Exterior Installations
Window & Skylight Installation Properly Flashed, Sealed, and Leak-Free
Fixed skylights, venting skylights, tubular sun tunnels, roof windows, and replacement windows — NorTech installs every type with correct flashing for your roof. No shortcuts on the leak prevention that matters most.
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Professional Installation
Window & Skylight Installation for Any Home
Skylights bring natural light into spaces that would otherwise depend on artificial lighting — hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas where a window isn’t possible. When installed correctly, they add light, reduce energy costs, and last decades without leaking. When installed incorrectly, they leak within the first rain.
The difference is almost always the flashing. NorTech installs step flashing, counter flashing, and sealant in the correct sequence for the roof type — asphalt shingle, metal, tile, or low-slope. We do not rely on caulk as a substitute for proper flashing, and we do not cut corners on the waterproofing step that determines whether a skylight performs for 20 years or fails in 20 months.
We also install replacement windows in existing openings. You supply the unit; we handle fitting, sealing, and interior finishing. Written estimate before any work begins.
All Skylight Types
Every Type of Skylight & Window We Install
Different spaces and roof conditions call for different skylight solutions. Here’s what each type is and where it works best.
Fixed Skylights
Sealed units that do not open. The most common and most affordable skylight type. Available in flat glass and domed acrylic versions. Best for spaces where light is the goal and ventilation is handled elsewhere. Lower maintenance than venting units.
Best for: Light-only applications, low-pitch roofs
Venting Skylights
Skylights that open to release hot air and allow fresh air circulation. Available in manual crank and motorized versions. Particularly effective in kitchens and bathrooms where heat and moisture buildup is a concern. Motorized units can include rain sensors that close automatically.
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, ventilation needs
Tubular Skylights (Sun Tunnels)
A small roof dome connected to a highly reflective tube that channels daylight into interior spaces. Requires only a 10–14 inch roof opening. Ideal for hallways, closets, and bathrooms where a full skylight opening isn’t practical. Fast installation — typically 2–3 hours.
Best for: Hallways, closets, small bathrooms
Roof Windows
Installed on steeper-pitch roofs and designed to open fully for ventilation and egress. Meets building code egress requirements for attic bedrooms and loft spaces. Accessible for interior cleaning. Functions as both a window and a skylight depending on the space below.
Best for: Attic bedrooms, lofts, egress requirements
Skylight Replacement
Replacing an existing leaking or aged skylight unit in the same opening. We remove the old unit, inspect the curb and surrounding deck for rot, replace damaged material, install the new unit, and re-flash the full perimeter. Most common skylight call we receive.
Best for: Leaking or aged skylights
Replacement Windows
Installation of new window units in existing rough openings. We remove the old sash and frame, fit the replacement window, shim and secure it level and plumb, apply interior and exterior flashing tape, and seal all perimeter gaps. No structural rough carpentry for standard same-size replacements.
Best for: Upgrading old or drafty windows
Why Skylights Leak — And How We Prevent It
Flashing Is What Separates a Leak-Free Skylight from a Problem
Nearly every skylight leak is a flashing failure — not a unit failure. Here’s exactly what correct flashing involves and why each step matters.
Step Flashing
Individual L-shaped metal pieces woven between each course of shingles along the sides of the skylight curb. Forces water to flow away from the curb and onto the shingles below rather than behind them. Cannot be replaced by caulk — it must be physically interwoven with the roofing material.
Counter Flashing
Metal flashing that caps the step flashing and laps over the top of the shingles. Creates a second barrier against water intrusion. On skylights this is typically the manufacturer-supplied integrated flashing kit that wraps the curb perimeter.
Saddle / Cricket
A small peaked diverter installed upslope of wider skylights to redirect water and debris around the unit rather than pooling behind it. Required on skylights wider than 30 inches on pitched roofs. Frequently skipped by installers cutting corners — and a direct cause of leaks on wider units.
Self-Adhering Membrane
Ice and water shield or self-adhering flashing tape applied to the roof deck around the opening before the skylight and flashing are installed. Provides a final waterproof barrier at the deck level if any water gets past the outer flashing layers.
Sealant Application
Applied at specific joints and transitions after all flashing is in place — not as a substitute for flashing. Sealant alone on a skylight perimeter will crack and fail within a few years. It is the last step in a properly layered waterproofing system, not the only step.
Roof Compatibility
Skylight Installation on Any Roof Type
Flashing method varies by roof material. Here’s how we approach each one.
Asphalt Shingle
The most common roof type. Step flashing woven with shingles, counter flashing over the curb. Manufacturer integrated flashing kits fit most standard installations directly.
Metal Roofing
Uses butyl tape seals, compression flanges, and mechanical fasteners. Flashing must accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Requires experience with metal roof profiles to seal correctly.
Tile Roofing
Requires custom lead or copper flashing formed to fit the tile profile. Tiles must be carefully removed and re-laid around the curb. More labor-intensive than shingle installations.
Low-Slope / Flat
Uses a curb-mount installation with modified bitumen or EPDM membrane lapped up and over the curb. Critical that the membrane is fully adhered with no bridging at corners.
Transparent Pricing
What Affects the Cost of Skylight Installation?
Skylight installation pricing varies significantly based on the factors below. Every job is quoted on-site after a full assessment.
Installing a skylight in an existing opening — replacing an old unit or using a pre-cut curb — is significantly faster and less expensive than cutting a new opening through the roof deck and ceiling. New openings require framing modifications, which adds labor time and complexity to the job.
