Free roof inspections • CSLB #1142280 • We install Velux skylights • NuShake-Distinct Service
Skylight installation and repair across the Bay Area.
Skylights are a roof penetration done right — they need a roofer who installs them, not a contractor who outsources. NuShake handles skylights in-house: flashing, curb, glazing, and all. We install Velux skylights — built to stay leak-proof.
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Quick answer
A skylight is a hole cut in your roof, so it needs a real roofer to seal it right. NuShake handles the whole job in-house: flashing, curb, and glass. We install Velux skylights, and our installs are built to stay leak-proof. Call (209) 253-0506 for a free inspection.
Why most roofers won't touch skylights — and why NuShake does.
A skylight is a hole in your roof. Done right, it brings light and value into your home for decades without leaking. Done wrong, it is the most expensive mistake on your ceiling. That risk is why most roofing contractors refuse skylights outright — or subcontract them to a window or glazing company that has never flashed a roof joint in their life.
NuShake has installed Velux skylights since Doug Heath founded the company in 1976. He understood that a skylight is a roofing problem first and a glazing problem second. The curb, the flashing, the water diversion — those are roofing skills. Brian Espindola kept that capability when he took over in 2025. He installs Velux skylights and is a California C-39 licensed roofer. When your skylight goes in, the same contractor who handles your shingles handles the penetration. One company, one warranty, no finger-pointing if a leak develops.
DeHart Roofing and Econo Roofing — NuShake's sister brands — focus on core roofing. Skylights are a NuShake specialty. If you are in Stanislaus or south Central Valley and need a skylight, the family refers you here.
Why Bay Area homeowners add skylights.
Natural daylighting has real financial and lifestyle value. Understanding the case for skylights helps you decide if they are right for your home.
Reduce lighting costs
A single well-placed skylight can eliminate the need for overhead lighting in a kitchen or living area for most daylight hours. Under NEM 3.0, reducing daytime consumption is more valuable than it used to be.
Passive solar heat (winter)
South-facing skylights admit low winter sun and reduce heating loads in the cooler months. Bay Area winters are mild, but the heating reduction is measurable.
Ventilation and air quality
Vented skylights open to exhaust hot air from kitchens and bathrooms. Stack effect draws cool air in from lower windows. It is the original passive cooling system.
Property value
Professionally installed skylights increase perceived value and appeal in Bay Area home sales. Leaking or foggy skylights do the opposite — a clear argument for proper installation from the start.
Dark rooms and odd layouts
Interior hallways, center bathrooms, and stairwells cannot receive light from windows. A sun tunnel or fixed skylight above solves the problem without structural changes.
NEM 3.0 and daylighting
California's NEM 3.0 reduced solar export credits. Reducing daytime electrical consumption — through skylights — now has higher effective value than before the rule change.
Skylight services from NuShake.
New Skylight Installation
Full installation including structural opening, curb, Velux unit, manufacturer flashing kit, and shaft (where required). Permitted where required by local jurisdiction.
Skylight Replacement
Old skylight removed and replaced with a new Velux unit. Ideal when re-roofing — the surrounding area is already open, so incremental labor cost is low.
Skylight Leak Repair
Brian inspects the flashing, curb, sealant, and glazing to find the source. We quote repair and replacement options so you can make an informed decision.
Sun Tunnel Installation
Tubular skylights bring light into bathrooms, hallways, closets, and kitchens where a full skylight is not practical. Small roof dome, reflective tube, diffuser ceiling insert.
Velux Vented Skylights
Operable skylights that open manually or via remote. Exhaust heat and moisture from kitchens and bathrooms. Includes built-in rain sensor on premium models.
Fixed Skylights
Non-operable skylights for pure daylighting. Lower cost than vented. Best for living rooms, hallways, and rooms where ventilation is not the primary goal.
Why we install Velux skylights.
Velux is the global leader in skylight manufacturing. Their products are found in more Bay Area homes than any other brand. More importantly, Velux offers a comprehensive flashing system designed specifically for each skylight model — sized for the unit, tested to California weather conditions, and backed by a manufacturer product warranty.
