How Much Do Skylight Installations Cost?

Skylight Installation Cost Breakdown

Several factors will play into your total skylight installation cost. Expect labor to take up the bulk of your project budget, but other factors like the size, shape, and type of skylight you choose are also important. Consider whether you want any finishes or other customizations and whether a permit will be required for installation.

Size

The size of the skylight you choose to install is a significant cost factor. Bigger skylights require more materials and labor up front, but they can also lead to greater energy loss later on. If you have a stick roof and want to install a skylight that’s larger than the standard size, you’ll pay even more for the skilled labor required to cut your rafters.

Shape

Skylight prices vary by shape. Some shapes pose unique challenges for installers that can also raise labor costs. Be sure to choose the shape that works best for your space, but also your budget.

Type

Your costs will vary considerably depending on the type of skylight you choose. More complex products involve more skilled installation labor. Fixed skylights tend to cost the least, while high-quality brand name skylights with longer lifespans will cost more. You’ll also pay more for skylights with additional features like ventilation.

Materials

The cost of materials for a skylight installation ranges from $200 to $2,000. The materials for a tubular skylight cost $200 to $650. For vaulted or pitched roof installations, expect to pay $250 to $1,650 for materials.

When installing a skylight on a flat roof, the materials cost between $250 and $2,700. The increased material cost is because the glass for a flat roof skylight needs to be domed or pyramidal to reduce the risk of breakage and leaks.

Labor

The labor for installing a standard skylight is $300 to $2,500. The simplest installation is a tubular skylight. This only costs $300 to $400 in labor because it’s a quick, simple job. It’s less challenging and time-consuming to install a skylight on a vaulted roof than on a flat roof, so labor costs are less, from $850 to $1,000. For flat roof installations, expect to pay $1,800 to $2,500. The increase in labor costs is due to the increased difficulty and extra work involved in installing a skylight on a flat roof compared to a pitched roof.

You’ll also pay an extra $250 in labor costs for an electric or solar-powered ventilated skylight. Standard non-ventilated skylights don’t open, so don’t require the additional labor costs associated with a motorized, ventilated model.

Permits

Permits for skylight installation can cost in excess of $500. In most locations, you’ll need a building permit for installing a skylight. You may also need plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits if you plan to reconfigure the roof or move vents or lighting.

The exact permits you need and how much they’ll cost depend on where you live and the work you have done. Your local skylight specialist should be aware of the permitting requirements and will likely take care of them within the quoted price of the job. But check with them to make sure.

Cost to Install a Skylight By Type

The cost of skylight installation varies considerably by type. The chart below shows you the typical cost of materials per skylight type. Remember that you’ll also need to add labor costs of between $300 and $2,500, depending on type, when working out your budget.

Type of Skylight	Cost Range (Materials Only)	Average Cost (Materials Only)
Tubular	$200 – $500	$350
Fixed	$200 – $1,200	$700
Ventilated	$400 – $2,000	$1,200

Tubular

A tubular skylight costs an average of $350, plus a typical installation cost of $425. Tubular skylights cost less than other types because they’re not traditional skylights. Although they’re installed in the roof, they look more like lights than skyward-facing windows.

They don’t offer a view of the sky because they’re composed of a small light aperture and a series of directional reflective surfaces. The roof unit captures sunlight, which is directed through the series of reflectors out through the aperture installed in the ceiling of the roof below.

Fixed

Fixed skylights cost an average of $700 for materials alone. If you’re putting a fixed skylight into a pitched roof, expect to pay between $200 and $700 for materials, but if the skylight is going into a flat roof, you’ll pay between $700 and $1,200. Labor for a fixed skylight on a pitched roof is between $850 and $1,000, while a flat roof installation costs between $1,000 and $2,500 in labor.

Fixed skylights are simple and require no mechanical or electrical components. Fixed skylights are a great choice if you live in a cold climate because they help heat your home via passive heat. However, if you live in an area with hot summers, this can be a problem and increase your utility bills as your air conditioner works harder to eliminate the extra trapped heat.

You can minimize the heat transfer by installing blinds or choosing a glass or glass coating like Low-E, which is designed to reduce heat transfer.

Ventilated

Ventilated skylights cost an average of $1,200 for materials. A manually operated ventilated skylight costs between $400 and $1,200. If you plan to have an electric or solar-powered ventilated unit, expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,000 for materials.

For a pitched roof installation, you’ll need to allow $1,000 to $1,250 for labor costs. If your ventilated skylight is going into a flat roof, expect labor costs to be around $1,250 to $2,750.

Cost of Skylight Installation By Size

The size of the skylight is a significant cost factor. The bigger the skylight, the more materials and labor required, therefore the greater the price. Most commonly, skylights are 25 inches wide, because that’s the standard width between trusses on a trussed roof, which cannot be cut to make way for larger skylights.