Asphalt shingle roofs are the most straightforward to work with. Tile roofs require custom flashing fabrication and careful tile removal and re-laying. Steep-pitch roofs require additional safety setup. Low-slope roofs require different waterproofing systems. Roof type and pitch are assessed during the on-site quote.
Tubular skylights are the fastest to install. Fixed skylights are standard. Venting and motorized units take longer due to the mechanism and wiring. Larger units require a cricket or saddle diverter on pitched roofs, which adds labor. Unit size also affects flashing material quantity.
Skylight replacements on leaking units frequently reveal rot in the surrounding roof deck or curb framing. Any damaged decking must be replaced before the new unit goes in — skipping this step means installing a new skylight over rotted wood. We document all deck conditions found during removal and quote repair separately before proceeding.
Some skylight installations require a light shaft or tunnel built between the roof and the ceiling below — especially when there is attic space between them. Finishing the interior opening with drywall, trim, or a pre-made light shaft kit adds labor. We assess interior finish requirements during the quote and include them in the written estimate.
Every job starts with a full on-site diagnostic. You receive a complete written estimate before any work begins.
Customer Reviews
What Homeowners Say About Our Skylight Installations
“Replaced a leaking skylight that two other contractors had ‘fixed’ before. NorTech pulled it out, found the rotted decking underneath, replaced it, and re-flashed the whole thing. Zero leaks through three storms.”
— Clarice N.“Tubular skylight in the hallway. What used to be the darkest part of the house is now bright all day. Installation was clean and fast — done in under three hours including the interior trim.”
— Ikenna O.“Fixed skylight over the kitchen. The flashing was done properly — step flashing woven with the shingles, not just caulked around the edge like my neighbor’s installer did. Very confident in this job.”
— Rosalind F.“New venting skylight in the master bath. Motorized with a rain sensor. Tech handled the wiring and tested the auto-close before leaving. The ventilation difference is immediate.”
— Ezekiel P.“Two replacement windows in the living room. Frames were level and the exterior sealing was thorough. No drafts at all now — the old windows leaked air badly in the corners.”
— Marisol G.“Roof window in the attic bedroom. Proper egress size, installed correctly on the steep pitch, and the flashing on the tile roof was custom fitted. No leaks and opens smoothly.”
— Tunde A.Frequently Asked Questions
Window & Skylight Installation — Common Questions
Straight answers on skylight types, flashing, leaks, roof compatibility, and what to expect.
NorTech installs fixed skylights, venting skylights (manual and motorized), tubular daylighting devices, and roof windows. We work with customer-supplied units from any major manufacturer. Every installation includes proper curb or deck mounting, step flashing, counter flashing, and interior finishing around the rough opening.
A properly installed skylight with correct flashing will not leak. The vast majority of skylight leaks are caused by improper flashing installation — not by the skylight unit itself. NorTech installs step flashing, counter flashing, and sealant in the correct sequence for the roof type. We do not skip flashing steps or rely on caulk as a substitute for proper flashing.
A skylight is typically installed on a low-pitch or flat roof section and is not designed to be opened for egress. A roof window is installed on a steeper-pitch roof and is designed to be fully opened — it meets egress requirements and can serve as an emergency exit in attic bedrooms or loft spaces. Roof windows are also accessible for cleaning from the inside.
A tubular skylight (also called a sun tunnel or light tube) is a small dome on the roof connected to a reflective tube that channels daylight into interior spaces. It requires a much smaller roof opening than a standard skylight — typically 10 to 14 inches in diameter. Tubular skylights work best in hallways, bathrooms, closets, and other spaces where a full skylight is not practical due to ceiling space or roof structure.
NorTech installs skylights on asphalt shingle, metal, tile, and low-slope roofs. Each roof type requires different flashing methods. Tile roofs require custom lead or copper flashing fitted around the tile profile. Metal roofs use butyl tape and mechanical fasteners. We assess the roof type during the on-site quote and confirm the correct flashing approach before scheduling installation.
Permit requirements vary by municipality. In many jurisdictions, replacing a skylight in an existing opening does not require a permit. Installing a new skylight in a location where none previously existed typically does require a permit, particularly if it involves cutting through roof framing. We advise on permit requirements during the quote and can assist with the permit process where needed.
A single skylight installation in an existing opening typically takes 3 to 5 hours including flashing and interior finishing. A new opening that requires cutting through roof decking and framing takes longer — typically a full day for one unit. Tubular skylight installation is faster, typically 2 to 3 hours per unit.
Yes. Skylight replacement is one of our most common requests. We remove the old unit, inspect the curb and surrounding roof deck for rot or damage, replace damaged decking if needed, install the new unit, and re-flash the entire perimeter. If a skylight is leaking, we also inspect whether the leak is from the unit itself or from failed flashing — and address the actual cause.
NorTech installs replacement windows in existing openings — removing the old window sash and frame and fitting a new insert or full-frame replacement window. We do not perform structural rough carpentry to resize openings. For standard same-size replacements on single-family homes, no structural modification is required and the job can typically be completed in one visit.
Yes. All skylight and window installations completed by NorTech are covered by our 1-year labor warranty. If a leak develops due to a flashing or installation defect within 12 months, we return and correct it at no charge. Skylight and window product warranties are provided separately by the manufacturer.
Service Territory
Skylight Installation Near You
NorTech installs skylights and windows across 100+ cities nationwide. Serving homeowners in these metros and expanding.
View our full service territory →Ready to Install Your Skylight or Window?
Get a free quote in 2–4 hours. We come on-site, assess your roof type and opening, and hand you a written estimate before any work begins.
