Skylight Installation - A Roofing Job, Not a Window Job
A skylight isn’t just a fixture — it’s a penetration through your roofing system, and every penetration is a potential leak point if it isn’t flashed, sealed, and integrated correctly with the surrounding roofing material. This is why skylight installation belongs with a roofing contractor, not a general handyman: getting the fixture right is easy, getting the roof around it right is what prevents callbacks two winters later.
CTR Roofing installs new skylights and replaces failed or leaking units, with the same attention to flashing and underlayment integration we apply to every roof penetration — chimneys, vents, and skylights alike.
A skylight is the single most common source of roof leaks when it’s not flashed correctly. We install and reseal to prevent that — not patch it after the fact.
What Actually Determines Whether a Skylight Leaks
Five details decide whether a skylight stays dry for twenty years or starts leaking after two winters. None of them are about the skylight itself.
- Flashing integration — The skylight's flashing kit has to be woven into the surrounding shingle or membrane courses correctly, not just caulked on top. This is the single most common point of failure we see on skylights installed by non-roofing contractors.
- Roof compatibility — Skylight installation details differ between asphalt shingle, tile, and flat/low-slope roofs. What works on one roof type can fail on another if the installer doesn't adjust for it.
- Curb height and slope — On low-slope roofs, insufficient curb height is a common cause of water pooling against the skylight base.
- Interior framing — Cutting into rafters or trusses for a skylight opening may require structural reinforcement, particularly for larger units.
- Sealant lifespan — Even a correctly installed skylight needs its sealant inspected periodically. Most skylight leaks on older installations trace back to degraded sealant, not a design flaw.
Why Homeowners Add Skylights
- Natural light where a window can't go — Interior hallways, bathrooms, and stairwells with no exterior wall are the most common candidates.
- Lower daytime lighting costs — A single well-placed unit can eliminate the need for artificial light in a room through most of the day.
- Ventilation options — Venting models release the heat that collects at ceiling level, which matters in Nevada summers.
- Perceived space — Overhead light makes small rooms read larger without changing the floor plan.
- Sealant lifespan — Even a correctly installed skylight needs its sealant inspected periodically. Most skylight leaks on older installations trace back to degraded sealant, not a design flaw.
Our Premises
Licensed and insured commercial roofing contractor headquartered in Sparks, NV, serving properties across Nevada.