If, however, you have a stick roof, which is a roof that uses rafters, you have more size and customization options, because there’s usually a bigger gap between the rafters and, in most cases, a skilled installer can strategically cut a rafter to make way for a larger skylight.

Check out how much it costs, on average, for the materials to install different skylight sizes. Remember, though, that you’ll need to add labor costs to your project total.

Size of Skylight	Cost Range (Materials Only)	Average Cost (Materials Only)
25″ x 25″	$150 – $500	$325
25″ x 33″	$150 – $600	$375
25″ x 41″	$300 – $600	$450
33″ x 33″	$300 – $800	$550
25″ x 57″	$300 – $800	$550
33″ x 49″	$300 – $1,000	$650
49″ x 49″	$500 – $1,900	$1,200
33″ x 57″	$500 – $2,000	$1,250

Price of Installing a Skylight By Frame Material

The frame material you choose for your skylight determines the cost of materials. Each of the three main choices—vinyl, metal, and wood—have both advantages and disadvantages.

Frame Material	Cost Range (Materials Only)	Average Cost (Materials Only)
Vinyl	$150 – $1,000	$570
Metal	$200 – $1,500	$850
Wood	$300 – $2,500	$1,400

Cost to Install a Skylight By Style

There are two installation styles, a curb mount and a deck mount. Curb mounts are the least expensive option, but also the most noticeable, as they’re raised on a protruding frame, giving them less curb appeal.

Deck-mounted skylights cost more but are more visually appealing, as they’re mounted flush with your roof. A deck-mount installation is more challenging and time-consuming, so expect to pay more in labor. Curb-mounted skylights are prefabricated, so simply need affixing to the hole the contractor makes in your roof. Deck-mounted models are made on site, increasing installation time and complexity, hence the higher labor cost.

Style	Cost Range (Material Only)	Average Cost (Material Only)
Curb Mount	$150 – $1,500	$820
Deck Mount	$150 – $2,500	$1,320

Price to Install a Skylight By Shape

The shape of your skylight impacts cost because some shapes pose unique challenges. Take a look at the most common skylight shapes and their typical costs, without labor.

Circular	$400 – $1,000	$700
Square	$150 – $2,000	$1,070
Rectangular	$150 – $2,000	$1,070
Oval	$600 – $2,500	$1,500
Triangular	$300 – $3,000	$1,650
Custom	$1,500 – $5,000	$3,200

Cost of Installing a Skylight By Glazing Material

You’ve got three common options for glazing material. Acrylic is a popular choice for domed and pyramidal units but does discolor and scratch over time. Tempered glass is a good compromise between durability, longevity, and price. It’s not the most energy-efficient, but it’s strong enough to withstand hail storms and high winds. Double-paned glass is the most expensive, but most energy-efficient as it minimizes heat transfer. They’re also sturdy enough to use in any climate.

Glazing Type	Cost Range (Material Only)	Average Cost (Material Only)
Acrylic Plastic	$150 – $1,000	$570
Tempered Glass	$200 – $1,500	$800
Double-Pane Glass	$300 – $3,500	$1,900

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Skylight?

The average cost for replacing a skylight is $1,500. Assuming you’re changing like-for-like, with no changes in placement, size, or configuration, you could pay anywhere from $800 to $2,200.

In this situation, your only labor costs will be $50 to $200 for removal of the old skylight, as the majority of the work is already done. However, if you need to change the placement, size, or configuration of the skylight, your labor costs will increase significantly.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Installing a skylight is a complex and dangerous project that most homeowners won’t have the necessary construction experience to complete properly. The windows themselves are large, heavy, and unwieldy. Measurements need to be precise so that cuts in the ceiling and roofline up perfectly. Mistakes in this area can lead to poorly sealed weatherproofing and leaks.

If you do have experience, you may be able to attempt a DIY skylight installation for $500 to $1,000 using a tubular skylight that comes with its own light well. However, hiring a pro skylight installer near you is the best way to avoid injury from working on the roof or paying the cost to repair water damage.

5 Ways You Can Save Money While Installing Skylights

Consider the following tips to reduce the cost of your skylight installation:

1. Think long-term: Don’t cut corners with low-quality materials or labor. You’ll spend less energy and repairs over time with a quality skylight installed well.

2. Get multiple quotes: When shopping around for a roofing contractor to install your skylight, get more than one quote to compare prices and get the best deal.

3. Compare brands: Consider your needs and your home setup when comparing products from different skylight brands to find the best combination of cost and quality.

4. Ask your installer: An experienced pro will have the best idea of what products and features will work well and cost the least.

5. Consider your climate: Your local climate will impact how your skylight impacts energy costs. You may want skylight shades or a UV-blocking glaze in a warm, sunny climate. In colder climates, you may want double-paned glass.