Licensed & Insured in Virginia · Class A License #2701036327 · Serving Central VA Since 1987
Skylight Contractor
Roanoke VA. Done Right.
A leaking skylight in a Grandin Village home. A dark hallway in a 1990s Cave Spring ranch that needs natural light. A fogged-up dual-pane unit that nobody has touched in 20 years. We handle all of it — skylight installation, repair, replacement, and leaking skylight fixes throughout Roanoke VA. The flashing detail is what separates a skylight that lasts from one that drips every spring.
- Skylight Installation
- Skylight Repair
- Skylight Replacement
- Leaking Skylight Repair
- Skylight Flashing Repair
- Vented Skylight Installation
- Fixed Skylight Installation
- Tubular Skylight / Sun Tunnel
- Roof Window Installation
- Skylight Glass Replacement
- Skylight Frame Repair
- Energy-Efficient Upgrades
- Emergency Skylight Repair
- Skylight Maintenance
Your Skylight Is Either Working for Your Home or Against It. Here's How to Tell.
Every spring in Roanoke we start getting calls from homeowners who are finding water stains near their skylights for the first time. It usually starts small — a damp spot on the ceiling after a hard rain, a drip that only shows up when wind blows from a certain direction. By the time a Roanoke homeowner calls us, the leak has usually been happening longer than they realize and there's sometimes moisture damage in the framing around the curb that they weren't expecting.
Most of those leaks aren't caused by a failed skylight unit. They're caused by failed flashing. And that distinction matters — because a lot of contractors will seal around the skylight perimeter with caulk, declare it fixed, and be gone by noon. Twelve months later, the homeowner calls again. The caulk held for one season and now the same drip is back. We don't do caulk-only skylight repairs. When the flashing is the problem, we fix the flashing.
We fabricate our own skylight flashing components in-house — which is how we got into skylight work in the first place. Most of what we do in skylight installation and repair involves custom sheet metal work that mass-market installers don't have the capability to do properly. The step flashing, the saddle at the uphill side, the counter-flashing detail — all of it needs to be built for the specific skylight, the specific roofline, and the specific pitch of your Roanoke roof. Stock kit flashing from a box doesn't always get that right.
Before we touch anything, we inspect the skylight unit and the surrounding roofing assembly. You get a written finding with photos. Here's what we assess:
- Skylight frame condition — cracks, warping, seal failure
- Glazing condition — fogging, cracking, UV yellowing
- Step flashing condition at both sides of the skylight
- Counter-flashing and head flashing above the unit
- Saddle / cricket condition at uphill side (if present)
- Curb condition — rot, moisture intrusion
- Surrounding shingles — condition, integration with flashing
- Interior ceiling for moisture stain pattern and extent
- Honest written recommendation — repair, reflash, or replace
Skylight Installation in Roanoke VA — Fixed vs. Vented, What Size Works, and Why Flashing Is the Part That Matters Most
Skylights are one of the most effective ways to bring natural light into spaces that feel dark and closed off — and in Roanoke, where older homes in neighborhoods like Grandin Village, Old Southwest, and Garden City often have kitchens and living areas that don't get much direct sun, a well-placed skylight can change how a room feels entirely. But getting a skylight installed right is more about what happens at the roof than what happens on the ceiling.
Fixed Skylight Installation
A fixed skylight is a sealed unit — it provides light but does not open. Fixed skylights are simpler, less expensive, and require less maintenance than vented units. They're the right choice for rooms where you want consistent natural light without ventilation — living rooms, hallways, stairwells, dining rooms. We install fixed skylights from Velux, FAKRO, and other quality manufacturers in the sizing that fits your specific roof bay and interior ceiling configuration.
Vented Skylight Installation
A vented (operable) skylight can be opened to allow air circulation. Manual vented skylights are opened with a hand crank or pole. Solar-powered and electric vented skylights open and close with a remote, a wall switch, or automatically via a rain sensor. Vented skylights are popular in Roanoke kitchens, bathrooms, and attic conversions where both natural light and passive ventilation are desirable. The Velux solar-powered Fresh Air skylight is one of our most commonly installed units — it runs on a built-in solar panel, requires no electrical wiring, and comes with Velux's no-leak guarantee when installed by an authorized dealer.
