Leaking skylight? We repair and replace all brands — call (630) 555-7663
Skylight
Installation
& Repair
New skylight installation, leak repair, and full replacement for Naperville and DuPage County homes. A skylight is only as good as the flashing that surrounds it — and that flashing is only as good as the roofer who installs it. We do both right the first time.
Most Skylight Leaks Are a Flashing Problem — Not a Skylight Problem
A common misconception is that a leaking skylight means the skylight unit itself has failed. In the majority of cases — particularly in DuPage County's climate where freeze-thaw cycling stresses every rooftop penetration — the skylight glass and frame are perfectly intact. The failure is in the flashing system that seals the skylight to the surrounding roof deck.
Step flashing, counter flashing, and saddle flashing around a skylight curb must be integrated into the shingle system, not surface-applied with caulk or sealant. Caulk degrades within 3–7 years in the Illinois climate. Properly installed integrated step flashing — where each piece of metal is woven between shingle courses and lapped at the corners — lasts the life of the roof. That distinction determines whether your skylight leaks in year five or year thirty.
The most common cheap installation method. Surface-applied sealant fails within a few years — often well before any other part of the roof shows wear.
DuPage County's 100°F annual temperature swing stresses every rooftop penetration. Improperly detailed flashing corners crack open over repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Skylights interrupt the shingle plane and create natural dam points. Ice backup under the flashing is among the most common sources of winter interior water damage near skylights.
Insulated glass units develop seal failures after 15–25 years — visible as fogging or condensation between panes. This is a glass replacement problem, not a flashing problem, and is far less common than flashing failure.
Every Type of Skylight We Install
From fixed deck-mounted units to venting skylights with rain sensors to sun tunnels for interior rooms with no direct roof access — here's what's available and when each type makes sense.
Fixed Skylights
The most common and most straightforward skylight type. Fixed units are sealed, non-operable, and designed exclusively for light transmission — no ventilation. They're appropriate for any room where natural light is the goal and where opening the skylight isn't a priority. Lower installed cost, simpler flashing detail, and fewer mechanical failure points than venting units. Available in a wide range of glass sizes and glazing options including solar-control low-e and impact-resistant configurations.
- Simplest installation and lowest cost entry point
- No mechanical components to maintain or fail
- Available in flat glass and domed profiles
Manual Venting Skylights
Venting skylights open manually via a hand crank or pole operator, providing both light and fresh air ventilation. In bathrooms and kitchens where moisture management matters, a venting skylight can provide passive ventilation that supplements or replaces mechanical exhaust — particularly useful in interior bathrooms without exterior wall windows. Illinois building code requires operable windows in bedrooms; a venting skylight can satisfy egress requirements in some configurations depending on size and sill height.
- Crank or pole operation from below
- Passive ventilation for bathrooms and kitchens
- More affordable than solar-powered options
Solar & Electric Venting Skylights
Motorized venting skylights powered by an integrated solar panel (VELUX VSS/VSE) or hardwired electric motor open and close at the touch of a remote or smartphone app. VELUX solar-powered units include a rain sensor that automatically closes the skylight when precipitation is detected — critical for Illinois thunderstorm patterns where storms can arrive quickly while you're away from home. No wiring required for solar-powered versions; the integrated panel charges an onboard battery that operates the motor.
- Remote, app, or smart home control
- Rain sensor — auto-closes on precipitation
- Solar-powered — no electrical rough-in required
Tubular Daylighting Devices (Sun Tunnels)
A tubular daylighting device (TDD) — marketed as Sun Tunnel by VELUX and Solatube by Solatube International — is a small-diameter tube (10-inch or 14-inch) that captures sunlight at the roof dome and reflects it down a highly polished aluminum tube to a diffuser lens in the ceiling below. TDDs are the solution for rooms with no direct roof access: interior hallways, windowless bathrooms, and closets where full-size skylights would require complex or impossible shaft construction. Installation is typically a half-day project with minimal disruption.
