Done right, a skylight transforms a room. Done wrong, it leaks.
Where skylights work in Evanston
Stairwell tops in tall Victorians and Foursquares that would otherwise be dim. Galley kitchens with no exterior wall. Bathrooms with no window. Primary bath additions over the garage. North-facing skylights provide soft even light all day without heat gain.
Where they do not work
South-facing slopes without operable venting and shading — they overheat the room. Low-pitch (under 4/12) roofs without curb-mounted installation — the leak risk is too high. Roofs you plan to replace in under 5 years — wait and install the skylight with the new roof.
What we install
We work with factory-flashed kits sized to every common shingle and slate profile, paired with proper underlayment and curb-mounted installation on low-pitch slopes. The goal is the same on every install: a skylight that does not leak, period.
What it costs
A standard 2x4-foot fixed skylight on an asphalt shingle roof runs $2,200–$3,400 installed including interior trim. Operable (vented) skylights with rain sensors run $3,200–$4,800. Solar-powered shades add $400–$650.