What Skylight Installation Involves
A skylight installation isn't just cutting a hole in your roof—it's a precision assembly of flashing, curbs, glazing, and insulation. We work primarily with VELUX fixed and vented skylights, plus Solatube tubular daylighting devices for tight spaces like hallways or bathrooms. Fixed skylights are the most economical choice, starting around $800 installed for a 22x46-inch unit, while vented models—which open via a manual crank or motorized remote—run $1,200 to $2,500 depending on size and solar-blind integration. For rooms with zero daylight, a 10-inch Solatube sun tunnel delivers 300 square feet of natural light coverage for roughly $600 to $900 installed. Every installation includes a custom-built curb (the raised frame that sits above the shingles), continuous flashing that integrates with your existing roof material, and low-E argon-filled glass to minimize heat gain in our Florida summers.
Signs You Need Skylight Installation
You might need a new skylight if your current unit is leaking, fogging between panes, or simply letting in more heat than light. In Orlando's intense afternoon thunderstorms from May to October, old skylights with failed gaskets are a common source of attic moisture stains. Other signs: daylight visible around the skylight frame inside your home, cracked or missing sealant on the exterior flashing, or a vented skylight that won't open or close properly. If your home was built in the 1980s or earlier, the original skylight likely has single-pane glass and no low-E coating—costing you in energy bills and UV damage to furniture. A new installation solves all of that.
Our Skylight Installation Process
Step 1: Interior and Exterior Assessment — We measure your ceiling joist spacing, roof pitch (common in Orlando: 4/12 to 7/12), and check for ductwork or wiring in the path. We also inspect the surrounding shingles for age and brittleness.
Step 2: Curb and Flashing Fabrication — We build a pressure-treated wood curb on-site, sized to your skylight model. The curb is flashed with a continuous aluminum pan that extends under the shingles above and over the shingles below—no step flashing, no leak points.
Step 3: Opening and Framing — We cut the roof deck from above, install double headers and trimmers to carry the load, then set the curb in a bed of roofing cement. For vented skylights, we also run low-voltage wiring for the motor and optional solar-powered blinds.
Step 4: Glazing and Insulation — The skylight unit is set into the curb, leveled, and secured with stainless steel screws. We pack the gap between curb and deck with closed-cell foam insulation, then seal all joints with a UV-resistant polyurethane sealant.
Step 5: Interior Finish and Trim — We install the drywall return (or prefabricated light shaft for Solatube units), mud and tape the seams, then paint to match your ceiling. For VELUX models, we attach the included flashing kit and test the unit for operation and seal.
Step 6: Final Water Test and Cleanup — We simulate a heavy rain with a hose, running water over the skylight from every angle while you watch the interior for any drip. We then clean all debris, sweep the roof with a magnetic nail sweeper, and remove all packaging.
Cost Considerations in Orlando
For a standard residential skylight installation in Orlando, expect to pay between $800 and $2,500 per unit installed. That range covers a fixed VELUX unit on a basic asphalt shingle roof with no drywall work. Add $200 to $500 if you need a Solatube sun tunnel, and $300 to $800 more for a vented model with a motorized operator. If your roof is tile—common in our 2000s Mediterranean-style villas—the cost jumps $400 to $700 per skylight because we must remove and reset tiles individually, replacing any broken ones. Solar-powered blinds add $250 to $450 per unit. We provide a firm, line-item quote before any work begins, and we never charge for the initial inspection.
Warranty & Insurance
Every skylight we install carries the manufacturer's warranty: VELUX offers a 10-year limited warranty on the glazing and a 5-year warranty on mechanical components; Solatube provides a 10-year warranty on the dome and tubing. We back our labor with a 2-year workmanship warranty covering any leak or seal failure directly caused by our installation. Orlando Top Roofers is fully licensed (CCC1331450) and insured with $2 million in general liability and $1 million in workers' comp. If your skylight replacement is part of a storm damage claim, we'll document the damage and work directly with your insurance adjuster to ensure the new unit is covered.
Why Choose Orlando Top Roofers for Skylight Installation in Orlando?
We've been installing skylights in Orlando since 2004—through the 2013 Central Florida hailstorm that damaged thousands of roofs, through countless afternoon thunderstorms that test every flashing joint, and across every major Orlando neighborhood from College Park to Dr. Phillips. Our crews know the specific challenges of our local architecture: the low-pitch roofs on 1950s Mid-Century bungalows, the barrel tiles on 2000s Mediterranean villas, and the flat roofs on 1980s concrete block ranches. We don't subcontract skylight work—our own W-2 employees do every installation, and we stand behind it with our name and reputation. For a free, no-pressure estimate on your skylight project, call us at (407) 798-8767.
Signs You Need Skylight Installation
Water Stains Around the Frame
After a heavy Orlando thunderstorm, you notice a yellow-brown ring on your ceiling directly under the skylight. That's a sign the flashing or curb seal has failed, and water is tracking down the interior framing.
Fog Between the Glass Panes
Your skylight looks permanently hazy or fogged up, even on clear days. The seal between the two panes of glass has broken, letting in humidity—common in our high-moisture Florida climate—and the unit needs replacement.
Daylight Peeking Through the Edges
You see a sliver of daylight around the skylight's interior trim, even when the unit is closed. That gap means the gasket or weatherstripping has shrunk or cracked, creating a direct path for heat gain and potential leaks.
Vented Skylight Won't Open or Close
The manual crank spins freely but the skylight doesn't move, or the motorized unit hums without opening. Broken linkages or failed motors are common after 10-15 years of Florida sun exposure.
Sky-High Summer Cooling Bills
Your energy bills spike every July and August, and the room with the skylight feels noticeably hotter. Single-pane or uncoated skylights act like solar ovens—upgrading to low-E argon glass can cut heat transfer by 50%.
Visible Cracks or Hail Damage on the Dome
After a storm, you spot a star-shaped crack or small divot on the skylight's exterior dome or glass. Hail from a Central Florida storm can compromise the glazing, leading to leaks and eventual shattering.
What's Included
- ✓ Free on-site inspection and measurement of your attic space and roof structure
- ✓ Custom-built pressure-treated curb with continuous aluminum flashing
- ✓ Low-E argon-filled VELUX or Solatube skylight unit, installed to manufacturer spec
- ✓ Interior drywall return, taped, mudded, and painted to match your ceiling
- ✓ Full water test with hose before we leave the job site
- ✓ Magnetic nail sweep of your roof and yard for all debris and fasteners
- ✓ Manufacturer warranty registration and 2-year workmanship guarantee
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Ready to get started? Call us today at (407) 798-8767 for a free estimate.
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