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We Proudly Serve as the Premier VELUX® Skylight Specialists in Albany, CA

Serving Albany and East Bay Since 1983

Skylights in Albany

Discover the brilliance of natural light with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights in Albany, CA. We are dedicated to enhancing your living spaces with our exceptional skylight services, including professional Skylight Installation, Skylight Repair, General Contracting, and Home Remodeling. Contact us for a FREE Skylight Consultation to learn about our diverse range of skylights.

Illuminate Your Space with the Warmth of Sunlight

Elevate your space with the warmth of sunlight through our high-quality skylights. Our variety of sizes and designs ensures that your area is brightened while providing options for ventilation, offering a revitalizing ambiance. Discover our diverse collection, including the Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights, by reaching out to our expert team.

Illuminate and Revitalize Your Spaces with Skylights

Our skylights, especially the Sun Tunnel series, can transform compact spaces like stairwells, hallways, and corners. The infusion of natural light into your home, school, or workplace can ignite creativity, boost vitamin D levels, and increase joy and motivation.

Decades of Expertise in Albany, CA

Boasting forty years of unmatched expertise, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights shines as a beacon of excellence in home remodeling, general contracting, and Skylight Installation in Albany. Catering to a wide range of clients, our seasoned team provides professional services, transforming homes and commercial spaces with exceptional skill and knowledge.

Other Services

Ready to bring your vision to life?

Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.

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Commercial Skylight Innovations for Brighter Business Spaces

Transform your business space with our advanced skylights, ideal for illuminating office lobbies and conference rooms. Browse our collection, including skylights with solar-powered blinds in a variety of stylish colors.

Residential Skylight Solutions for Brighter Homes

Enhance your home with our specialized residential skylight services. Whether it’s replacing outdated skylights or designing a custom light-filled area, our experts are at your service. With a ten-year installation guarantee and a twenty-year warranty, our skylights are made to endure. Albany residents can also inquire about federal tax benefits, potentially saving up to 30% or an average of $850.

Trust in Mares & Dow Construction for Skylight Perfection

Known for our dedication to superior quality, cost-effectiveness, and outstanding customer support, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is proud to be a VELUX® 5 Star Skylight Specialist. Whether you need Skylight Installation, Skylight Repair, General Contracting, or Home Remodeling, trust us to brighten your spaces with distinction.

Types of Skylights

Sun Tunnel Skylights Clayton California

Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylight

Velux® Skylights

“Fresh Air” Skylight features a solar panel that captures any available daylight and is the power source that opens and closes the skylight. 

Sun Tunnel®

Velux® Skylights

Providing an excellent value and a big impact to any project makes the SUN TUNNEL skylight an excellent choice for your daylighting needs.

Fixed Curb Mount

Velux® Skylights

Our Group has been building relationships and projects last. Serving an impressive list of long-term clients with experience.

Roof Window Skylights

Velux® Skylights

The natural light that is harnessed and diffused through quality commercial skylights enhances the experience of indoor spaces, and research shows it helps health.

Modular Skylights

Velux® Skylights

Modular Skylights can be combined in several rooflight configurations, creating perfect solutions for a wide variety of buildings.

Commercial Sun Tunnel Skylights

Velux® Skylights

VELUX Commercial SUN TUNNEL® skylights are designed for flat or low slope commercial roofing applications that are above spaces that will benefit from more sunlight.

Mares & Dow Construction Inc.

Dynamic Dome Skylights

Velux® Skylights

VELUX Dynamic Dome, an innovative product that balances the structural demands of industry professionals with an architecturally progressive design.

Flat Roof Exit Skylights

Velux® Skylights

Opening up a flat roof with skylights can brighten your space and transform any room with sunlight and sky views. And the VELUX Flat Roof Exit Skylight is pleasing to the eyes.

SkyMax® Large Span Skylights

Velux® Skylights

Fill your home with bright, natural daylight! Spanning up to 10 feet, the dramatic SkyMax skylight doubles the square footage of standard flat glass skylights.

