Short Answer
AK Roofing 3D installs, replaces, and repairs skylights throughout Brooklyn, NY. We fit fixed, vented, and tubular skylights on flat, low-slope, and pitched roofs, build proper curbs, flash every penetration watertight, and finish the interior shaft. We also fix leaking and fogged units. Call +1 646-492-0756 or request a free quote. We answer 7 AM–9 PM daily, with 24/7 emergency service by phone.
Why a Brooklyn Skylight Contractor Matters
AK Roofing 3D (legally AKT Construction NY Inc.) is a licensed Brooklyn skylight and roofing contractor based at 666 Hemlock St, Brooklyn, NY 11208. A skylight is not just a window in the ceiling. It is a hole cut through the most weather-exposed surface of your building, and everything about whether it leaks or lasts comes down to how that opening is framed and flashed.
Brooklyn makes this harder than the suburbs. Row houses and brownstones tend to have flat or low-slope membrane roofs, so most installs here are curb-mounted units, not the deck-mounted skylights you see on steep suburban shingle roofs. Deep row-house floor plans run front to back with windows only at the two ends, so interior rooms and stair halls sit in permanent gloom; a skylight is often the only honest way to get daylight into the middle of the house. Cold winters drive condensation on glazing that is not detailed correctly, and structural openings usually require NYC DOB permits because you are cutting roof framing.
We serve greater Brooklyn, including Bushwick, Crown Heights, Park Slope, and Bed-Stuy.
What a Skylight Actually Is
A skylight is a glazed opening set into the roof to bring daylight, and sometimes ventilation, into the space below. The unit you see is only part of the system. Underneath sits the curb or deck mount, the flashing kit that ties it into the roof surface, and the interior light shaft that carries daylight down to the ceiling. On a Brooklyn flat roof, the most important part is the one you never see: the flashing where the unit meets the membrane.
People use a few terms loosely. A "roof window" is a unit on a sloped roof you can reach and operate from inside. A "sun tunnel" or "tubular skylight" is a small reflective tube that pipes daylight into a single room without a full framed opening. A traditional skylight is the larger fixed or vented unit over a built shaft. Each solves a different problem, which we compare below.
Services Included
We handle residential brownstones and row houses as well as commercial and mixed-use buildings across Brooklyn.
- Skylight installation. New fixed, vented, or tubular units on flat, low-slope, and pitched roofs, including the framed opening, curb, flashing, and finished interior shaft.
- Skylight replacement. Swapping out an old, leaking, or fogged unit, usually as part of or alongside a roof replacement so the new skylight and new membrane are integrated as one watertight system.
- Leak repair. Tracing and fixing leaks at the flashing, curb, or glazing seal. Most "skylight leaks" are actually flashing failures, not the glass.
- Fixed skylights. Non-opening units that maximize daylight at the lowest cost and the fewest moving parts to fail.
- Vented skylights. Manual or electric opening units that release rising heat and moisture, useful over kitchens, bathrooms, and stair halls.
- Tubular skylights (sun tunnels). Compact reflective tubes for closets, hallways, and small bathrooms where a full opening is impractical.
- Curb-mounted and deck-mounted units. Curb-mounted on flat and low-slope membrane roofs, deck-mounted where a sloped roof allows.
- Roof windows and accessories. Operable roof windows plus blinds, shades, rain sensors, and remotes.
- Solar attic fans. Roof-mounted solar ventilation that pulls hot, damp air out of the top of the house.
Because a skylight is a roof penetration, this work connects directly to our roofing services and waterproofing services. If you have a metal roof, see our guide on installing a skylight on a metal roof in Brooklyn.
Our Process, Step by Step
- Assessment. We inspect the roof, the framing below, and the ceiling space to confirm where a skylight can go, what type fits, and whether the roof itself is sound enough to cut into. We flag any DOB permit needs for structural openings up front.
- Framing. We cut the opening and build a properly sized, headed-off framed curb. The curb raises the unit above the roof plane, which is what keeps water from sitting against the glass on a flat or low-slope roof.
- Flashing. This step decides everything. We integrate the unit with a flashing kit, lapping membrane and metal so water always sheds away from the opening. On EPDM or TPO flat roofs we tie the flashing into the membrane so the skylight becomes part of the roof, not a patch on top of it.
- Finishing. We build and finish the interior light shaft, then insulate and detail it to control condensation in cold winters. We close up drywall and trim so the finished opening looks intended, not cut in.
- Water test and walkthrough. We confirm the unit operates, check the seal, and walk you through care and warranty.
What Drives the Cost
A few things move skylight pricing, and a real estimate accounts for all of them rather than quoting one flat number:
- Skylight type. Fixed costs less than vented; an electric vented unit with sensors costs more than a manual one. Tubular units are usually the cheapest daylight option.
- Roof type and mount. Curb-mounted work on a flat membrane roof differs from deck-mounted on a slope, and the flashing detail changes with it.
- Framing and structure. Cutting and heading off rafters or joists, especially on an older row house, adds labor and may require a DOB permit.
- Shaft length and finish. A deep row-house ceiling needs a longer interior shaft to build and finish.
- Glazing and accessories. Low-E glass, impact glazing, blinds, and rain sensors add to the unit cost.
