Installing or replacing skylight windows is a large undertaking: It transforms the exterior of your home, influences interior design, and will have a measurable impact on your property’s value and curb appeal. Homeowners are rightly anxious about choosing the right windows for their homes.
This article will answer all your burning questions about skylight installations: why choose skylight windows, the cost of the installation, how to budget, and much more. If you’ve considered window replacement or home renovation, this is your chance to take your first step!
Table of Contents
Why should I Install a Skylight?
#1 Ample natural light
When homeowners look to increase natural light in a space, installing a skylight window is the first option they consider. Directly facing the sky, skylights can bring natural sunlight directly to a living room, a meeting room, or a loft.
Coupled with adequate blinds, skylights give you complete control over shading in a living space and are suitable year-round across all seasons and temperatures.
#2 Excellent air circulation
Skylights featuring a large top-hung window or a retractable velux window allow fresh air inside a room and facilitate air circulation throughout the entire building. If you want to liven up your home or allow the fresh air from your garden to permeate the interior, installing a roof skylight is the right solution – it is effective and affordable!
#3 Flexible design and versatile use
Are you looking for a window to act as the central piece of your living room? You can purchase a fixed skylight. Do you want windows to introduce fresh air and more natural light to your loft? Retractable skylights are more than capable of doing the job. Do you want large ornamental windows for your commercial establishment? A pyramid roof skylight is both affordable and stylish.
These are just some of the scenarios where skylights are the right answer. Thanks to their flexible design, they are extremely versatile, and whether you are a home or business owner, you should consider installing a skylight!
#4 Increase the value of your property
Want to transform your home? Breathe new life into it? Substantially increase its curb appeal? Windows form a core part of a property’s outward appearance. If they are lacking, worn out, or ill-maintained, they’ll make the property look old and ramshackle. By installing skylights, you can renew your property and substantially increase its value! It’s one of the essential renovations before you put the property up for sale!
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How much does a Skylight installation cost?
The cost of a skylight installation includes the cost of the window(s), the cost of installation tools and materials, labour costs, and construction costs. It can be anywhere from £400 to £500 for a small Velux window to over £2000 for a large roof skylight installation. To learn the precise costs of the project, you need to consider the various factors that will impact the price:
What factors go into determining the cost of a Skylight?
1. Skylight features
Do you want your double-glazed windows to reduce energy costs? Want retractable skylights that can be operated through remote control? Skylights are fairly versatile windows, and homeowners can choose from many features, ultimately impacting the price!
2. Skylight Size
Naturally, manufacturing bigger frames and window panes requires more raw materials, which automatically makes larger skylights pricier. Not only that, but to support the heavier weight and, often, the more complex designs, more robust materials, and more complex manufacturing techniques need to be used. So, the size of the roof skylight ultimately has a substantial impact on its price.
3. Skylight installation costs
The price of the installation will make up a substantial, if not the majority, of the costs you’ll incur when purchasing and installing a skylight. However, this largely depends on the complexity of the installation process.
If you are simply replacing old windows with new skylights, it is relatively affordable and can cost as little as £200 to £300. If you are fitting new windows from scratch, this takes meaningful construction work and might require planning permission, which drives up costs substantially.
How much should I spend on a Skylight?
“How much should I precisely spend on skylight installations?” is a question that’s on many homeowner’s minds. Sadly, the answer isn’t straightforward. It depends on your project, budget, and expectations.
Here are some key things you need to consider when deciding how much to spend:
Decide on your budget
First thing you need to decide is a budget range. Most homeowners have some leeway regarding how much they’re willing to spend on home renovations, but there is a certain limit they are not willing to pass. Deciding on how much you are willing to spend will help you set expectations, determine the scope of the renovations, and settle on window types within your budget.
Check with window suppliers
After you’ve determined a price range, you should get in touch with a reliable supplier to learn how much installing a skylight will cost in your area. Here at Sunlux, for example, we carefully work with our clients to choose windows that match their preferences, fulfill their expectations, and fit within their budget.
Consider the Long Term Roof Skylight Costs
While the upfront costs are the most important for your immediate budget considerations when considering installing skylights, you also need to keep long-term costs in mind:
- Heating costs: When you install a skylight, you need to carefully consider insulation. Gaps in the frame, improper installation, and low-quality skylights will all introduce draughts to your home and increase energy costs in the long term. Paying more upfront for superior insulation can be worth it depending on your environmental values, local energy costs, etc.
- Property value: While it is true that a skylight installation includes considerable upfront costs, it also improves your property’s curb appeal and market value, sometimes considerably. The skylight installation costs don’t represent the whole picture as the changes are as much for you and your family’s comfort as they are a future investment into your property that will pay dividends years later.
- Maintenance: If you want your skylight windows to not fade, yellow, or deteriorate over time, you need to properly maintain them. This includes regular cleanups, lubrication, inspections, and more. This will cost both time and money. If you’ve relied on a reliable supplier with excellent craftsmanship to provide you with your new skylight window, you’ll cut down on maintenance costs in the long term as the window will be less prone to yellowing and deterioration.
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Tips and tricks to reduce costs when carrying out a Skylight installation project
#1 Carefully account for all the costs involved upfront
To take steps to reduce costs, you must first properly account for all the core and additional costs involved. Checking the price of skylight windows, asking about installation costs, and considering labor costs will help you single out the biggest spending items, which will inform your next steps.
#2 Find a reliable supplier
The skylight window will likely be the most expensive item on your list. A high-quality, stylish, robust, and energy-efficient skylight isn’t cheap, but by finding a reliable and affordable supplier, you can cut down on costs substantially.
At Sunlux, for example, we offer skylights for as little as £100 – With an eye on affordability and accessibility, our skylights are designed to please homeowners with an eye on their budget!
#3 Contact a skilled skylight installer
The labour cost that goes into installing skylight windows differs greatly from one home to another. If it is mere window replacements, then it can be an excellent DIY project. If it is a total loft conversion, then it might take multiple days to weeks of construction and renovation to finish the project.
Choosing a skilled glazier or construction worker will help you ensure the skylight installation cost is kept to a minimum while the quality and the structural integrity of the installation are more than adequate. Carefully consider the skylight installers’ prior experience, skill, and portfolio before making the final decision, since this will impact the quality of the installation as a whole.
Installing a Skylight: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a Skylight window by myself?
Though it is possible to install a skylight by yourself, it is time, labour, and skill intensive. An improper skylight installation will result in draughts, cracks, and a variety of other issues. If you are not confident in your DIY skills, you should have your skylights installed by specialists.
Do all Skylights leak?
There’s a misconception that skylights start leaking as they age. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Skylights, if properly designed and carefully installed, can be airtight – not only will they not leak, but they’ll also provide excellent insulation. If you are worried about your skylight leaking, you should contact a reliable supplier like Sunlux to help you find quality skylight windows that will
What is the lifespan of a Skylight?
Under normal conditions, a skylight lasts anywhere from 10 to 15 years if properly maintained. Durable, quality skylights can last even longer. This is why choosing the right skylight windows is very important. It is a long-term investment decision that will impact both the aesthetics and value of your property for years to come!
