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Prime Buyers Guide Skylight Companies

How to Find the Best Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County

Natural light is a great way to make a space seem larger and more open. Quality skylight companies in Santa Clara County can help brighten a room by installing modern, affordable skylights, solar tubes and sky tubes. The Prime Buyer's Report can help you locate the best skylight contractors in Santa Clara County, including those in San Jose, Mountain View, Los Gatos, Cupertino and Gilroy.

The following research by The Prime Buyer's Report identifies the best skylight companies in Santa Clara County and issues related to buying skylights & skylight repair.

Updated January 15, 2013

Top 10 Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County

Sunlight Concepts
(408) 844-0081
1130 Walsh Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95050

Areas Served: Santa Clara, San Jose, Mt View, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Campbell CA

Screen Shop
(408) 295-7384
601 Hamline St
San Jose, CA 95110

Areas Served: San Jose, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Campbell CA, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Mt View, Palo Alto

California Skylights
(408) 392-9300
2250 Paragon Dr
San Jose, CA 95131

Areas Served: San Jose, Campbell CA, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Mt View, Milpitas, Los Altos

Greenhouses Etc
(408) 446-1224
1522 S De Anza Blvd
San Jose, CA 95129

Areas Served: Mt View, San Jose, Campbell CA, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Los Altos

A-Z Discount Skylight
(408) 243-4591
1002 Obrien Ct
San Jose, CA 95126

Areas Served: San Jose, Campbell CA, Santa Clara, Mt View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Palo Alto

J C Barry Skylights Mfr
(408) 377-0105
559 Campbell Technology Pkwy
Campbell, CA 95008

Areas Served: San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Campbell CA, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Palo Alto

J & M Glass Co
(408) 371-7255
745 E Mcglincy Ln
Campbell, CA 95008

Areas Served: Santa Clara, San Jose, Campbell CA, Sunnyvale, Mt View, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Los Altos

Lentz Construction Inc
(408) 264-0555
5087 Maitland Dr
San Jose, CA 95124

Areas Served: Milpitas, San Jose, Saratoga, Santa Clara, Campbell CA, Morgan Hill, Sunnyvale CA

How to Find the Best Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County 

Skylights and solar tubes can bring light into hard-to-reach areas such as service porches, halls or even closets without the cost of electricity. From full, large skylights that bring natural light into a large room to small tubular skylights known as solar tubes or sun tubes, ideal for smaller spaces or ones with a direct line of sight to a suitable roof area, skylights can add beauty while saving money. But there are differences in styles and function and it can get confusing. The Prime Buyer's Report has compiled a list of some of the best skylight companies in Santa Clara County along with some things to consider before buying new skylights or hiring skylight contractors and skylight installers.

Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County Offer Many Types of Skylights. Solar Tubes and Services
A great way to get an airy, natural-light feel in a home is installing skylights or solar tubes. Among other benefits, they reduce the amount of artificial lighting needed, which means that good skylights can save you money on your energy bill! Residential skylights, commercial skylights, solar tubes, skylights for new construction and many choices for custom skylights are available.

The skylight industry has recently focused on energy conservation, and the products offered can reduce your heating and cooling costs, while requiring little maintenance. Some skylight dealers and skylight installers in Santa Clara County can preserve aging materials (such as rubber seals or wood frames), offer custom replacement skylights, or custom-designed glass for a classic or contemporary look. Some skylights can open either manually or at the touch of a button, so you can enjoy the sky and fresh air right in your home. If you just want some natural light in a small space, consider tubular skylights for hallways, bathrooms, closets, and laundry rooms from one of these Santa Clara County skylight companies.

Skylight companies in Santa Clara County have many available styles and types of skylights and solar tubes, including electric skylights, electrically-operated skylights, ventilating skylights, fixed skylights, tubular skylights, sun tubes, flat skylights, round skylights, polygon skylights, dome skylights, and pyramid skylights. Also available are hip-ridge skylights, ridge skylights, patio skylights, lean-to skylights, barrel vault skylights, kitchen skylights, bathroom skylights, bedroom skylights, attic skylights, roof windows, hinged roof windows, and others. Many Santa Clara County skylight centers offer a variety of the most respected brand names. (See "Brands of Skylights" below.)

