Roof Skylight Cost Guide

Roof skylight cost can vary based on various factors such as the size and type of window, the complexity of the installation process, and the location of the window. 

In this article, we will provide an overview of the cost of installing a skylight window and discuss the benefits of having one, as well as the potential timescales involved in the installation process. 

We will also explore any additional considerations you should keep in mind when considering installing a skylight window in your home.

How Much Does a Skylight Cost?

Installing a skylight can be a cost-effective way to brighten up your home with natural light and improve the air circulation in your home. When it comes to installing a skylight, there are numerous solutions available that may accommodate any budget. 

Typically, the installation process costs between £500 to £2,000, which includes the cost of materials, labor, and garbage disposal. Therefore, regardless of your budget, you may locate a suitable skylight.

Velux Window Cost

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

Supply Cost of Installing Skylight

There are numerous variants of skylight windows, and each style of window is priced differently. In the following table, you can see the various prices for skylight windows. These are the costs for materials just, excluding labor expenditures:

Additional sky installation cost

This type of work could incur numerous additional expenses. Below is a list of additional projects you may choose to explore in addition to installing skylight windows:

Double Glazing

If you decide to get skylights installed, you might also want to consider replacing all the other windows in your home with double glazed ones. On average, the cost of installing double glazed windows in your home is around £3500 to £7500. The final price will depend on the size of the windows, the materials used, and the number of windows you want to replace.

Patio Doors

In addition to skylights, you may be interested in getting a new patio door installed. The average cost for this is around £500 to £2000, though it could be more depending on the type of door you choose.

Loft Conversion

If you’re planning on installing skylights as part of a loft conversion, you might be wondering about the cost of the entire project. The overall cost of a loft conversion can vary widely, from about £25,000 to £100,000. The price range is so large because it depends on things like the type of conversion, the materials used, and any additional work needed.

Labour cost of installing roof skylights

It’s generally best to hire a professional company to install your skylights, as it can be a challenging job. The team typically consists of a skylight specialist and a laborer.

In terms of labor costs, you can expect to pay a skylight specialist around £200 to £350 per day and a labourer around £100 to £150 per day. This means that the overall labor cost for this type of work is around £300 to £500 per day. There may be additional costs if extra work is needed or if the location is difficult to access.

Keep in mind that homeowners in the London area may have to pay around £60 to £90 more per day for labour compared to those in the North or other parts of the UK.

Timeframe for Installing Skylight

Installing a skylight window typically takes 6 to 12 hours when a team of two people is working on it. If you’re adding a balcony, the process can take 1 to 2 days.

There are a few factors that can affect the overall timeline for the job. These include preparation (e.g., moving furniture or difficulties accessing the area), the need for reinforcements if the roof isn’t strong enough, any additional work required, adding more than one window, and the size of the window (larger windows may be more difficult to install and take longer).

Types of Roof Skylights

Roof Terrace

This type of skylight is similar to a Velux balcony, but it follows the shape of the room and opens up like a hinged doorway leading to the balcony. 

Pros: floods the room with natural light, and provides easy access to the balcony. 

Cons: light can be blinding without adequate blinds, lack of privacy, requires a lot of space, and high costs.

Electric Top Hung

These windows are operated by a fixed switch or remote control. They are similar to a top-hung window, but they have electrical controls instead of being 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 during a power cut, vulnerable to strong winds when open.

Balcony

A balcony installation can be complex and takes longer than most other skylight installations. It’s typically made up of fixed frames and pivoted frames and provides a unique, elegant aesthetic. 

Pros: allows a lot of light to enter, provides additional space, and beautiful aesthetic. 

Cons: space is temporary, very expensive, and requires a lot of space and a secure structure.

Top Hung

This type of skylight is similar to a center pivot, but the window opens from the top hinge, allowing it to open completely. This is a huge benefit as it adds an additional escape route in case of fire. 

Pros: window opens fully, provides an additional escape route, unobstructed views. 

Cons: difficult to clean, vulnerable to strong winds when fully open, maybe a safety issue for children, light can be blinding without adequate blinds, weight of the window is placed on one pivot, manual operation.

Centre Pivot 

This is a popular model where the pivot is in the center of the frame and allows the window to tilt, providing ventilation through the top and 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 like rain, the roof can leak if it’s not closed properly, light can be blinding without adequate blinds.

Benefits of Roof Skylights

There are several benefits to installing a skylight in your home. Here are some of the main advantages:

Adds Natural Light

Skylights bring natural light into your home, which can improve your mood and help you perform better. They also let in solar heat, which can help save on heating costs in the winter.

Allows Fresh Air In

Skylights can allow a lot of fresh air into your home, which can improve cross ventilation in stuffy rooms and cool down your living space in the summer, potentially saving on air conditioning or fan costs.

Saves on Energy Costs

The sunlight coming in through your skylights can help heat your home and the extra airflow can help cool it down, both of which can reduce your energy costs.

Adds to Resale Value

Skylights are a visually appealing addition to your home that can add equity and increase the resale value. Many potential buyers will appreciate the energy-saving and attractive features of skylights.

Cost of Removing Roof Skylight

You may need to remove a skylight from your home for various reasons, such as replacing it with a new window, fixing an incorrect installation, or updating an outdated or malfunctioning window. If this is the case, you might be wondering how much it costs to remove a skylight.

The cost of removing and replacing a skylight is usually around £150 to £250 in labor costs. This often includes the cost of hiring a waste removal company to dispose of the old window. If you need to handle the waste removal on your own, it can cost anywhere from £10 to £60 depending on the size of the window.

Looking for a roofing contractor?

In conclusion, the cost of installing, removing, and replacing a skylight can vary depending on factors such as the type of window, the materials used, the location, and the amount of labor required. It’s always best to hire a professional company to handle the work for you, as skylight installations can be complex.

We hope this information was helpful and gave you a better understanding of the costs involved. If you have any further questions or would like to get in touch with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out.