Benefits of Going with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights

Experience & Accreditations

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is certified and accredited by the best manufacturers in the industry. From Grip-Tite Foundation Systems, to James Hardie Siding, to VELUX Skylights, you can be sure to get the highest quality products for whatever your project.

Knowledge & Expertise

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years with quality general contracting, home remodeling, and skylight installation means you'll get the benefits of our expertise for every project.

Proven Customer Satisfaction

Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, we are proud to have provided our customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with quality construction and home improvement services for 40 years. With half of our new clients coming to us from referrals, it’s no secret that our customers/friends are truly pleased with the work we do.

40
Years of Experience

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area for 40 Years

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. is a longstanding partnership of 40 years between Archie Mares, Dennis Dow and hundreds of great customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We are a general contractor, building custom homes, additions, home remodeling, skylights, retaining wall construction and commercial remodeling.

Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, we are proud to have provided our customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with quality construction and home improvement services for 40 years. With half of our new clients coming to us from referrals, it’s no secret that our customers/friends are truly pleased with the work we do.

  • Over 40 Years of Bay Area Expertise
  • Hands-On Leadership
  • Dual Licensed Expertise
  • VELUX 5-Star Skylight Specialists
  • Referral-Driven Reputation
  • Seismic-Safe, Design-Focused Construction
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Philosophy

Quality and service come first. We approach every job, big or small, with the same care and attention to detail we’d give our own homes. Our team combines time-tested building practices with modern innovation to deliver results that stand the test of time.

Get In Touch

Ready to start your next project? Whether you’re planning a home remodel, skylight installation, or foundation repair, our team is here to help.

Reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll listen, offer expert guidance, and provide a detailed estimate tailored to your goals.

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Our Mission

To enhance the lives of Bay Area homeowners through expert construction, thoughtful design, and dependable service. For over 40 years, our mission has remained simple: build with integrity, serve with pride, and create spaces our clients love to live in.

Values

We believe in integrity, craftsmanship, and lasting relationships. Every project is built on honesty, transparency, and respect - for our clients, our partners, and the homes we’re entrusted to improve.

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Words of Appreciation from Our Valued Clients

At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we believe great service is its own reward. Every satisfied client, glowing review, and lasting relationship reminds us why we’ve dedicated over 40 years to building with integrity, craftsmanship, and care.

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights installed a large Velux skylight for me in August 2017. The entire experience was wonderful and the skylight is beautiful, both functionally and aesthetically. Janet made sure the work was scheduled to be completed before a trip I had planned. Jimmy measured carefully when he quoted the work and even accommodated a last minute change on the location when he arrived to do the work. They protected my new floors and were careful to keep dust to a minimum. Archie came by to ensure that all was going smoothly. Freddy helped matched the stain on my nearly 70 year old tongue and grove ceiling that really took some effort and he even matched some a few small spots that a previous contractor had sanded and removed the original stain. EVERYONE was cheerful and knowledgeable. Now, my little mid century house has emerged into the light!

Norma B. San Francisco, California

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights replaced two aging skylights in our bedroom and installed automatic blinds on four skylights. This was not an easy job, since our bedroom has very very high cathedral ceilings. In fact, one other skylight installer refused to do the job altogether, and a second made a bid that was almost twice as expensive as Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. Janet Mares, who was our main contact for the job, was a pleasure to work with. Her son, Jimmy, who led the installation, was fearless climbing the ceiling, and he eally knew his stuff. We’re thrilled with our new and improved skylights, and we appreciate Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights’ solid, reasonably priced, work. Thanks guys!

Aaron R. Concord, California

I’ve had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install 3 sun tunnels in my home and most recently, 2 skylights in my garage/art studio. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the quality of their work and professionalism! All my communications with their office and installers have been extremely pleasant. I would use them again (and again) and highly recommend them to anyone looking to install Velux skylights/sun tunnels in their home!

