What Skylight Installation Involves
Installing a skylight is not a simple cut-and-drop job. We start by evaluating your attic space and roof structure to ensure the framing can support the new opening. For Denver homes with mid-century brick ranches or Victorian-era bungalows, we often need to reframe between rafters to match the skylight's rough opening. We use VELUX fixed skylights for low-cost daylighting in hallways and vented models with solar-powered blinds for bathrooms and kitchens where you need both light and ventilation. Solatube sun tunnels are our go-to for tight spaces like interior closets or laundry rooms where a full skylight doesn't fit. Every installation includes a custom curb and step-flashing system to shed water away from the penetration, and we seal the deck with ice-and-water shield rated for Denver's freeze-thaw cycles.
Signs You Need Skylight Installation
If you have a room that feels like a cave even at noon, a skylight is the fix. You might notice water stains on the ceiling below an old skylight that has failed flashing — a common issue on 1990s suburban split-levels where the original builder-grade units have dry-rotted gaskets. Another sign is high energy bills from a drafty skylight shaft; we replace the entire unit and insulate the chase to R-38. In homes with low-slope roofs in Cherry Creek or Washington Park, we often find that an improperly flashed curb is the source of persistent leaks. If you see daylight around the edges of an existing skylight frame, that's an immediate call for replacement before rot spreads to the roof deck.
Our Skylight Installation Process
Step 1: Site evaluation and structural check. We measure your ceiling slope, roof pitch, and rafter spacing. In Capitol Hill and Five Points, many homes have 4/12 pitch roofs with limited attic clearance, so we plan the skylight placement to avoid ductwork and wiring. Step 2: Interior prep and drywall cut. We protect your floors with drop cloths and cut the ceiling opening from inside, then remove shingles and decking from above. Step 3: Curb and flashing install. We build a pitched curb to match your roof slope, then install continuous step flashing under the shingles. Every nail gets a dab of roofing cement — no shortcuts. Step 4: Skylight unit set and seal. We set the VELUX or Solatube unit, connect the solar wiring for blinds, and seal the curb-to-skylight joint with a gasket and caulk. Step 5: Interior trim and insulation. We insulate the drywall-to-framing gap with spray foam, then install the drywall ring and trim kit. Step 6: Final leak test and cleanup. We simulate rain with a hose test and inspect the attic for any light gaps before we leave.
Cost Considerations in Denver
For a standard VELUX fixed skylight installed on a shingle roof, expect $1,200 to $2,800 per unit including flashing, trim, and labor. Vented skylights with solar-powered blinds run $2,500 to $4,500. Solatube sun tunnels start at $900 and go to $1,800 for the largest 14-inch model with a light kit. Roof pitch and accessibility affect the price — a steep 12/12 roof on a Highland Victorian adds $300 to $500 for safety rigging. If we need to reframe rafters or relocate ductwork, add $400 to $800 per skylight. We provide a line-item estimate so you see exactly where your money goes.
Warranty & Insurance
VELUX offers a 10-year warranty on the glass and a 5-year warranty on the flashing kit for residential installations. Solatube covers its tubing and dome for 10 years. We back our labor with a 2-year workmanship warranty that covers any leaks caused by improper installation. If an existing skylight leak has already damaged your drywall or insulation, we can document the damage for your homeowners insurance claim — Denver's hailstorms often create conditions that lead to flashing failures, and many policies cover the repair. We work with your adjuster to ensure the skylight replacement is included in the storm damage scope.
Why Choose Denver Roofing Team for Skylight Installation in Denver?
Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level, which means UV radiation is intense enough to degrade cheap skylight gaskets in just three years. We use only VELUX and Solatube products designed for high-altitude solar exposure, and we install them with a flashing system that handles the rapid temperature swings from 70°F in the afternoon to 20°F at night. We have completed skylight installations in Baker bungalows, Capitol Hill Victorians, and Cherry Creek modern homes — each with its own structural quirks. Our team is licensed, insured, and experienced with Denver County building codes, so you get a permit-ready installation that passes inspection the first time.
Signs You Need Skylight Installation
Dark Hallways at Noon
If your interior hallway needs lights on during the day, a skylight or sun tunnel can bring in natural light without a full remodel. Denver's high altitude means we get 300+ sunny days a year — perfect for daylighting.
Water Stains Below Old Skylight
Brown rings on the ceiling around a skylight opening mean the flashing has failed. In Denver's freeze-thaw cycles, water seeps in, freezes, and widens gaps each winter.
Drafty Room Near Ceiling
If you feel cold air dropping from a skylight in winter, the unit's seal or insulation has failed. Replacement with a modern, low-E glass model will stop drafts and cut heating costs.
Visible Light Around Frame
Daylight shining through the edges of a skylight indicates a gap in the flashing or drywall trim. This is an entry point for moisture and pests, especially in older homes.
High Energy Bills in Summer
Single-pane skylights from the 1980s and 1990s act like heat collectors, baking your home in summer. Replacing with a VELUX double-pane unit with solar-powered blinds cuts solar heat gain by up to 70%.
Bathroom Without Ventilation
A vented skylight with a rain sensor opens automatically to release steam and humidity, preventing mold on drywall. This is a common upgrade in Denver's older homes that lack bathroom exhaust fans.
What's Included
- ✓ Free on-site inspection and structural evaluation
- ✓ Photo documentation of attic and roof condition
- ✓ Permit pull and Denver County code compliance
- ✓ VELUX or Solatube manufacturer warranty registration
- ✓ Full cleanup including debris removal and magnetic nail sweep
- ✓ Interior drywall trim and insulation of skylight shaft
- ✓ Post-installation leak test and written warranty certificate
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Ready to get started? Call us today at (720) 784-0657 for a free estimate.
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