R.13 · Residential roofing

Skylight installation and repair in Tulsa.

A skylight installed with proper flashing gives you years of natural light with no leaks. A skylight installed with inadequate flashing and caulk gives you natural light for a few years and then a water stain. The difference is the flashing detail, and that is where most Tulsa skylight installations have historically cut corners. We do it correctly.

Velux and FakroProper curb flashingLeak diagnosis and repairSun Tunnel options

Get a skylight estimate →Call (918) 978-2660

Q: My skylight is leaking. Is it the skylight or the flashing?

A: Usually the flashing. If the skylight glass and frame are intact and not visibly damaged, the water is most likely entering at the uphill curb flashing or at the step flashing on the sides. We inspect the full assembly before recommending replacement. Most skylight leaks are fixed with proper re-flashing.

Skylights in Tulsa have a poor reputation, and it is mostly earned by bad installations rather than the product itself. A skylight needs a complete flashing system: step flashing on the sides interwoven with the shingles, an apron flashing at the downhill end, and a saddle or counter flashing at the uphill curb. When any one of these elements is missing or done incorrectly, water finds the gap.

Oklahoma temperature swings are hard on caulk. A skylight sealed with caulk instead of a proper metal flashing system is a leak waiting for the right combination of rain angle and temperature. Velux uses an integrated flashing kit that is designed to work with the specific skylight model. We install the flashing kit as designed, not as an improvisation.

We install new skylights and repair existing ones. For skylights that are leaking because the original installation was inadequate, we re-flash the entire curb assembly. For skylights that are fogged, cracked, or past service life, we replace the unit with a new Velux or Fakro installation. See our roof flashing repair page for general flashing information.

Skylight problem signs

Six signs your skylight needs attention.

These are the signals that something has failed in the skylight assembly.

Water staining around the skylight inside

The most obvious sign. Staining on the ceiling or walls around the skylight frame means water is entering somewhere in the curb assembly.

Condensation between panes

Fogging between the glass layers means the dual-pane seal has failed. This is a skylight replacement issue, not a flashing issue.

Visible daylight around the frame

If you can see light between the skylight frame and the ceiling curb, that gap is also an air and water infiltration path.

Discolored or bubbling paint near the skylight

Paint that bubbles or discolors near the frame is absorbing moisture from a slow leak above. The damage often precedes visible water drips.

Staining on the decking visible from attic

Water staining on the decking around the skylight curb in the attic confirms that water has been entering the assembly, even if no drip is yet visible below.

Caulk cracking around the exterior curb

Exterior caulk at the skylight curb is a maintenance indicator. Cracked or missing caulk is not the primary waterproofing, but it signals that the assembly may need a full flashing inspection.

Skylight process

New installation or repair, done right.

01/04

Assess existing condition

For repairs: we inspect the full curb assembly from inside and out. For new installs: we assess the roof structure, preferred location, and rafter layout before any cutting happens.

Assessment first

02/04

Select the right product

We recommend the correct Velux or Fakro unit for your opening size, roof pitch, and glazing needs. Low-E glass for heat reduction. Vented models where ventilation is a goal.

Product match

03/04

Flash it correctly

Full curb flashing kit installed per manufacturer spec. Step flashing interwoven with shingles. Uphill saddle flashing. Apron at the downhill end. No shortcuts on the water management.

Full flashing

04/04

Verify and warrant

Visual inspection of all four sides of the curb. Written warranty on installation and flashing work. We come back if anything concerns you after the first significant rain.

Written warranty

Skylights work when the flashing is right.

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Why AE Roofing

We flash skylights the way they should have been the first time.

We repair more poorly-flashed skylights than we install new ones. That tells us something about how skylights are typically installed in Tulsa. The temptation to skip the manufacturer flashing kit and just caulk the curb is real. It saves time on the install. It costs the homeowner a leak in three to five years.

We do not take shortcuts on skylight flashing. The flashing kit costs more than caulk. The installation takes more time. The result is a dry room for the next 20 years instead of a water stain after the first hard Oklahoma rain.

Service area

Skylight work across Tulsa and:

Broken ArrowCoverage

OwassoCoverage

BixbyCoverage

JenksCoverage

Sand SpringsCoverage

SapulpaCoverage

ClaremoreCoverage

CatoosaCoverage

Skylight FAQ

Questions about
skylights.

Call us with questions about your specific skylight situation.

Ask us directly →

Why do skylights leak so often in Tulsa?+

Two reasons. First, many Tulsa skylights were installed without proper flashing, relying on caulk alone. Caulk cracks in Oklahoma temperature swings. Second, the uphill curb flashing is the hardest detail to get right and the most commonly skipped. Water runs downhill and concentrates at the uphill curb.

Can you repair a leaking skylight without replacing it?+

Often yes. If the skylight glass and frame are intact, the leak is usually a flashing failure, not a skylight failure. We re-flash the curb correctly and the leak stops. If the skylight itself is aged, cracked, or fogged from seal failure, replacement is the right call.

What brands of skylights do you install?+

Velux is the standard for quality residential skylights. Fakro is a solid second option. We also install Sun Tunnel tubular skylights for closets, bathrooms, and hallways where a full curb skylight is not practical. We can work with other brands when homeowners have a preference.

How much does a new skylight in Tulsa cost?+

The skylight unit plus proper installation and flashing is the full scope. A standard fixed Velux skylight installed correctly costs more than a big-box store unit installed with caulk. The difference is in the five-year leak probability. We quote the full job before anything is ordered.

Do skylights increase cooling costs in Oklahoma summer?+

Standard glass skylights can increase heat gain. Velux deck-mounted skylights with low-E glass significantly reduce solar heat gain while maintaining visible light transmission. If you are concerned about cooling load, we recommend low-E glazing and discuss placement options to minimize afternoon sun exposure.

Is a skylight a good idea on a roof that may need replacement soon?+

If the roof needs replacement within a few years, wait and do both at the same time. Installing a new skylight into an aging roof, or re-roofing around an existing skylight, creates complications. Doing them together is cleaner and results in a better flashing integration.

Ready when you are

The next storm
isn't waiting.

Whether your shingles are curling, your gutters are sagging, or you just want a second opinion before your insurer's deadline runs out, book the inspection. We don't charge for it, and we don't push for it.

(918) 978-2660Direct line · 7am – 9pm · 7 days

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