What is the average cost of installing a skylight?

The price of installing a skylight can vary widely, depending on the type of skylight and whether you complete the work yourself or hire a professional. The increase in labor costs is due to the greater difficulty and additional work involved in installing a skylight on a flat roof compared to a sloped roof. However, more complex jobs, such as installing it on a sloped roof or manipulating a large skylight, can double the cost of the project. Curbside mounted skylights are ideal for roofs with an inclination of at least 60 degrees, but they can require more installation time, making this style of mounting more expensive.

Some insurance companies may even refuse to insure the roof if the company considers that the type of skylight installed is a liability. Most DIY enthusiasts usually commission the installation of skylights to contractors or window companies with experience in this type of specialized work. Like windows, skylights come in a variety of sizes, but many of them are only 25 inches wide, so they can be installed on trussed roofs that can't accommodate larger skylights. To install a skylight, it is necessary to cut the roof and position the skylight so that it remains weatherproof for many years.

The increase in the cost of the material is due to the fact that the glass of a flat roof skylight must be vaulted or pyramidal to reduce the risk of breakage and leaks.

To learn how these factors can affect the cost of your project, request a quote from a local roofing contractor.

However, if you have a beam roof, that is, a beamed roof, you have more sizing and customization options, as there is usually a larger space between the beams and, in most cases, a skilled installer can strategically cut a beam to make room for a larger skylight. If you have a wooden roof and want to install a skylight larger than the standard size, you'll pay even more for the skilled labor needed to cut the beams. However, hiring a professional skylight installer close to where you live is the best way to avoid injuries when working on the roof or paying for repair costs for water damage.

Custom skylights may be the best option if you have an uneven roof or if you install them during the construction of a new home or commercial building, rather than inserting them into an existing standard roof. Installing a skylight on a flat roof usually costs more than on a sloped roof because it requires more work with drywall. The type of roof and additional electrical work to add remote controlled ventilation functions can also increase the cost of installation. The labor costs to install skylights on sloped ceilings are usually lower because they are less difficult and less time consuming than flat roofs, which require drywall and a little extra labor.