- 10-inch and 14-inch diameter options
- Works in rooms without direct roof access
- No shaft construction required — half-day install
Curb-Mounted Skylights
Curb-mounted skylights sit on a raised wooden curb built on the roof deck rather than being set directly into the deck surface. This raised curb profile keeps the skylight above the shingle plane, reducing the risk of water infiltration at the base. Curb-mounted units are the standard for flat and low-slope roof applications, and are often used on steep-slope roofs as well where larger spans are required. They require slightly more flashing complexity than deck-mounted units but allow for larger glass areas and easier replacement access.
- Standard for flat and low-slope roofs
- Raised above roof plane — reduced base infiltration risk
- Accommodates larger glass spans than deck-mounted
Skylight Replacement & Reglazing
When an existing skylight unit has failed — fogged glass from seal failure, cracked or yellowed dome, broken frame — full unit replacement is often more cost-effective than repair, particularly on units over 15 years old. We remove the existing unit, inspect and repair the curb or deck opening as needed, and install a new unit with manufacturer flashing kit. Where only the glass has failed and the frame and flashing are sound, reglazing (glass replacement only) is the economical option and can typically be completed in a single visit.
- Full unit swap — frame, glass, and flashing refresh
- Reglazing available where frame and flashing are intact
- All brands — VELUX, Andersen, FAKRO, Bristol, generic
Get a Free Skylight Installation Estimate
Clean step flashing and manufacturer-spec installation — the difference between a skylight that lasts and one that leaks.
The global leader in skylights — and the brand whose integrated flashing kits are engineered to work correctly in the Illinois climate without improvisation.
The Flashing Kit Is the Reason We Specify VELUX
VELUX manufactures an integrated flashing kit — the EDL for standard installations and the ECL for complex curb applications — that is engineered specifically for each skylight model and each compatible shingle type. Every piece of metal is pre-formed to the correct angle, every overlap is specified, and the system installs without any field improvisation or caulk at the primary water plane.
Competing skylights sold at big-box retailers often lack this integrated system — installers are left to flash the unit using generic step flashing and surface sealant, which is where the 5-year leak originates. When we install VELUX with the correct flashing kit, we're providing a system that's engineered as a unit — not assembled from parts that don't belong together.
VELUX Certified Installer — we are certified to install VELUX products and issue the full VELUX installation warranty that covers both product and workmanship.
We repair all brands — if you have an existing Andersen, FAKRO, Bristol, or generic skylight that's leaking, we assess and repair it regardless of brand.
Coordinated with roofing — skylights installed or replaced during a full roof replacement are coordinated and priced together, ensuring the flashing integrates correctly with the new shingle system.
Choosing the Right Skylight Glass for Your Home
Glass selection affects energy performance, glare, UV protection, and condensation behavior. Here's what matters for a DuPage County home — and what to specify for each situation.
Low-emissivity coating reduces winter heat loss and limits UV transmission. The baseline specification for any skylight in an Illinois climate — not an upgrade, a minimum standard.
VELUX's premium low-e glazing with three coatings that simultaneously block solar heat gain in summer, retain interior heat in winter, and reduce visible glare. The recommended upgrade for south- and west-facing skylights where solar gain is the primary performance concern.
Two glass panes bonded with a PVB interlayer — the same construction as automotive windshields. If the glass breaks, it fractures into a held pattern rather than falling in shards. Required by Illinois code for skylights over living spaces in many configurations; we specify laminated glass on all installations as standard practice.
Reinforced laminated glass rated to withstand hail impact — tested to Florida Building Code standards, which exceed Illinois requirements. Not required in DuPage County but worth considering for Class 4 hail exposure areas or homeowners with insurance policies that reward impact-resistant roof components. Can qualify for the same insurance discount as impact-resistant shingles on some carriers.
Our Skylight Installation Process
From structural assessment through flashing integration to interior shaft finish — every step we take to install a skylight that won't leak.
Structural & Attic Assessment
Before any opening is cut, we assess the attic or roof cavity for rafter spacing, ceiling joist orientation, electrical runs, HVAC ducts, and existing insulation. New skylight installations require cutting between rafters or — for units wider than one rafter bay — installing a header and trimmer framing to carry the load around the opening. We identify all of this before pricing so there are no surprises during installation.
