Name: Hillsborough Roofing Pros
Telephone: 9086630781
Price range: $$

What Skylight Installation Involves

A skylight isn't just a window stuck in the roof. It's a layered system: the glass unit, a curb or flashing kit, and the roof deck integration. For most Hillsborough homes, we install VELUX fixed or vented units, or Solatube sun tunnels for tight spaces like hallways and bathrooms.

Vented skylights open with a motor or crank, pulling hot air out of a stuffy attic or great room. Fixed units are simpler — no moving parts, just light. Solar-powered blinds are a popular add-on, especially for south-facing roofs where afternoon sun gets intense. Sun tunnels run a reflective tube from the roof to the ceiling, perfect for rooms with no direct roof access.

The real work is in the flashing. We use self-adhered ice and water shield at the base, then step and counter-flashing that interlocks with your shingles. On a steep pitch or a tile roof, the approach changes. Every job gets ring-shank nails for the decking and a proper starter course at the bottom edge.

Signs You Need Skylight Installation

You might need a new skylight if you see water stains on the ceiling below it, feel a draft near the window, or notice the glass has fogged up — that means the seal failed. Condensation between the panes is a dead giveaway. In winter, ice dams along the eaves can wick water up under the skylight flashing, causing rot in the roof deck. Spring thunderstorms with hail can crack the glass or dent the frame, letting moisture seep in slowly. If your skylight is more than 15 years old and the gaskets are brittle or peeling, it's time to refit it before the next storm.

Our Skylight Installation Process

First, we do a site visit to check your roof structure, attic access, and the best location for light. We measure the rough opening, order the unit, and schedule the install. On the day of the job, we strip the shingles around the opening, inspect the decking for rot or decay, and replace any damaged plywood. We set the skylight on a curb, apply the self-adhered flashing, then layer the step flashing and counter-flashing. The shingles go back on in staggered courses, so water runs over the flashing, not behind it. We finish with a leak test using a hose, and we clean up all debris and nails.

Cost Considerations in Hillsborough

Skylight installation costs between $1,200 and $4,500 per unit, installed. A basic fixed skylight on a simple asphalt shingle roof runs $1,200 to $2,000. A vented unit with solar blinds and a complex flashing job on a steep roof can hit $4,500. Sun tunnels are cheaper, usually $800 to $1,500. The price includes the unit, flashing, labor, and cleanup. If your roof deck needs repair, that's extra — we'll tell you before we start, not after.

Warranty & Insurance

Most skylights come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty on the glass and a 25-50 year warranty on the flashing kit, depending on the brand. We register your warranty with VELUX or Solatube so you're covered. If a storm damaged your skylight, your homeowners insurance may cover the replacement. We'll document the damage with photos and work with your adjuster to make the claim process smooth.

Why Choose Hillsborough Roofing Pros for Skylight Installation in Hillsborough?

Hillsborough spans ZIP codes 08844 and 08807, and the township's elevation varies from about 50 to 300 feet above sea level. That means some homes sit low near the Neshanic River, where humidity and moss are a problem, while others up near Sourland Mountain get hammered by winter ice. We've installed skylights in Clover Hill ranches, Hillsborough Village colonials, and Country Club Estates split-levels. We know which flashing detail works for your roof's pitch and exposure. And we're local, so if a skylight ever leaks, we're back the same week.

Signs You Need Skylight Installation

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Water Stains on Ceiling

Brown rings or damp spots under a skylight mean the flashing has failed. In Hillsborough's humid summers, moisture can wick along the decking for weeks before it shows inside.

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Foggy or Clouded Glass

Condensation between the panes means the seal is broken. Once moisture gets in, it erodes the low-E coating and blocks daylight — replacement is the only fix.

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Draft Near the Window

If you feel cold air in winter or heat in summer, the skylight is no longer airtight. Ice dams along the eaves can pry the flashing loose, letting wind and water seep in.

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Visible Cracks or Hail Damage

Hail from spring thunderstorms can crack the glass or dent the frame without you noticing. Small cracks grow with every freeze-thaw cycle, so fix them before a leak starts.

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Ice Dams Forming on Roof

Snow melting and refreezing at the eaves can push water up under the skylight flashing. If you see icicles hanging from the skylight edge, the flashing is compromised.

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Skylight Older Than 15 Years

Older units have single-pane glass and aluminum frames that corrode. The gaskets dry out and peel, and the sealant flakes away. A modern unit with low-E glass is more energy-efficient and safer.