisture and heavy winter rain do to improperly flashed skylights, and we build ours to last. When you call us, you get a straight answer, a fair price, and a job done right.
Signs You Need Skylight Installation
Water Stains on Ceiling
If you see a brown ring on the drywall below your skylight, water is already wicking through the flashing. In San Ramon's winter rainstorms, a small leak can turn into a ceiling collapse.
Draft Around the Frame
Hold your hand near the skylight on a windy day. If you feel air moving, the seal has failed and the unit is no longer insulating your home. That's wasted energy and higher bills.
Condensation Between Panes
Fog inside the glass means the airtight seal is broken. Once moisture gets between the panes, the insulation value drops and the view is ruined. It's time to replace the unit.
Visible Daylight Around the Frame
If you can see light leaking in around the edges of the skylight, the flashing has pulled away. That's an open invitation for water to seep into your attic and rot the decking.
Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
Moisture from a slow leak can cause paint to peel and wallpaper to bubble, even if the stain hasn't appeared yet. That's a sign the leak has been active for a while.
SkyLight is Over 20 Years Old
Older skylights use single-pane glass and basic flashing that wasn't designed for today's weather extremes. If yours is from the 1990s, it's likely past its useful life.
What's Included
- ✓ Free inspection of your roof and attic space
- ✓ Photo damage report before any work begins
- ✓ Manufacturer warranty registration (VELUX, Solatube)
- ✓ Cleanup with magnetic nail sweep
- ✓ Dump fees included in your quote
- ✓ Permit pull for structural changes
- ✓ Final walkthrough and care instructions
Related Services
Ready to get started? Call us today at 9257239025 for a free estimate.
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