- Roof condition. If the surrounding membrane is near end of life, replacing it around the new unit protects the install.
The ranges below are typical Brooklyn ranges, not a quote. Your actual price depends on the assessment. For a fuller breakdown, see how much skylight installation costs in Brooklyn.
| Service | Typical Brooklyn Range (estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tubular skylight (sun tunnel) | $700–$1,800 | Per unit, installed; simplest daylight option |
| Fixed skylight, installed | $1,500–$3,500 | Includes curb, flashing, basic shaft |
| Vented skylight, installed | $2,500–$5,500+ | Manual to electric with sensors |
| Skylight leak / flashing repair | $400–$1,500 | Depends on cause and access |
| Skylight replacement | $1,800–$4,500+ | Often paired with roof work |
For an exact figure on your building, get a quote.
Fixed vs. Vented vs. Tubular: How to Choose
The right skylight depends on what you need it to do. Here is how the three main types compare.
| Type | Best For | Daylight | Ventilation | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Maximum light, lowest maintenance | High | None | $ |
| Vented | Kitchens, baths, stair halls | High | Yes (opens) | $$ |
| Tubular (sun tunnel) | Closets, halls, small rooms | Moderate | None | $ (lowest) |
A fixed skylight is the choice when you only want daylight and the fewest things that can fail. A vented unit costs more but earns it over a kitchen or bath, where releasing heat and moisture helps with both comfort and condensation. A tubular skylight is the smart pick when a full opening is impractical; it brings real daylight into a windowless hall or closet for a fraction of the cost and disruption.
Why AK Roofing 3D
We are a licensed Brooklyn contractor with a 5.0 Google rating, and we treat a skylight as a roof penetration first and a window second. That order matters. The most common skylight complaint, by far, is a leak, and almost every one traces back to flashing that was never tied into the roof correctly. We build the curb and integrate the flashing into your EPDM, TPO, or sloped roof so the unit sheds water for the life of the roof. For metal roofs, our guide on the best metal roofing for your home covers how the deck affects the detail.
You can reach a real person 7 AM–9 PM daily, and we offer 24/7 emergency service by phone for active leaks. See examples of completed work in our gallery, or learn more about us and how we work across Brooklyn.
When a Skylight Is Not the Right Call
Honesty saves you money and headaches. A skylight is not always the answer, and a good contractor tells you when.
If the roof membrane is near end of life, cutting a new opening into it is the wrong sequence; the roof should be addressed first or the skylight folded into a roof replacement. If the framing below cannot safely take an opening without major structural work, the cost and DOB process may outweigh the benefit, and a tubular unit might get you the daylight with far less disruption. If the real issue is trapped moisture or a damp interior, the fix may be ventilation or waterproofing rather than glass overhead. We will tell you which one you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
A properly installed skylight should not leak. When one does, the cause is almost always the flashing, not the glass. We prevent leaks by building a raised curb on flat and low-slope roofs and integrating the flashing kit directly into your EPDM, TPO, or sloped roof surface so water always sheds away from the opening. Correct flashing is the entire job.
Often, yes. Cutting a structural opening through roof framing typically requires an NYC DOB permit because you are altering the building's structure. The exact requirements depend on the work and the building. We flag permit needs during the assessment so there are no surprises, and we plan the job around doing it correctly the first time.
Yes. Most Brooklyn row houses and brownstones have flat or low-slope membrane roofs, and the right solution is almost always a curb-mounted skylight. We build a curb that raises the unit above the roof plane so water cannot pond against the glass, then tie the flashing into your membrane. This is routine work for us across greater Brooklyn.
A traditional skylight is a larger fixed or vented unit set over a built interior shaft, delivering strong daylight and, if vented, airflow. A sun tunnel, or tubular skylight, is a small reflective tube that pipes daylight from the roof into one room without a full framed opening. Sun tunnels cost less and suit closets, halls, and small baths where a full skylight is impractical.
That is usually condensation, not a leak. Warm, humid indoor air meets cold glass and the moisture condenses, common in Brooklyn's cold winters over kitchens and baths. The fixes are a well-insulated shaft, low-E glazing, and ventilation, often a vented skylight or a solar attic fan. If a unit is fogged between the panes, the seal has failed and it needs replacement.
Usually, yes. If a skylight is older or already showing problems, replacing it during a roof job means the new unit and new membrane are integrated as one watertight system, with the flashing done fresh. Installing a new skylight into an old roof, or leaving an old skylight in a new roof, creates the exact seam where future leaks start.
A straightforward single unit is often a one to two day job: cutting and framing the opening, building the curb, flashing, and finishing the interior shaft. Longer interior shafts on deep row houses, structural framing work, permit timelines, or pairing the install with roof work can extend that. We give you a realistic schedule after the assessment.
Get Daylight Into Your Brooklyn Home
Whether you want a new skylight, a replacement during a roof job, or a fix for a leaking or fogged unit, AK Roofing 3D is ready. Get a free quote or contact us to schedule. Call +1 646-492-0756, 7 AM–9 PM daily, with 24/7 emergency service by phone. Email akroofing3d@gmail.com. We are at 666 Hemlock St, Brooklyn, NY 11208.