For more than five decades, The Skylight Place has served the Santa Cruz County community, building a reputation not only for windows and skylights, but for a range of glass, door and specialty services that continue to change with the needs of local homeowners.
Founded in 1971, the family-run company has grown from a local window and skylight business into a full-service glass, door and home improvement operation serving customers throughout Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos and surrounding communities. Today, second-generation owner Paul Eastman continues the locally rooted business with a focus on craftsmanship, customer service and community involvement.
“I feel honored to continue the legacy that my Uncle and Father started when they opened The Skylight Place. In a world that is changing so quickly and moving so fast, it is comforting to know that our small, locally owned, business is still viable, and a vital, part of our community,” said Eastman. “We are a business that customers return to time and time again, because we offer quality work at a reasonable price; and we offer simple solutions for the repair or remodel of our customer’s homes. We have proven our work over the past 50 years in this community, and we are honored to serve multiple generations of local home owners.”
While many residents recognize the company for its skylights and replacement windows, some of its fastest-growing and most in-demand services center around custom shower doors and replacement glass.
“We are proud to be one of the only shops in town that focuses on affordable repair options as our clients have become much more eco conscious through the years. Why replace something when you can repair it for less?” Eastman said.
The Skylight Place specializes in framed and frameless shower door installations, offering custom-designed enclosures for remodels, new construction projects and replacement needs. Customers can choose from tempered glass in multiple thicknesses, including quarter-inch, three-eighth-inch and half-inch options, allowing homeowners to tailor the look and privacy level of their bathrooms.
The company handles the entire process, from design consultation and measurements to manufacturing and installation. Its installers are factory-trained and certified for installation quality and product expertise.
“Since our inception, we have worked hard to be a client focused business. We strive to understand our clients’ needs, and we provides seamless replace, repair, or reimagine options for their windows, doors, skylights, and glass,” said Eastman
Replacement glass services have become increasingly important for homeowners and businesses facing storm damage, accidents and aging windows. The Skylight Place offers single-window glass repair and replacement, custom-cut glass, mirror replacement, commercial glass work and emergency board-up services for broken windows.
The company’s responsiveness following storm damage has earned praise from homeowners navigating repairs during difficult circumstances.
“The recent storms made havoc on our house and we needed to repair/replace some of our windows,” customer Noelle Lowe said in a testimonial. “After doing a bunch of comparisons and shopping, we felt most comfortable going forward with Skylight Place. They were by far the best value and the most professional.”
Lowe also credited Eastman and his staff for their communication and adaptability during delays caused by weather conditions.
“Paul and his team were very attentive to our particularities and very adaptable,” Lowe said. “Their professionalism and compassion for our situation made the transaction very easy.”
Beyond shower doors and glass replacement, The Skylight Place offers a broad catalog of residential products and services. The company installs windows, multifold doors, multi-slide doors, moving glass walls, mirrors, skylights, screens and custom glass features designed to bring more natural light into homes.
The business was the first company to sell Milgard windows in Santa Cruz County and remains a certified Milgard dealer. It is also the county’s only Marvin Windows dealer, giving customers access to a range of premium replacement and new construction window products. The Skylight Place also manufactures window screens in-house, allowing for relatively quick turnaround times on repairs and replacements.
Skylights remain one of the company’s signature offerings, including custom-built and energy-efficient solutions designed for both aesthetics and energy savings. The Skylight Place also features VELUX skylights, known for top-quality fixed, venting and solar-powered skylight systems.
The company’s experience with custom glass and large-format doors has become especially attractive to homeowners seeking to blend indoor and outdoor living spaces. Its bi-fold doors, stacking doors and moving glass wall systems are designed to maximize natural light while creating open transitions to patios, decks and outdoor entertainment areas.
Despite the company’s growth and expanded capabilities, Eastman said maintaining a family-oriented, customer-first approach remains central to the business. That local focus also extends beyond home improvement projects. The Skylight Place supports the community through sponsorships and local involvement, including serving as a sponsor of the Capitola Beach Festival, one of the county’s longstanding community events.
“We are proud that we have been able to serve this community for more than 50 years. It is incredibly rewarding to offer great products and services to customers, while at the same time creating jobs for local residents. We promise to continue our work to support and grow this community for future generations to enjoy,” Eastman said.
TOP PHOTO: Paul Eastman welcomes the public to The Skylight Place.