What is the Cost to install a skylight in 2022
Before you read further you may want to consider our updated article here
What is the Cost to install a skylight in 2023 vs 2022
$1,500 – $3,700 per Skylight
Most professionally installed skylight windows cost between
$1,500 and $3,700 per window, but can get more expensive depending
on size, placement and options.
Read on to explore the cost factors that will allow
you to form a more useful target price range for your skylights!
Average Skylight Installation Cost
The average cost to install a skylight in 2022 is around $2,200 for a new install when having a pro handle the installation. This cost includes the skylight itself, all labor to cut a hole in your roof, adding headers, flashing and proper waterproofing around the skylight, as well as any cleanup required after the skylight is installed. It will go up if you want the labor to include building the light shaft, doing the drywall work and trim work, The cost also will fluctuate dependentant on the type of roofing material you have and the height and pitch of your roof. Added cost could include an opening skylight, blinds, extra insulating properties, or the length of the shaft. Some skylights are venting (opening) and others can be motorised for opening and closing both the skylight itself and the blinds and are operated with with a remote control or on a programmable smartphone platform such as the Velux Smart Tech Option VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO, Installing a Solar powered skylight such as the Velux VSS (Venting Solar Skylight), or adding solar powered blinds to a fixed skylight or a manual venting skylight you can recoup some of that cost. Currently there is a 30% Solar Tax Credit for Solar powered options.
If you choose DIY installation, you can cut the cost by about $500 on a small skylight window that is easy to install. Velux Skylights suggest you can save $1,500 or more on a large window with complex installation by doing it yourself., even more when the shaft is long and complex.
The complete cost including
- Rooftop,
- Light shaft,
- Drywall
- Finish work
Overview of Skylights and Installation
This page of cost estimates covers skylight window cost, cost factors, retail prices and more.
The emphasis here is on residential skylight windows, but they’re suitable for commercial use too.
Skylight windows are produced in a large range of styles and features.
Sizes start at 16” square, and they can be as large as 48” square or even larger for custom units.
These and other factors affect their retail price.
Installation complexity must be considered too when budgeting for the installed cost of a skylight window.
For example, installing a skylight during home construction, when the roof isn’t shingled and there isn’t ceiling insulation or drywall installed would obviously costs less than installation on the same house once it is completed. The length of the light shaft will also have some bearing on cost.
A skylight window is a window that is installed in the roof of your home.
While installed mostly from the outside, a skylight is one of those projects that impacts your home indoors.
Skylight windows bring in lots of overhead natural light to brighten any space,
something many homeowners appreciate, especially in winter months.
Most skylights don’t open. (in the US anyway)
Vented skylights open manually or with the use of electric motors. Some are solar-powered.
In summer, opening skylights allow heat to rise out of them, allowing you to cool down your home more easily.
A venting skylight installed in a bath room or kitchen can let out excess moisture reducing condinsation in the winter
and can include climate sensors that automaticly open or close the skylight or the skylight blind on preset conditions
The potential downsides are that improperly installed skylights might leak.
And while they’re manufactured with insulated glass, they do allow some heat gain in summer and loss in winter.
That’s true of all windows.
Product and Installation Supplies Cost Details
How much does a fully installed skylight window cost?
Skylight Window Cost Factors:
There are many factors that affect the price of a skylight window.
The largest factors are:
Fixed vs Vented – This is the major cost factor. From least to most expensive are fixed, manually opening, those that open with wired electric motor and solar powered motor for vented windows.
Features – Your options that will affect skylight window cost include having a remote control for an electrically vented window, adding a pre-installed blind or insect screen, tilt-in feature for easy cleaning and an integrated nailing fin.
Size – The larger, the costlier. No surprise there.
A 16×16 window is 1.8 square feet; a 48×48 window is 16 square feet and contains 5 times the material.
Quality – When choosing the quality of your skylight window, it’s important to think long-term. Lower-quality windows are less expensive, but will generally have a shorter lifespan and require more maintenance than the more expensive high-quality windows.
The glass, acrylic or polycarbonate might discolor, and they are more prone to leaks.