The Prime Buyer's Report Can Brighten Your Outlook On Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County
The Prime Buyer's Report lists these skylight companies in Santa Clara County: Sunlight Concepts, California Skylights, J C Barry Skylights Mfr, A-Z Discount Skylight, Lentz Construction Inc, J & M Glass Co, Screen Shop, Greenhouses Etc, Renaissance Builders. Other skylight installers who might still serve Santa Clara County include: .

For a full list of resources for the skylight industry, check out The Prime Buyer's Report article, "Key Resources for Skylights in Santa Clara County."

 

 

Questions To Ask Skylight Contractors in Santa Clara County 

Step 1: Describe Work Desired From The Santa Clara County Skylight Companies
Explain what you need from the Santa Clara County skylight contractors or solar tube installers. Note colors, materials, measurements, and style preferences. Make sure your measurements are correct and that you consistently present the information.

Step 2: Ask & Answer Questions of the Skylight & Solar Tube Companies in Santa Clara County
Take note of the issues brought up by the representatives of the skylight dealers or skylight contractors. How detailed are their inquiries? Do they just want to make a quick sale for new skylights or do they seem dedicated to helping you with every detail of your new skylight project? Here are a few questions to ask:

  • How long have you been in the skylight or solar tube business in Santa Clara County?
  • Are you a certified skylight dealer of any brand-name skylight manufacturers?
  • Can you provide the specific type of skylights or solar tubes I'm looking for?
  • Will you deliver my purchase of new skylights to the site, and, if so, is there an extra charge?
  • Do you custom design any skylights or solar tubes?
  • Can you special order skylights or sun tubes that aren't in stock?
  • Can you provide installation of skylights or sun tubes?
  • Will you provide a written sales agreement for the new skylights?
  • How do you price your skylights or solar tubes?
  • What type of warranty do you offer for your new skylights?

Step 3: Making a Preliminary Decision Among Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County
Narrow the field using the information you've gathered and prioritize which factors are the most important. Weigh these in your decision to assess which skylight dealers or skylight contractors will be the best for you. Don't forget to ask yourself which sales team you felt the most comfortable dealing with. This is integral to satisfactory completion of the sale and any follow up services you may need from skylight installers or skylight dealers.

 

 

Resources About Skylight Companies & Solar Tube Dealers 

Licensing & Trade Associations for Skylights in Santa Clara County
BBB Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.com/)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
Skylight/Sloped Glazing Council http://www.aamanet.org/general/2/147/skylight-sloped-glazing


Media & Web Publication for Skylight Companies & Solar Tube Dealers
Door and Skylight Manufacturer Magazine



The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the TOP 10 Skylights in Santa Clara County within the following zip codes:

94022, 94023, 94024, 94035, 94039, 94040, 94041, 94042, 94043, 94085, 94086, 94087, 94088, 94089, 94301, 94302, 94303, 94304, 94305, 94306, 94309, 95002, 95008, 95009, 95011, 95013, 95014, 95015, 95020, 95021, 95026, 95030, 95031, 95032, 95035, 95036, 95037, 95038, 95042, 95044, 95046, 95050, 95051, 95052, 95054, 95055, 95056, 95070, 95071, 95101, 95103, 95106, 95108, 95109, 95110, 95111, 95112, 95113, 95115, 95116, 95117, 95118, 95119, 95120, 95121, 95122, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95127, 95128, 95129, 95130, 95131, 95132, 95133, 95134, 95135, 95136, 95138, 95139, 95140, 95141, 95148, 95150, 95151, 95152, 95153, 95154, 95155, 95156, 95157, 95158, 95159, 95160, 95161, 95164, 95170, 95172 and 95173



The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the TOP 10 Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County within the following cities:

Alviso, Blossom Valley, Campbell, Coyote, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Gilroy, Holy City, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monta Vista, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Mt Hamilton, Mt View, New Almaden, Palo Alto, Permanente, Redwood Est, Redwood Estates, San Jose, San Martin, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Stanford and Sunnyvale

 

 

Tips for Buying New Skylights or Hiring Skylight Contractors in Santa Clara County 

Take Time Choosing Among Skylight Companies & Solar Tube Installers.
New skylights and solar tubes or sun tubes can dramatically brighten the interior of your home, but proper skylight installation is essential. Since you want the best results, it's best to slow down and make sure that all of your new skylight needs are being taken care of.

