Skylight Windows Installation Cost

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight Window?

There are many different types of skylight windows available, so there is a window available to suit every budget. You can expect to pay around £500-£2000 for the installation of a skylight. This price includes the cost of materials, labour, and waste removal.

Skylight Window Prices

Below is a list of the costs you can expect for various skylight installation jobs:

What are the Supply Costs of a Skylight Window Installation?

There are several variations of skylight windows and each type of window comes with a different price point.

In the table below, you will find the various skylight window costs. These are the costs for the materials alone without the costs of labour:

What are the Additional Costs of a Skylight Installation?

Many additional costs may come up with this type of work. Below is a list of the additional jobs you may want to consider alongside a skylight window installation:

Double Glazing

When you get your new skylights installed, you may also consider getting all of the other windows in your home replaced with new double glazing windows.

The average cost of installing double glazing in your home is around £3000-£7000. The costs will depend on the size of the windows, the materials used, and the number of windows you would like to have replaced.

Patio Doors

When installing skylight windows, you may also be interested in some additional work, such as a patio door installation.

The average cost you can expect to pay for new patio doors is around £400-£1500. However, it could be more depending on the type of door you choose.

Loft Conversion

If you are planning on installing skylights as part of a loft conversion, you may be interested in knowing the costs involved with completing the entire loft conversion.

The overall cost of a loft conversion is around £25,000-£100,000. The price range is so wide because there are different factors that can affect the cost, such as the type of conversion, the materials used, and any additional work involved with the conversion.

Tradesmen Costs for Installing a Skylight

When installing skylights, it’s always best to hire a professional company to complete the work for you as it can be quite a difficult job. The work will usually require a team of two consisting of a skylight installation specialist and a labouring assistant.

Here, we will look at the labour costs of installing a skylight window.

You can expect to pay a skylight installation specialist around £150-£250 per day, and you can expect to pay a labourer around £100-£125 per day. This means that the overall cost you can expect to pay for the labour with this type of work is around £250-£375 per day.

The only things that may affect the cost of labour is if there is any additional work needed or if the location is difficult to access.

Homeowners based in the London area can also expect to pay around £50-£80 more per day for the cost of labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

How Long Does It Take to Fit a Skylight Window?

In this section, we will take a look at the timescales you can expect when it comes to installing a skylight window.

When you have two people completing the work, you can expect it to take around 6-12 hours to install a new skylight at your home. If you are having a balcony installed, this can take around 1-2 days to complete.

Some things that can affect the overall timescales of the job include the following:

Preparation – for example, if furniture needs to be moved or the contractors struggle to gain access to the area

If the roof isn’t strong enough reinforcements are needed

If any additional work is required to complete the job

If you are adding more than one window

The size of the window – larger windows may be more difficult to install and can take longer

Types of Skylight Windows

There are several different types of skylights available for you to choose from. Below is a list of the various skylight options and the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Roof Terrace

A roof terrace is similar to a Velux balcony. However, instead of opening out, this type of window follows the shape of the room and opens up like a hinged doorway leading out to the balcony.

Pros:

• Floods the room with natural lighting
• Provides easy access to the balcony

Cons:

• Light can be blinding without adequate blinds
• Lack of privacy
• Requires a large amount of space
• High costs

Electric Top Hung

These windows are operated via a fixed switch or remote control. They are similar to a top hung window, except these varieties benefit from electrical controls, while manual top hung windows are controlled with a pole.

Pros:

• Convenient
• Windows open fully
• Provides unobstructed views
• Provides an additional fire escape route

Cons:

• Could be a safety issue for children
• Weight of the window is placed on one pivot
• Light can be blinding without adequate blinds
• Hard to clean
• Won’t work in a power cut
• Vulnerable to strong winds when open

Balcony

A balcony installation can be quite complex and is likely to take longer than most other skylight installations. A balcony is typically made up of fixed frames and pivoted frames. They tend to be a very beautiful addition to the home and provides a unique and elegant aesthetic.