Glass – Most skylights are built with standard low-E glass. However there are aslo Acrylic and polycarbonate units
Choose Energy Star rated glass, there is Tempered glass for in reach applications, Laminated glass for highter locations, impact-resistant glass for areas that get alot of hail even snow load, white or tinted glass.
The cost will rise dependend or what type of glass you choose but choose wisley most states require Laninated glass for any skylight installed over 8 feet above the living area.
Complexity of Installation – As eluded to earlier, Velux claims that complex installation of its skylights can increase cost by hundreds or even thousands. Such complexities include very steep roofs, working through ceramic roofing tile, metal roofing and installing large windows that require the need for the installation of headers and shoring roof rafters and ceiling joist. These complex Installations should really be handled by a Skylight Specialist that is trained in the complete process and has the experance of hands on applications.
Here at The Skylight Guys You can rest assured of professional installtion However if your not in our Our Service Area you can find a certified installer on the Velux website Here "Before you buy find an certified installer"
New Skylight vs. Replacement –
Replacing a skylight almost always costs less than adding a new skylight window, since the opening has already been cut.
New Construction vs Existing Home –
It’s much easier and less expensive to install a skylight in new construction than having to prepare and flash an opening in an installed roof.
Curb mount vs Deck Mount –
Curb skylights are raised off the roof deck by 4-6 inches aven more on commercial applications. The curb, or box frame, makes it easier to replace the skylight window in the future. The curb can remain while a new skylight is installed onto it without having to tear into the roofing to replace flashing. Deck mounted skylights are nearly flush with the roof deck and cost a little more. According to Skylight Specialists, deck mounted skylights require a roof pitch of 3/12 or steeper to allow runoff to move past the roof quickly without pooling against the skylight frame and a curb mount skylight is good for flat or low pitch roofs. You can see pictures of the different types of Deck, Curb Mount, Fixed and Venting Skylights on The Skylight Guys Facebook Page Here https://www.facebook.com/TheSkylightGuys
Skylight Window Sizes, Priced by Size
Size affects the amount of material used in the skylight plus installation materials to flash, seal and insulate it.
FS Fixed Skylight Sizes - Deck Mount
| FS Size Code | A06 | C01 | C04 | C06 | C08 | C12 | D26 | D06 | M02 | M04 | M06 | M08 | S01 | S06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside frame (W"xH") | 151⁄4 x 461⁄4 |
211⁄2 x 273⁄8 |
211⁄2 x 383⁄8 |
211⁄2 x 461⁄4 |
211⁄2 x 5415⁄16 |
211⁄2 x 703⁄4 |
231⁄4 x 237⁄16 |
231⁄4 x 461⁄4 |
309⁄16 x 301⁄2 |
309⁄16 x 383⁄8 |
309⁄16 x 461⁄4 |
309⁄16 x 5415⁄16 |
443⁄4 x 273⁄8 |
443⁄4 x 461⁄4 |
| Rough opening/ Finished frame (W"xH") | 141⁄2 x 453⁄4 |
21 x 267⁄8 |
21 x 377⁄8 |
21 x 453⁄4 |
21 x 547⁄16 |
21 x 701⁄4 |
221⁄2 x 2215⁄16 |
221⁄2 x 453⁄4 |
301⁄16 x 30 |
301⁄16 x 377⁄8 |
301⁄16 x 453⁄4 |
301⁄16 x 547⁄16 |
441⁄4 x 267⁄8 |
441⁄4 x 453⁄4 |
Whether the window is fixed or vented (opening) and its features are other major cost factors.
All the factors above are reflected in these sample skylight window prices. Keep in mind that a fixed window with basic features costs far less than a vented skylight operated by solar with a remote control. Those are the extremes. Most skylight windows fall somewhere in the middle of features and cost. Don't forget the factory engineered flashing as it can by required for warranties. These prices are based on the spring 2022 price list from
Velus USA
22 inch wide fixed skylights with flashing – $400 to $1,400, Add $500-$900 for installation on most roofs.
C Series:
- C01 - 21” x 27” | $400 – $1,400
- C04 - 21” x 38” | $455 – $1,450
- C06 - 21” x 46” | $500 – $1,550
- C08 - 21" x 54" | $555 – $1,650
30 inch wide fixed skylights with flashing – $500 to $650, Add $550-$1,200 for installation on most roofs.
