Considering a skylight for your home? These popular windows can increase your home value and decrease your utility bills. From what they are to types available to the best rooms for a skylight, we cover it all in this skylight window guide.
What is a Skylight?
A skylight window is a specialized window design installed on the roof of a home to allow natural light to stream directly into the space below.
Unlike traditional windows that offer views of the surrounding landscape, skylight windows provide a view of the sky above, which can brighten up interior spaces that may not have access to exterior walls for standard windows.
Skylights can come in various shapes and sizes, from flat, fixed models that do not open to vented versions that can be opened to allow for fresh air circulation. They are not only valued for enhancing the ambiance of your home with the beauty of natural daylight, but also for their practical benefits in reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving ventilation in homes and commercial buildings.
How Much Do Skylights Cost?
Compared to other window types, skylights tend to cost more due to their size and the labor costs associated with installing them. The average cost range for a skylight window is $800 to $3,000 dollars.
To learn more about what you can expect your own skylight replacement or installation to cost, visit our Guide to Skylight Cost.
Who Should Consider Skylight Windows?
A skylight window is a good choice for homeowners who are seeking more natural light. These windows bring sunlight in through the roof of the home and often offer useful ventilation to let heat out during the warmer months of the year. Some skylight windows even serve as emergency exits in attics or low ceiling rooms.
You should also consider skylights if you have a room with limited wall space that needs extra light. Bathrooms are a popular room to install skylights in for exactly this reason!
Energy-conscious homeowners who want to reduce reliance on artificial lighting should also put skylights high on their list of window types to consider.
Skylight Windows: Pros and Cons
Skylights are popular options for all the reasons we’ve discussed above and more. But there are a few downsides to skylights you should also consider before you start talking to contractors.
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Pros
- Improves attic ventilation
- Keeps water out with slanted structure
- Promotes natural light
- Can be used as fire escape
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Cons
- Needs extra maintenance
- UV rays can damage interiors which can be countered with Low-e glass
- Roof flashing and leakage needs regular checks
If one of the reasons you’re interested in skylights is to reduce your utility bills, you can read all about the energy-efficiency of skylights over on our blog. If, on the other hand, your skylight is letting in too much light or heat, you may want to explore our post on how to cover your skylight.
Signs It’s Time to Have Your Skylight Replaced
Already have a skylight window but worried it is reaching the end of its lifespan? Here are some signs it is time to call a contractor.
- Visible damage. Cracks, holes, or breaks all need to be addressed promptly.
- Leaks. If there are signs of water damage, act quickly so that you do not wind up with mold or water damage to your roof structure.
- Condensation. If there’s condensation between the panes of glass in your skylight, that is a sign of seal failing. It may simply need a new seal or may need replacing.
- Age. If your skylight window is more than 20 years old, have it assessed for signs of wear and tear. Be sure to ask your contractor how much energy you might save with a newer model.
Types of Skylights
Skylights vary in terms of functionality, material, and shape. Here’s how that breaks down.
- Functionality. Do you want your skylight to be able to open?
- Materials. What kind of window frame is going to be best for your roof type and your region?
- Shape. Skylight shapes include pyramid, square, and the classic rectangle..
To choose the best skylight for your home, check out our blog post on types of skylights.
What’s the Best Room for a Skylight?
Skylights are well-suited to almost any room in your home, but there are five rooms where homeowners tend to install skylights most often. They are:
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Garage
- Patio
- Attic
We broke all the reasons homeowners choose to install skylights in these rooms in our blog post on the five best rooms to install a skylight in.
Skylight Sizes
Skylight sizes vary by manufacturer. However, most window brands make skylights that are either square or rectangular, and you can also custom order skylights if you need specific dimensions for your particular space. That said, here is what an average-sized skylight, a large skylight, and a small skylight tend to measure.
Average Skylight Size
Most homeowners install skylights that are between 24 and 48 inches in width and four feet in length. Why? Well, these are the standard sizes that can fit between roof rafters or trusses without requiring structural modifications. That means a quicker install/replacement as well as a lower overall project cost.
Small Skylight
Looking for a skylight for a particularly small area? The smallest skylights available off-the-shelf run between 12 to 21 inches in width. These fit best in areas like bathrooms or hallways where roof space may be limited.
Large Skylight
The biggest skylights manufacturers pre-make start at around 48 inches and go up to 72 inches in width. However, custom installations can be even larger. Large skylights tend to be used in your home’s biggest spaces, like the living room or a great room. Keep in mind that a large skylight installation will likely need structural modifications to your roof.
Ready to Find a Skylight Contractor?
If you’re ready to start getting quotes on a skylight installation or replacement, you can search for and compare contractors in our directory. You should aim to get between three and four quotes to find the best price for your project.
If you don’t want to do all the research, you can have Modernize do it for you. We will match you with up to four pros in your area.
Compare top-rated windows pros in your area.
Read real homeowner reviews, explore qualifications, and view promotions. Modernize makes it easy to browse professionals and find one that will be perfect for your project.
