Skylight installation is a precision job. It involves cutting through your roof deck, building a curb, setting the skylight, and flashing it so water runs around it, not under it. On a Marin County home, that means accounting for foggy mornings, heavy winter rains, and hot, dry summers with wildfire risk. We've installed skylights in Ignacio, Black Point, Bel Marin Keys, Hamilton, and Pacheco Valle — each one sealed against the Pacific storms that roll in over Mount Burdell.
How Skylight Installation Works on Your Novato Roof
Skylight installation starts with locating the rafters and checking your roof's pitch and decking condition. We cut the opening, then build a curb with self-adhered ice and water shield around the entire perimeter. The skylight unit gets set in place, and we flash it with step flashing and a counter-flashing pan. The field course of shingles is then relayed up to the skylight, and the starter course is hand-sealed at every lap. We use ring-shank nails for the flashing — they hold in wind-driven rain. The whole job takes one to two days, depending on whether we're working from the inside or need to access a steep roofline from the outside.
You'll want to know what happens if we find rot or decay under the old flashing. We stop, show you the damage, and quote the repair before proceeding. Water can wick along the decking and seep into your attic for months before you notice a stain. We've seen granule loss on shingles near a skylight that looked fine from the street but were end-of-life wear. That job taught us to always check the decking before quoting a skylight install — it's a 20-minute inspection that saves you from a surprise mid-project.
When You Need Skylight Installation
Skylight installation is the right call when a room feels dark, your hallway has no natural light, or you're already re-roofing and want to add light without a second tear-off. It's also a smart upgrade if you want to cut daytime lighting costs — a well-placed skylight can reduce the need for electric lights in a living room or kitchen. But it's not the right choice if your roof has widespread sag or the decking is rotted beyond a small repair. In that case, we'll tell you to fix the roof first. We're honest about that because a skylight installed on a failing roof will leak, and we don't want that call at 2 a.m.
Skylight installation also makes sense when you're tired of a dark stairwell or a bathroom that feels like a cave. We install fixed, venting, and tubular skylights, each with different benefits. A venting skylight opens to let hot air escape on those 90-degree summer days. A tubular skylight fits in a tight space and brings light down a reflective tube. We'll walk you through the options and recommend what fits your roofline and budget.
What Skylight Installation Costs in Novato
Skylight installation costs between $1,200 and $3,500 per unit, depending on the size, type, and whether your roof needs structural work. A fixed skylight on a simple gable roof runs on the lower end. A venting model with a remote control and a curb that needs rebuilding pushes toward the higher end. If we have to repair decking or replace flashing that's corroded, add $300 to $800. We give you a free estimate before any work begins, and we don't pad the price with hidden fees. The quote includes the skylight, labor, flashing, and cleanup.
How do you choose the right skylight installer? Look for someone who's done this in Marin County, not just anywhere. Ask about their flashing method — a self-adhered underlayment and step flashing is the gold standard. Ask how they handle the curb and whether they use ring-shank nails. And ask what happens if it leaks in two years. We back our skylight installation with a workmanship warranty, and we're happy to show you photos of recent jobs in Black Point and Bel Marin Keys. We've been serving Novato since 2005, and we've seen what the fog and rain do to cheap flashing. That's why we don't use it.
How Long Does a Skylight Installation Take?
A typical skylight installation takes one to two days. Day one is the tear-off of shingles around the opening, cutting the deck, and building the curb. Day two is flashing, setting the unit, and re-roofing the field course. If we're adding a skylight to a tile or metal roof, add a day for the special flashing.
Do You Need a Permit for a Skylight in Novato?
Yes, most skylight installations in Novato require a building permit. We handle the permit process for you — pulling it, scheduling the inspection, and making sure the work passes. That's part of our service, not an upsell.
Will a Skylight Leak?
Any roof penetration can leak if it's flashed wrong. A skylight installed with self-adhered underlayment, step flashing, and a proper counter-flashing pan will stay dry through our heaviest winter storms. We've installed skylights that have gone through 15 years of Pacific rains without a single drip. The key is the flashing detail, not the skylight itself.
