How Much Does a Skylight Installation Cost In 2024?
Whether you're considering a window in the roof, a Velux skylight, or other types of skylights, our guide provides detailed insights to help you plan effectively.
Let's take a look at the costs involved...
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-£2,000 for the installation of a skylight. This price includes the cost of materials, labour, and waste removal.
What's so good about a skylight anyway?
A skylight is a great way to let extra daylight into your home, as well as improve the ventilation in and around your house, which in turn reduces energy costs.
Velux Window Prices in 2024
Below is a list of the costs you can expect for various skylight installation jobs:
| Job | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Velux window installation cost | £600-£1,200 |
| Large Velux window installation cost | £1,400-£1,700 |
| Small roof dome installation cost | £600-£900 |
| Small skylight installation cost | £600-£1,200 |
| Large skylight installation cost | £1,200-£2,200 |
| Roof terrace installation cost | £6,000-£12,000 |
| Electric top hung installation cost | £1400-£1800 |
| Top hung installation cost | £1,600-£2,000 |
| Centre pivot installation cost | £900-£1,500 |
- How Much Does a Skylight Installation Cost In 2024?
- What are the Supply Costs of a Skylight Window Installation?
- What are the Additional Costs of a Skylight Installation?
- Tradesmen Costs for Installing a Skylight
- How Long Does It Take to Fit a Skylight Window?
- Types of Skylight Windows
- Benefits of a Skylight Window
- How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Skylight?
- Planning Permission and Regulations
- FAQs
- Sources
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:
| Supply | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small roof terrace | £4,200-£6,200 |
| Large roof terrace | £5,200-£7,200 |
| Small electric top hung window | £1,100-£1,700 |
| Medium electric top hung window | £1,200-£1,800 |
| Large electric top hung window | £1,300-£2,200 |
| Small balcony | £2,000-£4,000 |
| Large balcony | £4,000-£8,000 |
| Small top hung window | £600-£900 |
| Medium top hung window | £800-£1,200 |
| Large top hung window | £1,050-£1,450 |
| Small centre pivot window | £600-£900 |
| Medium centre pivot window | £600-£1,200 |
| Large centre pivot window | £1,200-£1,500 |
| Flat roof skylight | £600-£1,000 |
| Pyramid skylight | £550-£950 |
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-glazed 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.
Refer to our double glazing price guide for more information.
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 £890-£5250. However, it could be more depending on the type of door you choose.
Refer to our patio door price guide for more information.
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 £10,000-£90,000. 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.
Refer to our loft conversion price guide for more information.
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 £200-£350 per day, and you can expect to pay a labourer around £100-£150 per day. This means that the overall cost you can expect to pay for the labour with this type of work is around £300-£500 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 £60-£90 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.
Skylight Installation Process
Your skylight installation will partly depend on the type of skylights you choose. However, as a rough guide, here's what to expect:
- Your contractor will carry out a full assessment and confirm the proposed skylight will clear any external obstacles. If they have any suggestions or concerns at this point, you should take them on board.
- In conjunction with your contractor, choose the right materials for your skylight installation, including glazing and flashing options.
- On the day of the skylight installation, interior furniture will need to be moved or covered to protect it during the work. If scaffolding is required, this will need to be ready before the work can begin.
- The alignment of the skylight will be checked and the opening marked before the job begins.
- The opening will be cut in the roof, with any roof felt or waterproof membrane trimmed back.
- The frame support will be installed next. The specifics of this will depend on what your contractor has discussed with you, but it could require support trimmers between rafters or doubling up rafters for extra strength.
- The frame or base unit can now be installed, along with any flashing to create a watertight seal between the skylight and the rest of the roof. At this point, tiles or slates may need to be trimmed to integrate properly with the new skylight.
- Internal finishing such as insulation, vapour barriers and plastering can be undertaken.
- Final checks, including waterproof testing, followed by waste removal.
The overall skylight installation cost should take all these steps into consideration. If you're unsure, speak to your contractor and ask them to break the process down for you.
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 provide 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 a 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.
Planning Permission and Regulations
Skylight installation usually falls under Permitted Development Rights. This means that skylights can be installed without formal permission in most cases. However, there are exceptions to be aware of:
- A listed building will always need permission for a skylight installation or any building work.
- Some restrictions may be in force in Conservation Areas, so you may need to seek permission if you live in one.
- Flats are often exempt from Permitted Development Rights, so you may need permission.
It's also worth noting that significant alterations to a property may require planning permission anyway. So, if a skylight installation is part of a larger scheme of work, make sure you see if permission is needed.
Planning permission isn't usually required, but check with your local authority if you're unsure.
Regulations
There are building regulations that apply to skylight installations. This means approval will be needed to ensure the building is still safe.
This covers:
- The structure where the new skylight hole was cut.
- Effective waterproofing of the area around the new skylight.
- Overall ventilation of the room to ensure air still flows.
- Home energy efficiency and whether the installation lowers that too much.
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
- https://www.flynnroofing.com/2018/06/24/pros-and-cons-of-having-skylights-installed-in-your-home/
- https://www.litehausuk.com/news/can-you-have-a-skylight-on-a-flat-roof
- https://www.iko.com/blog/introduction-to-roofing-skylights/
