[FULL] Skylight Flashing Tutorial | Headwall, Step Flashing, Saddle Flashing, Counter Flashing

In this video we’ll show you how to install roof flashing around a skylight. Whether you are flashing the bottom, top, or sides of the skylight frame, there are different flashing methods that we use. The same process works when flashing around a chimney, so keep that in mind if you need to install flashing around a chimney.
The methods of properly flashing a skylight that we show you in this video will ensure that the skylight is waterproof and won’t cause any leaks or roofing issues. If you’re a homeowner, we recommend hiring a professional, licensed roofer rather than attempting any roofing work yourself.
0:00 Intro
0:09 explanation
0:38 head wall flashing
2:31 step flashing
8:52 saddle flashing
12:39 counter flashing
14:03 installing the skylight
This video is from our latest series, “The Shingle Roof Install Guide,” where we will walk you through every step of the process when installing a brand new shingle roof. From the drip edge to ice and water shield, from starter strip to flashing, we will give you all the details on how to install a shingle roof. So check out the rest of that series here: • Shingle Roof Install G...
We are a licensed and insured roofing contractor based in Burbank, CA, so keep that in mind when you watch our videos, as roofing regulations are different across the country.
We service the Los Angeles area, and if you’re looking for a trusted roofer, be sure to contact us today for a free estimate!
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[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Do you have a different method that you prefer for flashing around a skylight? Drop a comment letting me know!

[@christakisconstantinou1184]

😂wi

[@toddthreess9624]

This video helped me a lot this past weekend. Whoever last worked on my roof, took ice and water shield and ran it OVER the flashing all around the skylight. No step flashing, nothing. just butted the IWS into the corner of the flashing, shingles over that and called it done. I had to clean it all up and your video was very helpful. I put in all new step flashing and made sure the flashing that came with the skylight pokes out under all the shingles. I did run the IWS under everything and 4" up the side of the skylight. Rained pretty well last night and no leaks.

[@tonemeas6505]

Have the same problem,, its hard to find good people,, for the job,, happy you fix your 👍🏽👍🏽

[@junehongreborn]

@roofrepairspecialist what would be the differences when doing a skylight in a 4 season climate area?

[@jonbradshaw3385]

This is the best video description of flashing a skylight I have found.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Wow, thanks!

[@tj3688]

I watched this repeatedly to make sure I got it right. I had a leaking skylight that some goober built and had to remove the shingles and curbs they had put in to redo it properly. I think we're good now. Subscribed.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Love to hear that. Thanks for the subscribe

[@barbarahenn-pander5872]

Very informative. I also appreciate how graciously you hand tips, questions and even rather unpleasant comments! I live in the warmest part of Canada, and will check the codes for our area as you are in Sunny California! Thanks!!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad it was helpful, im happy to share what I know.

[@LaFollias]

Great lesson, clear and detail.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Many thanks!

[@saulmartinez6498]

This was thorough. Very well done.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@Nosweat99]

Loving your videos. Nice to see a professional in the roofing world. Keep on keeping on.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

More to come!

[@onelung83]

very good explanation on all the flashing steps. much appreciated!!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

You're welcome!

[@pupdog7374]

What a great video! Your compete explanation was outstanding.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@robertbruce5084]

Excellent video.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@larrybell5144]

Excellent technique! Thank you!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

You are so welcome!

[@telosfd]

Superb tutorial, thanks!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

You're welcome!

[@stanleyshedd2643]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad to hear it!

[@cotswoldsafety5749]

You are a very good instructor. Very useful for us in DIY.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulmcwilliams6730]

Great video

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thanks!

[@luisserpas7255]

Beautiful

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@tigerseye73]

Great info. I have 4 lites on my shop roof that will need to be replaced this next summer. I figured out most of the job, but your info is next level pro. Thanks much!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad to help

[@misientotrieste1221]

this was a very comprehensive detailed tutorial, KUDOS , thank you for this

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@luislau2284]

muchas gracias

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

no problem

[@look4wind]

Thanks for detailed video!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@2ndfl]

Very well presented !

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Many thanks!

[@dmitry-3048]

Thank you

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

You're welcome

[@iandeaner]

Wow, best video around, excellent explanation, amazing work. Real pro

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

I dont know about best, but we definitely try. Thanks you!

[@jacobsohn2761]

This was really helpful! Thank you.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Your welcome

[@mendoza59nm-76]

Very good guy’s

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@user-ox3wt4vn7l]

Exellent video thank you

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Very welcome

[@santiagoperez4040]

Thank you very much for the information you shared. I used to install flashing on a Chimney for my wood fired Pizza Oven.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Nice, I’ll take a pizza as a thank you 😀

[@joseescobedo7080]

I learned something today. Thank you.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad to help

[@lalomora4828]

Thanks for creating such an informative video. I feel more confident about inspecting skylights after watching it. The video helped me understand flashing concepts that are important in my home inspection class.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rogiervantilburg3440]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

You bet!