Myla L. Concord, California

Being a new homeowner, i really did my research before having someone come out and give me a quote on a skylight. You never know what to believe when you read yelp reviews. So, i went ahead and had Jimmy from mares and dow come out and give me an estimate. He was right on time, came out and measured and was very professional while he was here. Janet called me a few days later and sent me over an estimate. I went them them and couldn’t be happier. It arrived in the time frame she had told me, and they were out that week. The workers came out on time, and were very friendly and professional. Dennis ( one of the owners) came out as well and checked on the job. The went above and beyond with their work. The skylight looks beautiful! Night and day from the old one. If you are wanting a skylight, i strongly reccomend going with mare and dow

Chris W. Walnut Creek, California

We had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install a Velux skylight in our new master bathroom. The space was small and dark, so Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights suggested a big skylight to add in lots of natural light. They built in a double crown molding to beautifully frame the skylight, and now the space is open and airy with wonderful natural light. We can open the skylight during warm months to let in fresh air. It was a superb addition to our bathroom renovation and a great suggestion from Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. They did a fantastic job and were great to work with! Thanks guys!

Jennifer S. Walnut Creek, California

VELUX® Skylights Service Areas

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Building Knowledge: Insights From 40 Years of Craftsmanship

At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, sharing knowledge is part of our commitment to great service. Our blog offers expert tips, project insights, and inspiration drawn from decades of experience building and remodeling homes across the Bay Area.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Skylight Installation in Albany, CA

Skylights are a popular home improvement choice for homeowners in Albany, CA who want to increase natural light, improve indoor comfort, and enhance energy efficiency. With Albany’s mix of older homes, modern remodels, and coastal-influenced weather, professional skylight installation is essential to ensure proper sealing, durability, and code compliance. Below are answers to common questions homeowners ask when working with a professional skylight contractor in Albany.

The most common skylight options for Albany homes include fixed skylights, venting skylights, solar-powered skylights, and sun tunnels. Fixed skylights are ideal for adding natural light to living rooms, stairwells, and bedrooms without ventilation. Venting skylights are often installed in kitchens and bathrooms to improve airflow and reduce moisture. Sun tunnels work well for hallways, closets, and interior rooms where traditional skylights may not fit due to roof structure or space limitations.

Skylight installation costs in Albany vary based on the skylight type, size, roof pitch, and whether structural changes are needed. Most homeowners can expect pricing to begin around $1,500 and range up to $3,500 or more per skylight, especially for custom or motorized units. A professional on-site assessment provides the most accurate estimate and helps avoid unexpected costs.

 

Modern skylights are designed with energy efficiency in mind and often feature Low-E glass, insulated glazing, and UV protection. When installed correctly, skylights reduce reliance on artificial lighting and help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round, making them an energy-efficient upgrade for Albany’s mild coastal climate.

Yes, skylights can increase a home’s value by improving interior brightness, enhancing architectural appeal, and creating a more open, inviting atmosphere. In Albany’s competitive real estate market, professionally installed skylights are often seen as a desirable feature that can help a home stand out to buyers.

 

Most standard skylight installations in Albany can be completed within one day. Projects involving multiple skylights, custom sizing, or roof modifications may take longer. A professional skylight contractor will plan the timeline based on roof conditions, weather, and local building requirements.

Yes, skylight installation typically requires a building permit to ensure compliance with local and state building codes. A licensed skylight contractor will manage the permitting process and inspections, ensuring the installation meets Albany and Alameda County regulations.

 

Routine skylight maintenance includes checking seals, flashing, and glass for signs of wear, especially after heavy rain or storms. Keeping the skylight clean and free of debris helps prevent leaks and extends its lifespan. Venting skylights may also require occasional inspection of motors, screens, and tracks.

Choosing the right skylight contractor means looking for licensed and insured professionals with experience working on Albany homes. Strong customer reviews, manufacturer certifications, clear communication, and warranty-backed workmanship are key indicators of a reliable contractor. Familiarity with local building codes ensures a safe, durable, and long-lasting skylight installation.