Write a Description of Your Requirements of the Skylight Contractors.
Bring more than vague ideas for new skylights or solar tubes to the table: Do some research, visit several skylight showrooms, and identify brands and styles of new skylights you prefer. Are the skylights or solar tubes for a single room that needs more light? Do you want new skylights and solar tubes as part of a remodel? The skylight companies will be less likely to sell you something you don't need if you educate yourself. Then, after speaking with the representatives of the skylight companies, you can judge which skylight dealers or skylight installers are the best fit.

Get Estimates from Different Skylight Contractors of Solar Tube Installers
Shop around, get a few estimates for the new skylighting systems, and find which products you like best. Some skylight stores are licensed to sell a certain line of new skylights only, which can be both good and bad. It's good because smaller, specialized skylight dealers often have the best service and product knowledge. On the other hand, you won't be able to compare the pros and cons of other skylight brands on the spot, as you could in a chain store.

Everything Should Be in Writing From the Skylight Companies in Santa Clara County.
Make sure that the skylight companies in Santa Clara County provide you with a written description of the new skylights or solar tubes or their installation, and pricing and any applicable warranty information.

Check Credentials of the Skylight & Solar Tube Companies.
For any purchase of new skylights or new solar tubes, be sure to check for any manufacturer certifications, workers' compensation, liability insurances and any other relevant credentials before you sign a sales agreement with the skylight contractors or skylight dealers.


Stay Involved Through The Installation of the Skylights or Solar Tubes.
Don't be afraid to ask questions or voice objections or changes of heart to the skylight installers. Your input has a direct impact on your satisfaction with the purchase, so speak up.

Do Not Accept an Inferior Skylighting Systems.
Before you leave the skylight dealers or accept delivery of your new skylights, scrutinize your new purchase. If it shows any signs of damage or inferior manufacturing, or if it doesn't match the new skylighting system product order that you signed, have the skylight dealer take it back.

Know Your Rights As A Buyer of New Skylights in Santa Clara County CA.
Consumers are protected by some special rights, depending on where they live. You're dealing with skylight companies in Santa Clara County, so check out the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Make Sure The Skylight Contractors or Skylight Dealers Can Fully Accommodate You.
If certain skylight companies can't seem to be able to meet your needs (through product selection, timing, or attitude), then take your business for new skylights or new solar tubes elsewhere. Good skylight companies be able to accommodate your skylighting system needs in their entirety; demand nothing less.

 

 

Research on New Skylights, Replacement Skylights, Tubular Skylights and Other Skylight Systems in Santa Clara County 

 

Common Skylight Terms

Acrylic Skylight - Skylights made from acrylic materials such as thermoplastic resins such as Lucite and Plexiglas.  

Air Leakage - The amount of air that leaks from a skylight, especially the area around a skylight installation. Air leakage is rated in cubic feet. Skylight air leakage can be minimized by using insulated skylights and by hiring experienced skylight installers who know how to properly seal off all new skylight installations.

Cap / Counter Flashing - It is important to protect and waterproof skylight installations by using good caps and counter flashing on the exposed edges.

Cladding - An exterior skylight covering that improves skylight appearance and protects skylights from exposure to the elements.

Condensation Gutters - Condensation gutters are troughs built around skylights. Condensation gutters let condensed water drain or evaporate away from the skylight.

Condensation Resistance Factor - Condensation Resistance Factor (CRF) measures how well skylights resist condensation on the inside of the skylight. High condensation resistance factors (CRF) indicate the skylight is better at resisting condensation. This is especially important in areas where skylights will be exposed to harsh weather or extreme temperature fluctuations.

Curb or Base Flashing - The skylight curb or skylight flashing is part of a skylight that waterproofs the sealed edges.