The Flashing Detail That Determines Whether It Leaks
The most important part of any skylight installation isn't the unit you choose — it's how the flashing integrates the skylight curb with the surrounding roofing system. Step flashing runs up both sides of the skylight, lacing between shingle courses. Counter-flashing caps the top of the step flashing. A properly built saddle or cricket at the uphill side of larger skylights diverts water around the unit rather than letting it pile up behind it. We fabricate the custom metal components for every skylight we install — this is where having an in-house sheet metal operation makes a difference.
The best skylights are positioned on north- or east-facing roof sections when possible — they provide consistent, diffused natural light without the intense direct solar gain that south- and west-facing skylights create in Roanoke's summers. On older homes with limited roof windows, we assess rafter spacing, insulation depth, and interior ceiling configuration before recommending placement. Call 540-890-0358 for a site consultation.
- Fixed skylights — curb-mounted and deck-mounted
- Manual vented skylights — crank or pole operation
- Solar-powered vented skylights — remote / rain sensor
- Electric vented skylights — switch or smart home
- Roof windows — low-pitch operable units
- Flat roof skylights — curb-mounted on low-slope
- Custom-size and specialty shape skylights
- Structural opening cut to skylight specifications
- Rafter modification / header if required
- Skylight unit set on curb or deck-mounted
- Custom step flashing — fabricated in-house
- Counter-flashing and head flashing
- Saddle / cricket at uphill side if needed
- Surrounding shingles replaced and integrated
- Interior shaft framing and drywall (if in scope)
- Manufacturer warranty registration
Leaking Skylight Repair in Roanoke VA — Why the Flashing Is Almost Always the Real Problem and What Proper Repair Actually Involves
If your Roanoke skylight is leaking, there's a better than 80% chance the problem is in the flashing system around the skylight — not the skylight unit itself. That distinction matters because a lot of people (and a lot of contractors) default to resealing the perimeter of the skylight with fresh caulk when it leaks. Caulk compresses, cracks, and fails — especially on the thermal expansion and contraction cycle that Roanoke's climate puts any roof component through between summer heat and winter cold. A caulk-only repair might hold for a season. It will not hold for years.
Proper leaking skylight repair starts with finding the actual entry point. This is harder than it sounds on a skylight because water that enters at a failed step flashing on one side of the unit can travel along the curb, down the ceiling structure, and show up as a stain several feet away from where it came in. We investigate the full flashing system — both sides, the head, and the curb base — before we determine what the right repair scope is.
The most common flashing failures we find on leaking skylights in Roanoke homes: step flashing that was installed flat rather than woven into shingle courses, counter-flashing that has separated from the curb and is allowing water to run behind it, no saddle or cricket at the uphill side of wider skylights (water backs up behind a wide skylight during heavy rain and pushes under the flashing), and original flashing that was stock kit flashing rather than custom-fabricated — it may have been close enough to work at installation but has moved over time.
Skylight sealing and resealing is appropriate when the flashing itself is still structurally sound but joints have opened or sealant has dried out. We use compatible sealants that stay flexible through Roanoke's seasonal temperature range and are UV-stable so they don't degrade in summer sun. We don't use general-purpose silicone or paintable caulk on skylight flashings — the wrong sealant fails quickly in this application.
Most Common Skylight Leak Sources
- ▸Failed or improperly installed step flashing
- ▸Counter-flashing separation at curb
- ▸No cricket / saddle on wide skylight
- ▸Caulk-only repair that has dried and cracked
- ▸Curb rot allowing water ingress at base
- ▸Condensation from failed glazing seal (looks like leak)
Proper Flashing Repair vs. Caulk
Caulk has its place — at completed metal-to-metal joints and as a final sealant over a properly installed flashing system. It is not a substitute for metal flashing. If a contractor proposes to fix your leaking Roanoke skylight by running a bead of sealant around the perimeter, ask what they're doing about the step flashing. If they don't have an answer, they're doing a temporary repair, not a proper one.
- Remove affected shingles around skylight
- Assess existing step flashing — replace if failed
- Fabricate new step flashing — custom in-house
- Install new counter-flashing at curb
- Build saddle / cricket at uphill side if missing
- Reseal all flashing joints with UV-stable sealant
- Relay shingles — integrated with new flashing
- Inspect curb for rot and replace if needed
Active water intrusion around a skylight in your Roanoke home needs attention fast — water in framing cavities causes damage in days, not weeks. Call us anytime.