Roof Deck Opening & Curb Construction
The roof deck is opened to the specified size plus the curb frame allowance. For deck-mounted VELUX units, the opening size is precisely specified in the product installation manual — we follow it exactly. A pressure-treated curb frame is constructed from 2Ã6 lumber to the unit's required curb dimensions if curb-mounting is required. Interior protection (tarps, dust barriers) is installed before the roof deck is opened to prevent debris falling into the living space below.
Integrated Flashing System Installation
This is the step that determines whether the skylight leaks in five years or performs for thirty. VELUX's EDL flashing kit is installed in sequence with the surrounding shingles — not applied over them. Step flashing is woven between each shingle course on the side walls; a saddle at the head diverts water around the uphill corner; the apron at the bottom directs water onto the shingle surface below. No caulk at the primary water plane. Butyl tape seals the curb interface. Ice-and-water shield is applied under the flashing system on all four sides to provide secondary protection against ice dam backup.
Unit Setting & Weatherseal
The skylight unit is set into the flashed opening, fastened per manufacturer specification, and the perimeter weatherseal is applied. For venting units, we confirm correct operation of the opening mechanism and — for solar-powered VELUX units — verify the solar panel orientation for optimal sun exposure and confirm the rain sensor is positioned and functioning. The exterior is visually inspected and any debris from the opening process is cleared from the surrounding roof surface.
Interior Shaft & Trim Finish
For new installations, the interior light shaft — the framed cavity between the roof opening and the ceiling diffuser opening — is framed, insulated, drywalled, and painted as part of the project scope. Shaft geometry (straight, splayed, or angled) affects the light spread in the room and is discussed and decided at the estimate visit. We coordinate with the homeowner on paint color, install the interior trim collar where applicable, and leave the space move-in ready — no partially finished ceilings.
See What a New Skylight Could Do for Your Home
From VELUX solar-powered units to fixed skylights, we help you pick the right fit for your roofline and room.
"Every skylight leak we've ever fixed came down to the same thing: the flashing was done with caulk."
"When a homeowner calls us with a leaking skylight, 80% of the time we find the same thing — someone installed it with surface-applied caulk instead of the integrated step flashing system the manufacturer specifies. The caulk looks fine the first two winters and then fails. The fix isn't patching more caulk; it's removing shingles on both sides, installing the correct flashing, and reinstalling. That's what we do — once, correctly, with the right materials."
What Homeowners Say
"Had a VELUX skylight that leaked every winter for four years. Two roofers put caulk on it — it leaked again the next January. This team removed it completely, installed the proper step flashing kit, and put it back. That was two winters ago. Not a drop of water. Should have called them first."
"We had a new VELUX VSS solar venting skylight installed in our kitchen during our roof replacement. The whole project was coordinated together — new shingles, new skylight, new flashing. The rain sensor has already saved us twice when storms rolled in while we were at work. The light in that kitchen is completely transformed."
"We wanted to add light to a first-floor hallway that has a second floor above it — no direct roof access. They installed a VELUX Sun Tunnel in about four hours. No drywall damage, the tube bends through the space between floors, and the diffuser looks like a regular recessed light. The hallway feels like a completely different space."
Request a Skylight Estimate — Assessed & Priced On-Site
Whether you're adding a new skylight, replacing a failed unit, or trying to figure out why an existing one leaks — we start with a physical assessment before quoting anything. Roof deck condition, rafter layout, attic clearance, and shaft geometry all affect the scope and price, and none of that is visible from a phone call.
We check rafter spacing, identify utility conflicts, and assess existing flashing condition before writing any scope. No surprise additions after the contract is signed.
As a VELUX certified installer, we provide the full VELUX installation warranty covering both the product and our workmanship on new VELUX installations.
Skylights installed or replaced during a roof replacement are scoped and priced together. The flashing integrates with the new shingle system from day one.
Skylight FAQ
How much does skylight installation cost in Naperville?
