Roofing
Skylight Installation in Springdale, AR
Fixed, vented and tubular skylights, flashed and sealed by roofers, so the daylight comes in and the water stays out.
Chapter 01
Where skylights go wrong
Improper skylight installation is one of the most common causes of roof leaks. A skylight is a deliberate opening cut into the roof plane, so it is only as good as the framing, underlayment, flashing and sealing around it. Get one of those wrong and water finds the gap, usually at a corner, and usually in the first hard rain or the first freeze and thaw.
The damage rarely announces itself at the skylight. Water runs down the shaft and into the drywall, or travels along the framing before it stains a ceiling a few feet away. By the time you see it, the insulation and sheathing around the opening may already be wet.
That is the reason skylight work belongs with a roofing crew. The glass is the easy part. The roof around it is the job.
A skylight finished with new copper flashing on a roof in Northwest Arkansas
How a Top Hat install runs
We follow the manufacturer specifications and build the opening into the roofing system rather than bolting a unit onto it. The process starts with a structural roof evaluation, then proper underlayment integration, precision flashing installation, waterproof sealing and a final leak inspection before we call it done.
The photo on this page shows a skylight finished with new copper flashing, the kind of detail Top Hat fabricates in its own Springdale shop. Flashing is what keeps a skylight dry for the long haul, and it is where we put the time.
Modern skylight systems use durable tempered glass for safety and longevity. If you are replacing an old, leaking unit, we can look at the roof around it as well, since a failing skylight often means the surrounding roofing has been wet for a while. Call (479) 751-0432 to talk it through.
Chapter 03
Which kind fits which room
Tubular skylights use a reflective tube to capture sunlight at the roof and channel it into the room below. They suit hallways, bathrooms, closets and other spaces with no direct window access, and they bring steady natural light with minimal heat transfer.
Fixed skylights give you direct overhead daylight without ventilation, which makes them a good match for living rooms, open spaces and anywhere you want more sun. Vented skylights open manually or electronically, so they add airflow as well as light and help reduce moisture buildup in kitchens, bathrooms and other humid rooms.
The payoff is more natural light, less reliance on artificial lighting, a better feel in the room, and potential energy savings, with vented models also improving ventilation. We will talk through the layout of your home and the roof structure and help you pick the right type for each room.
TAMKO Pro Certified roofing from Springdale since 1983. Call (479) 751-0432.
If an existing skylight is already dripping, start with roof leak detection. Planning a bigger project? The roof replacement page explains how we work, and solar attic fans are another roof opening best done with proper flashing.