Skylight Types for Your Home: Find Your Home’s Perfect Light

The sky is literally the limit.

With a wide selection of types of skylights, you have the ability to transform any room in your home into a vibrant, light-filled space. 

By bringing in natural light, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing architectural appeal, skylights offer a unique way to elevate your living space. 

Whether you’re embarking on a renovation or simply enhancing your existing home, the right skylight can dramatically change the ambiance and value of your property. 

With the right choice, your home will not just look brighter; it will feel renewed.

The Types of Skylights for Your Home

Fixed Skylights

Fixed skylights are a go-to, simple choice for homeowners seeking reliability and enhanced natural light without the need for ventilation. 

These are permanently sealed, which means they don’t open or close. Ideal for spaces where consistent lighting is desired, they offer a clear view of the sky and are less prone to leaks since they do not have any moving parts. 

• Great for: Rooms where ventilation is not a priority, such as attics or bonus rooms.
• Cost: Fixed skylights start at around $1,900. The price is affected by whether the skylight installation needs to be deck-mounted or curb-mounted, the glass choice, and other additions, and can go up to $4,200.

Vented Skylights (Roof Windows)

Vented skylights, often called roof windows, are designed to provide not only light but also air circulation. 

Vented skylights can be controlled either manually or with motorized controls. 

In addition to lighting, vented skylights provide fresh air, help avoid moisture build-up, and can reduce cooling costs by releasing hot air that naturally rises to the ceiling.

• Great for: Kitchens and bathrooms where ventilation is essential to prevent moisture build-up. 
• Cost: Vented skylight costs can range between $2,100 and $5,800. The biggest cost influencer is if you choose a manual or electric skylight.

Tubular Skylights or Sun Tunnels

Tubular skylights, also known as sun tunnels, are especially suited for smaller spaces or areas where traditional skylights are not feasible. 

These compact, tube-shaped designs (picture a larger dryer tube) capture sunlight through a dome on the roof and channel it down through a reflective tube, dispersing light evenly into the room below. 

They come in rigid and flexible styles to work with any space and in different lengths, starting at 10”. 

• Great for: Illuminating hallways, closets, or bathrooms, providing a significant amount of light with minimal structural impact.
• Cost: These sun tunnels start at around $850, making them a highly cost-effective option. 

Power Options for Your Skylights

Electric Skylights

For the ultimate convenience and comfort, electric skylights can open and close with the touch of a button.

Electric skylights are hard-wired and can connect to a standard junction box easily.

These skylights are also often equipped with rain sensors; they automatically close when they detect moisture, making them a smart choice for worry-free operation. 

• Great for: Electric skylights are particularly suitable for areas with vaulted or high ceilings, such as lofts or 2-story atriums, where accessing traditional skylights for manual operation may be challenging. They are also ideal for rooms with limited accessibility, such as above staircases or in rooms with furniture obstructing access to the skylight.
• Cost: Depending on the complexity of the installation, electric skylights can range from $4,000 to $6,900. 

Solar Powered Skylights

Solar-powered skylights have a solar panel on them that captures any available daylight and is the power source that opens and closes the skylight. 

These are an eco-friendly option that also removes the need to run power to your skylight and speeds up installation.

Like electric models, these skylights can be opened and closed remotely and also usually come with features such as rain sensors for automatic closing. 

• Great for: Energy-conscious homeowners who want to minimize their environmental impact while enjoying the practical benefits of modern skylight technology in any room of their home.
• Cost: These solar-powered skylights range from $2,800 to $5,700.

UV Protection Options for Skylights

Modern skylights come with a variety of UV-blocking options that enhance their functionality and energy efficiency.

Including UV protection in your skylight is essential to prevent harmful ultraviolet rays from sun-bleaching or fading interiors and furniture and to ensure comfortable living spaces. 

Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass

This glass is created with a built-in coating that reflects heat while allowing light to pass through, minimizing UV and infrared light penetration. It helps maintain temperature control and prevents fading of interior furnishings. 

Tinted Glass Options

Available in various shades, tinted glass reduces glare and heat gain, effectively blocking harmful UV rays. It’s perfect for areas receiving extensive sun exposure.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass blocks over 99% of UV radiation and holds shattered glass in place, enhancing safety and UV protection. 

Reflective Coatings

These coatings are applied externally to reflect sunlight away, reducing heat gain and UV exposure. They are ideal for sunny climates.

Solar Shades or Blinds

Adjustable shades or blinds provide additional UV protection and light control, with options for manual or motorized operation. They come in the same styles as traditional shades, including room darkening, light filtering, and Venetian.

Choosing the right location for your skylights can maximize their benefits.

If you spend a lot of time in a room during the day, a skylight can increase the natural light, reducing the need for lamps. This is great for your mood and your electricity bills.

Those steamy bathrooms or smoky kitchens can be improved with ventilation from a free-air skylight.

Or, if you’re just interested in adding aesthetic value, a skylight can brighten up any room. Some of the prime spots for skylights are:

• Living Rooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Hallways and Staircases
• Home Offices

Choose Martini Roofing and Velux for Your Skylight Installation

Elevate your home with the expertise of Martini Roofing and the quality of our partner, Velux Skylights. 

As a certified Velux installer, Martini Roofing offers a range of top-tier skylight options that promise not just illumination but also innovation, with features like solar power and advanced UV protection. 

We’ll deliver a seamless installation experience backed by durable, energy-efficient products and robust warranties.

Let us transform your space with the beauty and efficiency of natural light. 

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