Skylights for Studio City homes
Studio City sits where the Valley floor meets the Santa Monica Mountains, and its homes split the same way. On the flats north of Ventura Boulevard, there are 1940s to 1960s ranch houses and remodels with dark kitchens and hallways. In the hills south of Ventura, there are post-and-beam houses, hillside homes and new builds with complex roofs. We install, repair and replace skylights in both, and we’ve been in business in Los Angeles for 12 years.
The flats: Colfax Meadows and the streets north of Ventura
Most homes on the flats are single-story with low-pitch shingle roofs and a shallow attic. That makes them good candidates for a new skylight over a kitchen, bathroom or hallway. The rafters are usually evenly spaced, and the light shaft is short. In Valley heat, we recommend low-e glass, and a venting skylight in kitchens and bathrooms to let hot, damp air out. For a small bathroom or closet, a sun tunnel is often enough.
The hills: Laurel Canyon, Fryman, Coldwater and above
Hillside homes bring steep roofs, several roof levels, flat sections and long distances from roof to ceiling. Many mid-century post-and-beam houses here have flat or low-slope roofs with exposed beams, where the skylight shows from inside and has to line up with the structure. We do custom glass skylights when a standard size won’t suit the opening, such as a ridge skylight along a beam line or a large flat glass unit on a modern roof.
Access is part of the job in the hills. Steep driveways and narrow streets limit where we can set up, and we plan for that in the estimate.
Repairs and replacements
Many Studio City skylights are 20 to 30 years old. Acrylic domes go cloudy and brittle, the seals on older glass units fail and fog, and flashing added during a re-roof sometimes starts leaking. We’ll tell you honestly whether a repair will do it or the unit needs replacing.
Permits in Studio City
Studio City is part of the City of Los Angeles, so permits go through LADBS. A new opening needs a permit. Hillside properties can fall under the City’s hillside rules, and lots near Mulholland Drive may be inside the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan area, which can add review for exterior changes. We check the address before quoting and handle the permit and inspection.
Studio City skylight FAQ
Will a skylight make my Valley house hotter?
Not with the right glass. Low-e insulated glass blocks much of the heat, and a venting unit lets hot air escape.
Can you add a skylight to a post-and-beam ceiling?
Usually, between the beams. We plan the opening around the beam layout so it looks original.
My skylight only leaks in big storms. Does it need replacing?
Often it’s the flashing, not the skylight. See why skylights leak.
How much does a new skylight cost?
A basic new opening is roughly $4,000; replacing a standard unit is roughly $800 to $900. See the cost guide.
Call us at (213) 334-3947 for a free Studio City skylight estimate.
Nearby areas: Sherman Oaks & Encino · Burbank · Hollywood Hills · San Fernando Valley
Related reading: New installation · What it costs · All service areas