[@scampifrity]

This was very technical, a lot. I have to watch this 10 more times in order to grasp every step. I am new to this and I must say your videos are necessary to see before starting and immprovise.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Do your research and do it right the first time. Allot cheaper than easier than doing it again. I'm sure once you watch it a few times and maybe some other roofing and flashing videos it'll start making allot more sense. The basic concepts repeat with a few extra tips along the way.

[@scampifrity]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist Thank you a lot! Watching this particular video is exactly what we are doing. We plan to install the window in may 2023 until then we gather all infos ( while we practice in small scale ).

[@alibabaalibaba6785]

thanks

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

No problem

[@jonathanantheunus460]

Good skills, I learned a lot. Regards from Belgium.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@clivebarry3301]

Look good 👍

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thank you!

[@evelynperez7576]

Nice

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thanks

[@paulmcwilliams6730]

Nice job I was thought to cut shingles just a little back from light leaving small space

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

That is a good practice. Something we usually do as well.

[@patrickpeterman8736]

WOW !! GREAT VIDEO ; MUCHO GRATIAS AMIGO"!! I, 'LL REFER TO THIS VIDEO IN MY NEXT PROJECT "!!Patricio

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thanks again!

[@rancherranger5948]

Wow great video, good presentation, is it the same installation for a concrete tile roof which I have and it leaks with heavy rain. Light rain it Doesn’t leak.

[@bevandashwood1030]

I like how the lips were left running past on the sides at the saddle o top and down at the bottom for water shed.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Ya, little details go a long way

[@Deltaconcepts]

Thank you so much. I needed this and really appreciate it. I cannot afford to have a pro do work for me.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gerardor1979]

Thank you for these great tutorials. I'm curious to know how do you approach flashing on an already installed roof AC unit when replacing shingles? A video would be ideal since I am sure you've encountered a situation like that one.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

All the time, but every AC unit is different and definitely presents its own challenges.

[@JesusSaves827]

Great video. Very professional. I’m trying to solve a problem with slight water leak from skylight. I think I sealed in the bottom of skylight with Karnak roofing sealer and now water can’t escape so it ends up leaking inside. What caulking did you use in this video.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

We use ChemLink M1, however there are allot of great caulkings on the market. The correct flashing is far more important than the caulking.

[@Cozcacuauhtli]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jamesgreenmont]

Great video and wish there was a link to the cricket install you mentioned

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Need to make a video on that.

[@thepeterharrison123]

This was an incredibly informative video, thank you. Not sure if you are still responding to questions, but here's mine. For the saddle flashing, you cut it flush with the skylight box, leaving a small lip that extends past each end. Why do you cut out the excess piece instead of wrapping it around the skylight box? And if the purpose of the lip is to direct water away from the corner, why not have an angled lip instead of a uniform lip of what appears to be about 1 inch? Thank you.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Wrapping it would work, I like the idea, definitely doesn’t hurt. If I understand the second part correctly I think leaving it straight is better as you’re not trying to direct the water necessarily, you’re trying to keep the water away from the corner.

[@georgecastillo6548]

Thank you for good explanation and showing us to the video thank you again

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

My pleasure!

[@gtcam723]

I’m watching this and really kind of want to put some sealant between the shingle and the step flashing because it’ll likely be months before the preapplied shingle adhesive is warm enough to stick.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

I dont have experience in cold weather climates. Definitely would hurt.

[@asadadil8695]

5:18 the fourth nail that Marco is putting in the shingle near the framing is redundant because you will nail this area of the shingle anyway when you nail the upper edge of the step flashing there. the nails that will go through the step flashing, they will also go through that part of the shingle underneath them, so no need to nail the same location of the shingle twice

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

True, however I don't think it hurts, just definitely not needed. I have to say, I appreciate your attention to detail Asad.

[@aaronlauer8378]

Thank you so much what a great video! Couple of questions if you have a chance. How do you fasten the curb to the roof? I was guessing it was toenailed but wasn’t sure. Also, if placing down roll flashing/ice and water shield, does it go over the roofing felt or under it? And finally, any tips for sealing off a tree growing through a roof penetration? Thanks again!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Hey Aaron, I'll try to answer best as I can. Usually it's just toe nailed, sometimes simpson straps are used, 90degree brackets. The ice and water shield can go either way, generally we install it prior to underlayment. I believe that is what OC recommends. Lastly sealing around a growing tree; I have not done this, I have seen people use flexible EDPM flashing, its rolled flashing used on metal roofs.

[@aaronlauer8378]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the help.

[@MrTooTechnical]

Great vid. Just one additional thing. Keep the shingles away from the step flashing by at least one inch. Thanks.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Interesting, I was thinking about this the other day. I need to look into this detail. I am curious to see what manufacturer specs says on this. Thanks for the tip

[@leeknighton5113]

No not an inch about a quarter inch.

[@MrTooTechnical]

No. 1 inch.