Pros:

• Allows a lot of light to enter
• Provides additional space
• Beautiful aesthetic

Cons:

• Space is temporary
• Very expensive
• Requires a lot of space and secure structure

Centre Pivot

A centre pivot skylight is one of the most popular models. This is where the pivot sits in the centre of the frame and allows the window to be tilted. This provides ventilation through both the top and the bottom.

Pros:

• Cost-effective option
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Provides better security
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Manual operation
• Doesn’t open fully
• Can amplify outdoor noises such as rain
• Roof can leak if it’s not closed properly
• Light can be blinding without adequate blinds

Top Hung

This type of skylight is similar to a centre pivot, however, the window opens up from the top hinge. This means that the window can open completely. The fact that the window can open fully is a huge benefit as it adds an additional escape route in the event of a fire.

Pros:

• Window opens fully
• Provides an additional escape route
• Unobstructed views

Cons:

• Difficult to clean
• Vulnerable to strong winds when fully open
• May be a safety issue for children
• Light can be blinding without adequate blinds
• Weight of the window is placed on one pivot
• Manual operation

Benefits of a Skylight Window

There are several benefits to installing a skylight in your home. Below is a list of the main advantages of this type of work:

Adds Natural Light

The main benefit of adding skylights to your home is the fact that they allow so much natural light into your home. These windows also allow solar heat to come into your home.

Natural light is known to improve your mood and can help you to perform better with work and other tasks. Heating your home with sunlight can also help to save on heating costs in the colder months.

Allows Fresh Air In

Skylight windows can allow a lot of fresh air to enter your home. This can help with cross ventilation in stuffy rooms. It can also freshen the air and cool down your living space during the summer months, helping you to save on air conditioning or fan costs.

Saves on Energy Costs

As previously mentioned, the sunlight entering via your skylights can help to heat your home. The extra airflow from the windows can also help to cool down your home and make it feel fresher. Both of these aspects can help you to reduce your energy costs.

Adds to Resale Value

Adding skylights to your home is a very aesthetically pleasing addition. Any cosmetic changes to your home like this can add equity to your home and can help to increase the resale value. Many potential buyers will look fondly on skylights as they not only bring down your energy bills, but they are also very attractive.

How much Does It Cost to Remove a Skylight?

In some cases, you may want to remove a skylight from your home. For example, if you are having it replaced with a new window, if it was incorrectly installed, or if it is now outdated or not performing well anymore. When this occurs, you may need to know how much it costs to remove a skylight.

When it comes to removing and replacing a skylight, you can usually expect to pay around £150-£250 in labour costs. In most cases, this will include the cost of a waste removal company, who will take away your old window for free.

If you need to handle the waste removal costs yourself, you can expect to pay around £10-£60 for this depending on the size of the window.

FAQs

Q: Can you install a skylight on a flat roof?

A: You can install a skylight on a flat roof. However, planning permission may be required, and this will depend mostly on your chosen materials. You will also need to ensure that the work complies with the relevant building regulations.

Q: How do you block out light from a skylight in a bedroom?

A: The most effective way to block out light from a skylight in the bedroom is to have some blackout skylight blinds installed. These blinds will block out the majority of the light when needed, and you can choose to open the blinds as much as needed to allow the appropriate amount of light in.

Q: Is a skylight window safe for children?

A: Many skylights can be dangerous for children as they open up fully and could allow your child to fall out if you’re not watching them carefully.

Most of the time, skylights are out of reach, however, some balcony models are accessible and could be dangerous for children. There are many things that can make the window safe, such as locking mechanisms.

Q: What is a Velux window?

A: A Velux window is a specific brand of windows commonly used for roof skylight windows in the UK. Velux are the leading manufacturer of these types of windows, however, you can get some other brands, but these are not as popular.

Q: How often do I need to replace my skylight?

A: As long as you keep them well maintained, you should look to change your skylights roughly every 10 years.

Sources

1. https://www.flynnroofing.com/2018/06/24/pros-and-cons-of-having-skylights-installed-in-your-home
2. https://www.litehausuk.com/can-you-have-a-skylight-on-a-flat-roof
3. https://www.iko.com/na/learning-center/roofing-101/introduction-to-roofing-skylights/