Skylight Installation and Repair Guide for DFW Homeowners
Skylights don't leak because they're skylights. They leak because whoever flashed them cut corners. We get called to fix skylight leaks in Plano, Allen, and Flower Mound on a regular basis — and in about 80% of cases, the skylight unit itself is fine. The flashing was installed with caulk instead of proper step and counter-flashing. Sometimes the previous roofer just ran a bead of sealant around the frame and called it good. That holds for a year or two, then starts leaking the first time a heavy rain drives water uphill along the framing.
How Skylight Flashing Is Supposed to Work
Proper skylight flashing is a layered system, the same principle used for chimneys and roof-to-wall transitions. Along the sides, step flashing — individual L-shaped metal pieces — weaves with each course of shingles, so water running down the side of the curb is directed onto the shingle below it and then onto the next one. At the upslope (head) of the skylight, counter-flashing overlaps the step flashing to prevent water from running behind it. At the downslope (sill), a sill flashing piece channels water away from the curb. Most skylight manufacturers — Velux, FAKRO, Sun Tunnel — include a complete integrated flashing kit designed for their specific curb dimensions. If the installer skips the kit and uses caulk, the system will eventually fail. Integrated flashing kits, properly installed, last the life of the roof.
Repair vs Replace: How to Decide
If your skylight is leaking, the first question is whether the unit itself is the problem or just the flashing. Get up there and look: if the glass or acrylic dome is cracked, yellowed, or brittle, replace the unit. If the glazing is in good shape and the leak is at the perimeter, it's a flashing issue. Flashing replacement on an existing skylight runs $350-$600 for a standard fixed unit — much cheaper than a new unit. If your skylight is more than 20 years old, consider replacing it at the time of any major roof work — Velux, the market leader, has a 10-year labor warranty and 20-year glass warranty on their current product line. The integrated flashing systems on modern skylights are significantly better than what was available in the early 2000s.
Adding Skylights During Roof Replacement
If you've been thinking about adding a skylight, a full roof replacement is the optimal time. The marginal labor cost of adding a skylight during a re-roof is minimal — the area around it is already being worked on. Adding a skylight to an existing roof means cutting through a finished roof system, which is more labor-intensive and creates disruption to surrounding shingles. Standard fixed Velux skylights run $300-$600 for the unit; solar venting models run $900-$1,500. Labor to install during a re-roof adds $200-$400 per unit. JRH installs Velux skylights as part of residential roof replacements across DFW — if you want one added, tell us during the estimate so we can plan the curb framing.
Sun Tunnels and Tubular Skylights
If you want natural light in a room directly below the roof but don't want a full skylight, tubular skylights (Velux Sun Tunnel, Solatube) are worth considering. They're easier to install, don't require a curb, and the small footprint means flashing is simpler. They bring concentrated natural light into bathrooms, hallways, or closets where a full skylight isn't practical. Cost is typically $500-$900 installed. Light output is good for a single room. Call JRH at (469) 888-6903 if you want to talk through options for your specific home layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does skylight installation cost in DFW?+
Why is my skylight leaking after I just had my roof replaced?+
Skylight Leak? We'll Find It.
Most skylight leaks are flashing issues, not unit failures. We diagnose first, then fix what's actually wrong. Grab your phone. Call (469) 888-6903. Ask us anything. Five minutes, no pressure, no BS.
Call (469) 888-6903