[@fernandodelgadomayorga6182]

thank yoy. Lo mismo, pero para un techo de chapa ondulada?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

No, different For sure.

[@joshuav4596]

Yeah, not sure how much you all deal with snow where youre at, but we run Ice and water around the entire frame of the skylight to stop any need for sealant. Flash and roof everything and its done.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

We're in So Cal, no snow here. But in places that do get snow for sure Ice & Water Shield like your saying, I would still do sealant on top of that.

[@joshuav4596]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist yes, we always ran the 2300 geocel on top, sealed each of our fasteners as well for bullet proof installations. Ice out here can break through roofing up to 4 feet up the slope of the deck, which is why so much caution is taken during the job.

[@GabrieLight]

This is good. In your opinion, which material is better for the skylight frames? Aluminum or wood?!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

I think wood is easier to work with and if you do a proper job waterproofing it you wont have any issues with wood rotting.

[@GabrieLight]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist Thanks for reply, mate!

[@zzz7zzz9]

the lower flashing, we call wall flashing, and we make sure it's the same colour as the step flashing, to match the colour of roofing. and what you are calling saddle flashing, we call back-pan, and also make sure it matches the colour of the step flashing.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Are you guys able to find it pre painted? we have to paint it ourselves which is nowhere as good as a factory finish.

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist ya, all the roofing suppliers stock it. All metal, step, wall, valley, backpans, etc, come in white, brown, black, grey. And i'm in canada, so surely the states has that too.

[@Mcv2023]

Do you have a video on skylight flashing for Empire ribbed metal roof?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

No we don't work with any metal roofs. I would recommend looking elsewhere., I have seen some good videos out there on metal roofs.

[@BaAllen7239]

I noticed new flashing kits are very expensive (I'm hoping to install 6 windows) but the sheet metal doesnt seem too complicated to cut to size and buy an inexpensive bender. Is there anything I'm missing if I were to go that route?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

No, if you bend your own flashing that is totally fine. By us pre bent flashing is very cheap and easy to find.

[@stumpynubs5387]

Is apron flashing aluminum or galvanized?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Galvanized

[@michaelxie4652]

What about corrugated iron roof?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Don’t have much experience on those

[@Sam-kn2mm]

So how do I repair my skylight frame? Can I take just a few shingles off than replace them after I rebuild the frame?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Not sure what you mean by frame. If you mean the curb replace the curb than follow the steps in this video to reflash.

[@Sam-kn2mm]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist Yeah i probably mean the curb, looks like (from the ground) the 2x4 is completely rotted away. Thanks, ill give it a try

[@1973kbg]

Please share the link for how to install cricket on skylights

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Don't have that yet. I will add that to my list.

[@LO-cd7ze]

Aren't the roofing shingle supposed to be staggered?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Yes, most definitely. In this video we were just showing how to install the flashing around the skylight. You can watch our other video in the series, I show how to install and stagger shingles.

[@stumpynubs5387]

aluminum or galvanized flashing ?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Galvanized

[@ittech2254]

Should go all the way up the side of the wood 2x6 so the skylight will rest down over the flashing , not short of it.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thats what I discuss and show the last step of the video

[@TwoFacedTony]

Shouldn’t those shingles be staggered?

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Yes, In this video I was just showing the step flashing install not shingle pattern

[@mrjedmonds1]

“He’s actually using his tin snips right now to ahhhh….. to make a line”

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

?

[@gregorykapanowski9540]

Why wouldnt you use the same color metal that you used for the step flashing that makes no sense. Plus you should put a counter flashing all the way around the skylight.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

The other flashings don't come in the same pre finished color. I don't think counter flashing is necessary as long as the skylight comes on top of the step flashing. It wont hurt though.

[@andygyultemiryan5198]

You better use right sheet metal cutters to cut your sheet metal.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

As apposed to wrong ones?

[@ezequieltorres3597]

Es mejor aser los saraos soldar

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Ya

[@santiagogarcia8903]

No ice & water 💦 no bueno !!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

We're in So Cal, not to much Ice around here. We only put in the valley's

[@foxwood67]

This is Southern California style roofing. Not acceptable in most wet climates. Be careful.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

How do you guys do it?

[@Deltaconcepts]

Yeah they have no comment. Trolls

[@ShaneHolly]

lol.. that skylight was ready for gods next world drowning.

[@sergiobalino836]

​@@RoofRepairSpecialistadd ice and water shield underlayment around the penetration before the baby tins

[@tonesmith909]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist Only one piece metal roofs in the rest of the entire United States 😂

[@humrod1852]

"For years to come"...I think 2 or 3 years would count as " for years to come". How come the Mexicans never talk? :) The ones with the scarred up knuckles!

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

👎

[@brentfrank7012]

This is NOT how you should flash a skylight. This is exactly why skylights get a bad reputation for leaking. Don’t follow this example.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Why? Give some details on how you do it differently

[@michaelmendoza51]

Great video

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thanks!