- Quality installation protects the manufacturer warranty. Velux skylights installed to manufacturer spec qualify for the full 20-year product warranty. Sloppy installs put that warranty at risk from day one.
- Proprietary flashing kits eliminate guesswork. Velux designs a specific flashing kit for each unit and roof type. There is no improvisation with generic metal and sealant. Every joint is accounted for.
- NuShake has installed Velux skylights since Doug Heath's era. The skill and tooling are part of the company's institutional knowledge — not something Brian picked up last year.
- In-house installs keep accountability simple. If a Velux skylight installed by NuShake ever has a product defect, the manufacturer warranty is intact for your claim — and you deal with one contractor, not two.
Bay Area conditions that affect skylight decisions.
The Bay Area's climate is not uniform. Your skylight choice should reflect where you live and what your roof faces.
- Coastal fog (Oakland, Fremont, Alameda). Coastal morning fog reduces solar gain in the early hours. South-facing skylights perform best on coastal homes because they capture the afternoon sun once fog clears. Low-E glazing reduces unwanted heat gain during warmer months.
- Inland heat (Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton). Inland East Bay sees summer highs above 100°F regularly. On west-facing roof sections, unshaded skylights without low-E glass can significantly increase cooling loads. Brian sizes and orients skylights based on your home's exposure.
- NEM 3.0 and daylighting value. California's new net metering rules make in-home consumption reduction more valuable. A skylight that eliminates 4–6 hours of overhead lighting per day has a meaningful energy value that was harder to quantify before NEM 3.0.
- Tile roofs. Spanish tile roofs require extra care during skylight installation — tiles must be cut, removed, and reset around the curb without breaking. Brian's crew has this experience; many general contractors do not.
- Permit requirements. Bay Area jurisdictions including Pleasanton, Livermore, and Tracy require permits for new skylight installations. NuShake pulls permits and handles inspections so you are covered.
Skylight types compared.
| Type | Best For | Installed Cost (Bay Area) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed skylight (standard) | Daylighting, living areas | $1,200–2,500 | No moving parts; lowest maintenance; most popular. |
| Vented skylight (manual) | Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms | $2,000–3,500 | Opens for ventilation; hand crank or pole. |
| Vented skylight (electric/solar) | High ceilings, remote locations | $2,800–4,500 | Remote or app control; rain sensor closes automatically. |
| Sun tunnel (rigid) | Hallways, bathrooms, closets | $800–1,300 | Rigid reflective tube; highest light transmission; fast install. |
| Sun tunnel (flexible) | Tight attic clearance situations | $900–1,500 | Flexible tube routes around obstructions; slightly lower output. |
Prices are Bay Area 2025–2026 estimates for Velux product. Structural opening work, shaft framing, and drywall finish are included in most quotes. Final pricing depends on roof pitch, tile vs. shingle, and access.
How NuShake installs a skylight.
- Consultation and placement. Brian visits and walks the roof and interior. You discuss where you want light, what the roof structure allows, and what type of skylight fits the space. He notes orientation, pitch, framing, and any obstructions.
- Permit application (where required). NuShake submits the permit application with framing and product specifications. Most Bay Area jurisdictions approve skylight permits within 5–10 business days.
- Structural opening. The roof is cut and the opening is framed. Headers are installed to maintain structural integrity — the ceiling below is not weakened by the opening.
- Curb and Velux unit installation. The Velux curb is set and leveled. The skylight unit is secured to the curb. Every connection point is made to manufacturer specification.
- Velux flashing kit installation. The proprietary Velux flashing kit for your specific unit and roof type is installed — step flashing, apron flashing, and counter flashing. No generic metal or improvised sealing.
- Interior shaft framing and finish. If the skylight is in a vaulted ceiling, the shaft is framed and finished to your specification. Drywall finish is available as an add-on.
- Leak test and inspection. Brian runs a water test before leaving. On permitted projects, the city inspector confirms compliance before final sign-off.