Curb Mount - Curb mount is a skylight frame design that mounts the skylight installation as a permanent part of the building.

Daylighting - When skylights, light tubes, solartubes, Solatubes or natural light openings are placed in ceilings and walls to bring in daylight. Daylighting helps reduce energy use by filtering in natural light instead of artificial lighting.

Dome Rise - The height of the skylight dome.

Dome Skylight - A dome skylight (domed skylight) is a skylight with a dome-like shape. Dome skylights come in many sizes and shades from clear acrylic to white skylights.

Dome Spring Line - Also called the point of curvature, a skylight dome spring line is where the dome of the skylight begins to rise.

Fiberglass Reinforced Polyesters (FRP) - Fiberglass reinforced polyester is the strong, reinforced material skylights are made of. This makes the skylight resistant to weather and chemicals and can be molded into any shape or size.

Haze Factor - Skylight haze factor is the percent of light entering the skylight that is not diffused, or scattered. The haze factor percentage is equal to the percent of light that is diffused by the skylight, for example, a 90 percent haze factor means that 90 percent of light is diffused or scattered by the skylight. All skylights must have at least 90 percent haze factor to comply with skylight codes.

High Impact Acrylic - Many skylights are made from high impact acrylic. High impact acrylic skylights are able to withstand jarring impacts, making for safer skylights.

Hurricane Resistant Skylights - Skylights built to withstand hurricane-strength winds and debris are called hurricane resistant skylights.

Light Tube - Also known as light pipes, sun pipes, tubular skylights, solatubes or daylight pipes, light tubes are used like skylights for bringing natural light into homes. Many light tube installations are in homes and businesses, and some light tubes are used in underground buildings.

Live Loads - Temporary weight loads skylights have to support. Skylight live loads may include people or maintenance equipment. There are strict live load requirements for skylights, tubular skylights, solartubes and dome skylights.

Low Emittance Coating / Low-E Coating - A special skylight coating that helps insulate the skylights from losing heat from the home or bringing heat into the home through the skylight. Energy efficient skylights have low emittance coatings that limit the energy lost through the skylight, tubular skylight or solatube.

Muntin - The dividers between skylight layers.

Natural Light Skylights - Skylights that bring in natural light. Natural Light Skylights is also a skylight company that provides all kinds of skylights and sun tunnels and provides skylight repair.

Solatube - A particular brand of solartube or sky tube.

Self-Flashing - Self-flashing is the base of a skylight that mounts directly to the building surface.

Skylight - Skylights are domes or openings in the ceiling of homes and businesses that admit daylight into the building. Skylights may take the form of a dome skylight, bubble skylight, solartube or tubular skylight.

Skylight Blinds / Skylight Shades - Skylight blinds and skylight shades act just like other blinds and shades to block out daylight and provide privacy. Insulating skylight blinds are available to keep heating and cooling costs low.

Skylight Flashing - Skylight flashing is an important part of skylight installation. Skylight flashing is a material that controls rain and keeps it from leaking into the skylight opening.

Skylight Installation - The act of installing skylights. Home skylight installation (also called DIY skylight installation) is possible, but there are many good skylight installation companies that are available to install replacement skylights or new skylights.

Skylight Pane / Skylight Panel - The acrylic sheet or jointless surface of a skylight is referred to as the skylight pane. Also called a skylight panel.

Skylight Tube - Also called light pipes, light tubes, sun pipes, sun tunnels, tubular skylights, solatubes, solartubes or daylight pipes. Skylight tubes bring in natural light.

Skylites - Skylites is a common misspelling of the word skylights. There is also a skylight manufacturer called American Skylites that builds custom skylights and replacement skylights.

Snow Load - The weight snow places on a skylight. Skylights have to bear snow load for longer amounts of time, so it is important to find skylights with high snow load ratings if you live in an area with heavy snowfall.

Solartube - Also known as light pipe, light tube, sun pipe, tubular skylight or daylight pipe, a solartube brings natural light into homes like a skylight. Many homes and businesses have solartube installations, and some are used for underground buildings and subways.