Call 540-890-0358 — 24/7Skylight Replacement in Roanoke VA — When Repair Is No Longer the Right Call and What a Proper Replacement Involves
Skylights don't last forever. The glazing seal on a dual-pane skylight unit typically holds 15-20 years before moisture works its way between the panes and causes fogging. The frame seals — the gaskets and seals between the glazing and the frame — degrade from UV exposure. Single-pane skylights that were original equipment on Roanoke homes built in the 1980s are way past their functional lifespan and are significant sources of heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. At some point, replacing the unit is more cost-effective than continued repair.
The general rule: if the skylight is less than 15 years old and the issue is confined to flashing, repair is usually the right call. If the skylight is 20+ years old, has fogged glazing, a warped or cracked frame, failed seals at the curb, or is a single-pane unit — replacement is worth the investment. Modern double-pane and triple-pane skylight units with low-E coatings perform dramatically better than what was standard in older Roanoke homes.
Skylight Glass Replacement
On some skylight models, the glazing unit can be replaced independently without removing the entire frame and curb assembly. If the frame and curb are still structurally sound, a glazing replacement is a cost-effective upgrade that restores visibility and insulating performance without the full installation scope. We assess glazing replacement viability on every skylight we inspect — if the frame is in good shape, this can save significant cost vs. full unit replacement.
Skylight Frame Repair
Curb rot is the most common frame-related skylight problem we find on Roanoke homes — particularly on older units where flashing failures allowed moisture to reach the wooden curb structure over a period of years. We repair rotted curbs, replace deteriorated frame seals, and address structural curb issues that would otherwise compromise the new flashing installation. A new skylight unit set on a rotted curb will leak at the same location within a season.
- Fogging between panes — failed glazing seal
- Cracked or yellowed plastic glazing (single-pane)
- Warped or cracked frame that won't seal properly
- Skylight is 20+ years old
- Single-pane glazing — significant energy loss
- Same flashing area has been repaired twice
- Curb is rotted — can't hold new flashing properly
- Operating mechanism on vented unit has failed
- Remove existing skylight unit and curb
- Assess and repair structural opening
- New curb installation if needed
- New skylight unit set and secured
- Full new flashing system — in-house fabricated
- Surrounding shingles replaced and integrated
- Interior finishing as needed
- Manufacturer warranty registration
Tubular Skylights and Roof Windows in Roanoke VA — Natural Light Solutions for Spaces That Can't Take a Full Skylight
A lot of Roanoke homes — especially ranch-style homes in Cave Spring, Hollins, and Vinton, and older two-story homes with tight interior layouts — have rooms and hallways that stay dark because a traditional full-size skylight isn't practical. The bathroom that's not directly under a roof section. The hallway between bedrooms. The walk-in closet that needs more than a lightbulb. Tubular skylights and roof windows solve these problems with a smaller roof opening and faster installation than a conventional skylight.
A small roof dome (10" or 14" diameter) captures sunlight and channels it through a highly reflective tube to an interior ceiling diffuser. Installation takes 2-3 hours with a minimal roof opening. Works well in bathrooms, hallways, closets, and laundry rooms in Roanoke homes. Available in rigid and flexible tube configurations for routing around attic obstacles.
Roof windows are low-pitch operable units designed for installation on roof sections with pitches as low as 15 degrees. They open outward like a casement window and are ideal for attic conversions and bonus rooms in Roanoke homes where the roof slope is too shallow for a standard skylight. Velux and FAKRO offer roof window systems we install throughout the Roanoke area.
Some Roanoke homes — particularly custom builds, additions, and historic properties in Old Southwest or Grandin Village — require skylights that don't fit a standard catalog size. We install custom-size skylights and coordinate with specialty glazing suppliers for units that fit non-standard roof openings and unusual architectural configurations.
Storm damage, a fallen branch, or sudden skylight failure can leave a hole in your Roanoke roof that needs immediate attention. We respond to emergency skylight repair calls throughout Roanoke and can provide temporary protection to stop water intrusion while a permanent repair or replacement is being arranged.
Energy-Efficient Skylight Upgrades, Inspections, and Maintenance in Roanoke VA — What Makes Skylights Perform Long-Term
Energy-Efficient Skylight Upgrades
Single-pane skylights on older Roanoke homes are among the worst-performing components in the building envelope — they transmit heat directly in summer and shed heat rapidly in winter. Replacing them with modern double-pane low-E glazed units makes a meaningful difference in year-round comfort and HVAC load, particularly in rooms directly below the skylight. Velux's deck-mounted and curb-mounted units with LoE3 coated glass are Energy Star certified and significantly outperform what was standard in homes built before 2000.