Skylight FAQ.
Will skylights leak?
Not when they are installed correctly. Skylights leak when flashing is improperly sized, when the curb is too low, or when a contractor without roofing experience handles the roof integration. NuShake installs Velux skylights with manufacturer-spec flashing kits designed for your specific roof type. Leak risk is a function of installation quality — not the product itself.
Should I replace my skylights when I re-roof?
Almost always yes, if your skylights are more than 15–20 years old. Re-roofing requires removing and replacing the flashing around every skylight anyway. If the skylight glazing is foggy, cracked, or the frame is showing UV damage, replacing the skylight at the same time adds very little incremental labor cost — you're already in that area of the roof. Brian inspects every skylight during the estimate and gives you an honest recommendation.
Can you fix an existing skylight leak without replacing the whole skylight?
Yes, if the leak is from failed flashing or deteriorated sealant around an otherwise intact skylight. Brian inspects the source of the leak first — sometimes it is the flashing, sometimes it is a cracked curb, and sometimes the skylight itself has failed. We quote repair and replacement options so you can make an informed choice.
What is a sun tunnel, and is it different from a skylight?
A sun tunnel (also called a solar tube or tubular skylight) uses a small roof dome to capture daylight and channel it through a reflective tube to a diffuser on your ceiling. It brings natural light into rooms where a full skylight is not practical — hallways, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and closets. Sun tunnels are less expensive than full skylights, faster to install, and have no moving parts to maintain.
How much does skylight installation cost in the Bay Area?
A new fixed Velux skylight installed costs $1,200–2,500. Vented (operable) skylights run $2,000–4,500 installed. Sun tunnels cost $800–1,500 installed. Prices vary based on skylight size, roof pitch, shaft length, and any structural opening work needed. Skylights installed during a full roof replacement cost less because the crew is already staged and the surrounding area is already open.
Why does NuShake install skylights when most roofers won't?
Most roofing contractors avoid skylights because roof penetrations — if done wrong — become a liability. They outsource to a window or glazing contractor, which splits accountability between two companies. NuShake has installed Velux skylights since Doug Heath's day in 1976. Brian kept that capability. When you call NuShake for a skylight, the same licensed C-39 roofer who handles your roof deck handles the penetration, the flashing, and the curb — one contractor, one warranty.
Does NEM 3.0 affect whether a skylight makes sense for my home?
Yes. Under California's NEM 3.0 net metering rules, the export value of excess solar energy dropped significantly. That makes reducing daytime electrical consumption — through natural daylighting — more valuable than before. A well-placed skylight can meaningfully reduce your mid-day lighting load. Brian can discuss where skylights would have the most impact based on your home's orientation and floor plan.
Cities we serve — skylight installation and replacement.
More from NuShake Roofing.
Roof Replacement
Full tear-off and re-roof. The best time to add or replace skylights is during a full replacement — labor savings are significant.
Attic Insulation
Another NuShake-distinct offering. Blown-in, spray foam, and radiant barrier installed by the same roofer who handles your roof and skylights.
Solar Roofing
GAF Solar Certified. Skylights and solar both affect your home's energy picture — Brian can help you plan both in the same project.
Gutters & Flashing
Custom flashing is part of every skylight install. NuShake handles gutters and all flashing work in-house.
Econo Roofing
Mario Espindola's flagship since 1996. Serving south Central Valley. Skylights referred to NuShake for cross-territory installs.
DeHart Roofing
50-year Stanislaus County institution. Now part of the Espindola family. Skylight referrals handled by NuShake.
Ready to bring natural light into your home?
Brian Espindola has been in the trade since he was 18. He has torn off roofs, led crews, and earned his C-39 license at 23. He knows what a roof penetration looks like from the inside — and how to make it watertight for decades. Get a free skylight consultation. No pressure, written estimate included.
NuShake Roofing • 540 Frontage Rd, Ripon, CA 95366 • CSLB #1142280 • Mon–Fri 8am–5pm