Sun Tube / Sun Tunnel - A sun tube (also called a sun tunnel) is a light skylight tube or sun pipe that funnels natural light into homes much like skylights. Sun tubes and sun tunnels, like solartubes and solatubes, are more energy efficient than older skylights because they have smaller surface areas for energy to escape.

Tube Skylight / Tubular Skylight - Tube skylights or tubular skylights are skylight tubes that are easy to install, don't leak and are much more energy efficient skylights than traditional dome skylights or bubble skylights.

Visible Light Transmittance - Visible light transmittance (VT) is the measure of the amount of light transmitted by a skylight.

Wasco Skylights - Wasco Skylights are commercial and residential skylights built by the Wasco company. Wasco builds skylights, curb mount skylights, octagonal skylights, hurricane resistant skylights and sun tunnels.

Weep Hole - Holes drilled into skylight frames that drain condensation are called weep holes. Weep holes can make skylights less energy efficient as they can release heat. Some skylight manufacturers don't build a weep hole into their new skylights, instead relying on a condensation gutter.

Wind Load - Short duration load on a structure and its components due to the effects of the wind.

 

 

 

Popular Skylight Manufacturers and Natural Light Skylights Offered

American Skylites

Acrylic skylights
Commercial skylights
Curb mount skylights
Custom skylight systems
Dome skylights
Fall protection skylights
Insulated skylights
Plastic skylights
Polycarbonate skylights
Pyramid skylights / pyramid dome skylights
Replacement skylights
Residential skylights
Thermal skylights
Natural light skylight systems
Venting skylights

Andersen Skylights  

Insulated skylights
Commercial skylights
Laminated skylights
Low-E skylights / low-emittance skylights
Natural light skylight installations
Rectangle skylights
Replacement skylights
Residential skylights / home skylights
Synthetic skylights
Tempered skylights
Venting skylights
Vinyl skylights

Insula-Dome Skylights

Acrylic skylights
Commercial skylight systems
Custom skylights
Dome skylights
Openable skylights
Plastic skylights
Residential skylights / home skylights
Rolling skylights
Skylight design
Skylight fabrication
Sloping skylights

Inter-Sky Skylights

Acrylic skylights
Commercial skylight systems
Custom skylights
Dome skylights
Openable skylights
Plastic skylights
Residential skylights / home skylights
Rolling skylights
Skylight design
Skylight fabrication
Sloping skylights

ODL Skylights

Dome skylights
Energy efficient skylights
Energy star skylights
Hurricane resistant skylights
Maintenance free skylights
Polycarbonate skylights
Replacement skylights
Skylight tubes
Tubular skylights

Pella Skylights

Energy efficient skylights
Home skylights / residential skylight systems
Low maintenance skylights
Motorized skylights
Natural light skylight systems
Openable skylights
Traditional skylights
Venting skylights

Skyshade Daylights

Moulded skylights
Natural daylighting
Openable skylights
Skylight domes
Skylight tubes
Sun tunnels
Tubular skylights

Solatube Skylight Tubes

Commercial tube skylights
Daylighting systems
Light tube skylights
Natural daylighting skylights
Residential daylight systems / home tubular skylights
Solartube systems
Sun tube systems
Sun tunnel natural light tubes
Tubular skylights

Sun-Dome Daylight Technologies

Daylighting systems
Domed skylight
Energy efficient skylights
Energy efficient solartubes
Green skylights
High-impact skylights
Hurricane skylights
Tubular daylighting
Tubular skylight systems

VELUX Skylights

Commercial sun tunnel skylight systems
Electric venting skylights
Fixed skylights
Home skylights / residential skylights
Manual Venting skylights
Skylight blinds / skylight shades
Solar tube skylights
Sun tunnel skylights
Tube skylights
Tubular skylights

Wasco Skylights

Architectural skylights
Commercial skylights
Curb mount skylights
Custom skylights
Energy-efficient skylight systems
Fixed skylights
Home skylights / residential skylights
Hurricane resistant skylights
Low profile skylight systems
Natural light skylights
Plastic skylight systems
Replacement skylights
Standard skylights
Translucent daylighting systems
Vaulted skylights
Venting skylights