Skylight Installation & Repair in Bacliff, TX

There is no single best skylight; the right choice depends on the space below it.

• Fixed skylights do not open. They are ideal for living rooms, kitchens and stairwells where you want daylight without airflow, and they have the simplest seal.
• Vented skylights open to let out heat and humidity, which makes them useful in bathrooms and kitchens. Models with rain sensors close automatically when weather moves in.
• Tubular skylights use a small roof dome and a reflective tube to bring light into closets, hallways and small baths where a full skylight would not fit.

During your visit, we look at the room, the roof framing above it and the direction the roof faces before recommending a size and type.

Living this close to open water brings a few specific challenges:

• Salt-laden air is hard on metal flashing, fasteners and frame components, so we choose materials made to resist corrosion.
• Strong wind off the bay drives rain sideways, which tests the flashing and underlayment around the skylight curb.
• High humidity can lead to condensation inside the shaft if the unit or the attic around it is poorly insulated.
• Intense sun reflected off the water adds heat, so glass with energy-efficient glazing helps keep rooms comfortable.

Storm history also plays a role. Bacliff took a hard hit from Hurricane Ike in 2008, and many roofs in the area were repaired or replaced in a hurry afterward. Skylights reinstalled during that rush did not always get new flashing, so some of the leaks we see today trace back to shortcuts taken years ago. If your skylight dates from that period, it is worth having it checked before the next storm season.

Most skylight leaks come from poor original installation or flashing that has worn out with age. The glass itself is rarely the culprit. Our repair process starts with a careful inspection of the unit, the surrounding shingles and the attic side of the opening to find where water is entering. Depending on what we find, the fix may be:

• Resealing the unit where the seal has dried or separated.
• Replacing corroded or damaged flashing and adding new underlayment around the curb.
• Repairing shingles and decking around the skylight that have been damaged by water.
• Replacing the skylight entirely when the frame or glass has failed, or when the unit is outdated and inefficient.

Because we are roofers first, we can repair the surrounding roof in the same visit. Learn more about our full range of roofing services.

Most skylight installations can be completed in a single day, depending on size and complexity. We open the roof, frame the opening, install and flash the unit, and finish the interior shaft. Throughout the job, we keep the work area protected and clean up thoroughly before we leave. If you are planning a larger remodel or a new roof, it is a smart time to add or replace skylights, since the roof is already being worked on.

Placement makes a big difference. A skylight on a north-facing slope gives soft, even light with little heat, while one on a south- or west-facing slope brings in more brightness and more warmth. We also check for rafters, wiring and ductwork in the attic before choosing the exact location, so the opening can be framed cleanly without compromising the roof structure.

A little attention goes a long way near the coast. Rinse salt film off the exterior glass when you wash the house, keep leaves and debris cleared from around the curb, and check the interior shaft for stains after big storms. If a vented unit has stopped opening or closing smoothly, have it looked at before it fails in a downpour.

We serve Bacliff, San Leon, Kemah, Dickinson, League City and the rest of Galveston County, along with Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Waller counties. Call 832-691-1917, email info@tektonexteriors.com or request a free estimate. You can also read more about our skylight repair and installation services.