For Roanoke homeowners who want the energy performance upgrade without the full skylight cost, adding an interior shade kit to an existing operable skylight cuts solar heat gain during summer months without requiring any roofwork. We install interior blind and shade kits from Velux for compatible units throughout the Roanoke area as a standalone service.
Skylight Inspection
A professional skylight inspection makes sense when you're buying or selling a Roanoke home, after a significant storm event, when you see any sign of moisture near the skylight, or when a skylight unit is 15+ years old and hasn't been professionally assessed since installation. We provide written skylight inspection reports with photos that document the condition of the unit, the flashing, the curb, and the surrounding roofing — useful for real estate transactions and insurance purposes.
Skylight Maintenance Services
Skylights benefit from periodic maintenance — typically every 3-5 years — that checks flashing joint conditions, clears debris from the curb base and adjacent valley areas, inspects glazing seal integrity, and verifies that operable units are operating and sealing correctly. The debris that accumulates against a skylight curb during fall in Roanoke — leaves, needles, small twigs — can dam water against the flashing and accelerate the leak conditions we're called to repair. We offer skylight maintenance checks as standalone services and as part of full roof maintenance visits throughout the Roanoke area.
- Double-pane low-E glass replacement
- Triple-pane upgrade for north-facing skylights
- Interior shade and blind kits for Velux units
- Solar-powered blind installation
- Rain sensor and auto-close upgrade on vented units
- Energy Star certified unit installation
- Full unit upgrade from single to double pane
- Glazing condition — fogging, cracks, UV damage
- Frame seal and gasket condition
- Step and counter-flashing integrity check
- Curb base moisture probe
- Debris clearing at curb and adjacent valleys
- Vented unit operation and seal test
- Written report with photos
- Urgency-ranked findings
The Flashing Is What Separates Us — and Why That Matters for Every Skylight We Touch
We fabricate custom step flashing, counter-flashing, and skylight saddles in-house. Most roofing contractors use stock kit flashing that doesn't always fit right. Our custom metalwork is built for your specific skylight, your specific roof pitch, and your specific roofline. That's what makes the difference between a skylight that doesn't leak and one that does.
We've been working on skylights on Roanoke homes since before solar-powered vented units existed. We know the types of skylights that were commonly installed in different eras of Roanoke construction, what their typical failure modes are, and what the right repair or replacement approach is for each one.
If your Roanoke skylight needs a flashing repair, we tell you that. If it needs full replacement, we say so. We don't upsell people to replacements when reflashing will fix the problem for years. We also don't do caulk-and-run repairs that buy one season and send you back to the phone next spring.
Fixed, vented, solar-powered, manual, roof windows, tubular skylights, custom sizes — we work on all of them. Velux, FAKRO, Sun-Tek, ODL, and older units from manufacturers that no longer make skylights. If it's on a Roanoke roof, we can inspect and assess it.
Free skylight inspections with written reports and photos — no obligation. You get accurate information about what's actually going on before you decide what to do about it. That's the right way to approach any repair or replacement decision on your Roanoke home.
Storm damage, sudden skylight failure, water actively coming through — we respond to emergency skylight calls in Roanoke around the clock. Temporary protection to stop water intrusion while a permanent solution is arranged. Call 540-890-0358 any time.
Common Skylight Questions From Roanoke Homeowners
Who does skylight installation and repair in Roanoke VA?++
Why is my skylight leaking in Roanoke?++
Should I repair or replace my leaking Roanoke skylight?++
What's the difference between a fixed and vented skylight?++
What is a tubular skylight and is it good for Roanoke homes?++
How long do skylights last in Roanoke VA?++
How much does skylight installation cost in Roanoke VA?++
Do energy-efficient skylights save money in Roanoke?++
What Roanoke neighborhoods do you serve for skylight work?++
My skylight is fogged — do I need a full replacement?++
Need a Skylight Contractor in Roanoke?
Whether your Roanoke skylight is leaking, fogged, needs replacement, or you want to add a new one — Melvin T. Morgan Roofing handles it from inspection through completion. We fabricate our own flashing, we've been in Roanoke since 1987, and we give you a straight answer before you spend a dollar. Free inspection, no pressure.