M Series:
- M02 - 30” x 30” | $420 – $1,350
- M04 - 30” x 38” | $550 – $1,685
- M06 - 30” x 46” | $700 – $2,100
- M08 - 30” x 54” | $825 – $2,375
48 inch wide skylights with flashing – $600 to $950, Add $600 – $1,500 for installation on most roofs.
S Series:
- S01 - 44” x 27” | $700 – $1,900
- S06 - 44” x 46” | $915 – $2,650
- 36” x 60” | $1,185 – $2,995
- 36” x 72” | $1,400 – $3,350
Retail Skylight Costs
This section explores the retail cost of skylight windows based on features.
Most powered skylights come with a remote, though a wall switch can be installed too.
Various sizes are accounted for too.
- $135 – $950 | Fixed Skylight Windows
- $355 – $2,400 | Manually Vented Skylights
- $815 – $3,825 | Wired, Electrically Driven Skylight Windows
- $965 – $4,400 | Solar-powered Motor Driven Skylights
A Skylight is one of those projects that impacts your home indoors.
A skylight window is a window that is installed in the roof of your home.
The emphasis here is on residential skylight windows, but they’re suitable for commercial use too.
Most skylights don’t open. Vented skylights open manually or with the use of electric motors. Some are solar-powered.
Skylight windows bring in lots of overhead natural light to brighten any space, something many homeowners especially appreciate in winter.
In summer, those that open allow heat to rise out them, allowing you to cool down your home more easily.
The potential downsides are that improperly installed skylights might leak. And while they’re manufactured with insulated glass, they do allow some heat gain in summer and loss in winter. That’s true of all windows.
This page of cost estimates, or Costimates, covers skylight window cost, cost factors, retail prices and more.
You can get current pricing or purchass a skylight, flashing, blinds and accessories at a online outlet like
Shopforskylights.com
Permits, Inspection, Related Costs
and Installation Time
Permits and Inspection Cost
- $0 – $800 | A permit isn’t required for basic skylight replacement. When installing a new skylight window, you may need a permit if the skylight is wider than the space between roof rafters, either 16” or 24”, since structural changes are made. When installing a motorized skylight, an electrical permit may also be needed.
Related Costs and Installation Time
- About a Day to a week | The Rooftop part of the installation takes about a day while the finnish work can take a week of partial days or maybe even longer on complex installations. Pro installers who have “done it a thousand times before” move quickly. They will have been to your home prior to the install date to scope the project and perhaps sketch out the installation. On the day of the install, they’ll get the opening cut, flashed and prepped, drop in the window, seal it, make roofing material repairs as needed, and be on their way.
Costs of Related Projects
Here are common projects homeowners also complete – or choose as an alternative – when considering an outdoor gas fire pit.
Roofing – The best time to install a skylight is when the home is being built or when the roof has been torn off for replacement. You can get an asphalt shingle roof for and average of about $5.00 per square foot. Most metal roofing costs $15-$24 per square foot.
Interior Trim – May be needed to finnish the skylight where it meets the drywall Cost can very dependent on the type and size of trim used.
Ceiling Drywall – While not possible in an existing home, it’s definitely advisable to install your skylight in new construction before the ceiling is drywalled.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
Our average cost to install a skylight in 2022 $1,500 to $3,700, prices we have the data to show and is largly dependent of if you DIY or hier a professional as installation charges are a big chunk of the total cost. But is it worth trying to save that cash?
If you’re handy, good at following instructions and the skylight fits between roof rafters (16” or 24”), then DIY is possible.
When structural changes to the roof are required, cutting out rafter sections and forming the skylight frame, hiring a pro is the best way to go, in our opinion.
Additionally, we prefer to hire a professional anytime the skylight is going through existing roofing. The risk of leaking is significant when the window is improperly installed, and the water damage that can occur will make the installation cost look cheap. You can find a professional on the Velux website Here "Before you buy find an certified installer"
Our bottom-line recommendation is to hire a professional skylight window installer – and make sure to see their up-to-date license and insurance, so you’re covered if the project goes badly.