New skylight installation in Naperville typically runs $1,200–$2,500 for a single standard VELUX fixed or manual venting unit including the integrated flashing kit, interior shaft framing, drywalling, and finish work. Solar-powered venting units (VELUX VSS) add $300–$600 to the unit cost. Sun Tunnel / tubular daylighting installations run $700–$1,200 for a single unit including the dome, tube, and ceiling diffuser. If a header is required to span multiple rafter bays, structural framing adds $300–$600 per skylight depending on span. Replacement of an existing unit with proper flashing — the most common repair scenario — runs $900–$1,800 depending on size and whether shaft work is needed. We price on-site after assessing the roof deck, attic, and ceiling conditions.
Why is my skylight leaking?
The vast majority of skylight leaks are flashing failures, not unit failures. Specifically: improperly installed step flashing (surface-applied over shingles rather than woven between them), failed sealant at the curb-to-frame joint, or missing saddle flashing at the uphill corner. These failures are almost always the result of the original installation using caulk and tape in place of the manufacturer's integrated flashing kit — a common shortcut that works for a few years and then fails. Less common causes include condensation mistaken for a leak (common on older single-pane units in cold weather), a failed insulated glass seal (visible as permanent fogging between panes), or ice dam backup at the eave in winter. We diagnose the actual cause before recommending a fix — the right repair depends entirely on where the water is actually entering.
Should I replace or repair a leaking skylight?
It depends on the age and condition of the unit. If the skylight is under 15 years old and the glass is clear — no fogging, no yellowing, no cracks — the unit is almost certainly fine and only the flashing needs to be corrected. We remove the shingles on both sides, install correct integrated step flashing, reseal the curb, and reinstall. If the unit is 20+ years old, has fogged glass, or has a cracked dome or frame, full replacement is almost always the better economic choice — you're paying for the labor of flashing correction either way, and a new unit gives you a fresh 10–20 year warranty and the performance of modern low-e glazing.
Can I add a skylight to any room?
For rooms directly below a sloped or flat roof section — master bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens with vaulted ceilings — a standard skylight is straightforward. For rooms with a second floor above them or without direct roof access, a full skylight is not possible, but a tubular daylighting device (Sun Tunnel) can thread through the space between floors and ceiling joists to deliver natural light to rooms that would otherwise never have it. We assess the specific room, ceiling structure, and roof geometry at the estimate visit and tell you what's feasible — including whether structural framing will be required to install between rafters.
Will a skylight increase my energy bills?
A properly specified skylight with modern low-e glazing has a U-Factor comparable to a high-quality window — and its solar heat gain in winter can actually offset heating load for south-facing installations. The concern about skylights and energy loss applies primarily to older units with single-pane or degraded glazing. VELUX LoE3-366® glass (our standard recommendation) has a U-Factor around 0.29–0.38, which meets or exceeds Illinois Energy Code requirements for skylights. The relevant caution is solar heat gain in summer: south- and west-facing skylights in rooms without air conditioning can increase cooling load. We discuss orientation, shading options, and blind integration at the estimate visit so you can make an informed choice about glass spec and any accessories.
Do I need a permit to install a skylight in Naperville?
In most DuPage County municipalities including Naperville, Lisle, Bolingbrook, and Wheaton, a building permit is required for new skylight installations and for skylight replacements where the opening size changes. Permit requirements for like-for-like replacements (same unit, same opening) vary by municipality. We determine the applicable permit requirement for your address at the estimate stage and include permitting in the project scope where required. We pull the permit — you don't need to manage that process. Some homeowners skip permits to save the fee; we don't recommend it, as unpermitted work can affect homeowners insurance claims and create complications at resale.
Related Services
Roof Replacement
Skylights installed or replaced during a full roof tear-off are coordinated and priced together — single mobilization, correct integrated flashing from day one.
Roof Repair
Skylight flashing failures and leak repairs are roof repairs — diagnosed and fixed by the same crew that handles all other roofing penetration issues.
Storm Damage Repair
Hail-cracked skylight domes and impact-damaged frames are documented as part of storm damage claims — often covered under the same wind/hail scope as the roof.
Roof Inspection
Skylight flashing condition is evaluated as part of every full roof inspection — particularly important for pre-purchase home inspections and post-storm assessments.