Choosing the Right Skylight: Types, Features, and Benefits Explained

Are you feeling stuck due to the large variety of skylight options and unsure which one will truly meet your needs? Do you want to know what to consider when selecting the perfect skylight for your home?

At RoofSmart, we install and replace about 1,000 skylights every year. We make sure to have an in-depth conversation about what each customer wants out of their skylight and where they want to place it, so we understand the challenges of finding the perfect fit.

This article will walk you through the main types of skylights, key features, and how each one can suit your unique needs. By the end, you’ll be equipped to choose the skylight that best fits your need for natural light, privacy, convenience, and energy efficiency.

What are the benefits of getting a skylight?

Often when you’re getting your roof redone it’s out of necessity. Most people don’t spend a lot of time outside admiring their roof, so putting in a skylight is a nice way to enjoy the work that went into your roof job every day.

Residents of the Seattle area know that the long stretches of our gray, rainy winters can be brutal. So having a skylight to let in more light, especially during a rare instance of actual sunlight, can make a big difference in your mood and in how much your enjoy your living spaces.

Skylights can also help with:

• Boosting your home’s curb appeal
• Providing extra ventilation to prevent mold and water damage
• Letting in extra light and heat during winter

What are the main types of skylights?

The most common type of skylight is the standard rectangular shape that comes in two categories: deck-mounted and curb-mounted. There are also round, tubular skylights.

Here’s an overview of all these types of skylights:

Deck-mounted Skylights

Deck-mounted skylights are placed directly into the roof. These are very common; when you imagine a typical skylight, most likely what you’re thinking of is the deck-mounted style.

These are more prone to leaking because it can be hard to properly seal the flashing around a deck-mounted skylight. It is difficult to access because it sits on the roof.

Dealing with a leak or some other issue with a deck-mounted skylight can be time-consuming because taking out a deck-mounted skylight requires pulling up the roof around it.

This becomes an even bigger problem if you have a metal roof because metal is not easy to repair. But no matter what kind of roofing material you have, you’ll need a roofer to repair or replace the deck-mounted skylight.

Generally, it is a good idea to replace deck-mounted skylights when you’re replacing your roof because it is such an in-depth process to replace them if you have any issues.

Curb-mounted Skylights

Curb-mounted skylights are different because they are installed on top of a frame. So, instead of being placed in the roof, curb-mounted skylights are several inches above the actual roof, resting on their own little platform that is installed into the roof.

This is easier to seal because it is flashed along the bottom where the platform meets the roof to keep water out.

If you need to remove or replace a curb-mounted skylight, it’s very easy. You can simply unscrew it and take it off. No roofer is required, so you can even do it yourself.

Tubular Skylights

If you don’t want rectangular skylights, you can get a tubular-shaped skylight instead. They are less expensive to add than deck-mounted skylights because you don’t have to do all of the drywall work.

These are beneficial if you have a limited amount of space on the roof to install a skylight or if you want to funnel light from the roof through the attic or to a lower level of the home.

What features can I add to my skylight?

After you’ve decided which type of skylight you want, it’s time to decide if you want any added features. You do need to be aware of the type of glass you use because there are safety regulations in place, but the rest of these features are optional.

Opening Skylights

A standard skylight is known as a fixed skylight, meaning that it doesn’t open. But, if you want added ventilation in your home, you can get a skylight that opens. There are a few different options.

There are three ways to operate opening skylights:

1. A hand crank: These are reliable because they operate manually and you don’t have to worry about a mechanism inside breaking. But, you do have to keep track of the pole that you use to operate it. It can be tedious to manually open and close the skylight in consistently rainy weather.
2. Electricity: Another option is to get a skylight that operates on electricity. That way, you can open or close it at the push of a button. This is much more convenient, but it does bring up the cost of the skylight itself, and the installation costs to make sure everything is wired properly.
3. Solar power: For a more eco-friendly option, you can install a solar cell that charges up your skylight. At the push of a button, you can open or close your skylight, but installing a solar-powered skylight is very expensive.

However, you can get a tax credit in the Seattle area for installing solar panels, so you’d get 30% back on your taxes for the cost of installing them.

Here’s a solar-powered skylight:

As a resident of a rainy area like Seattle, you might be thinking that getting an opening skylight is a bad idea and will lead to leaking or water damage in your house.

We want to assure you that there have to be very windy conditions in addition to rain for an opening skylight to leak when it’s open. It can happen, but even if you get a little water inside your house from that, it wouldn’t be like getting a roof leak.

Instead, it’s similar to when it’s raining and you walk inside with your wet shoes. It’s not going to have devastating consequences because the water will dry and evaporate. As long as your skylight is not constantly trapping and retaining lots of water, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Roof Windows

A side category of opening skylights is roof windows. These are technically still skylights, but they have a latch that allows the roof to open a little bit (it pushes out like an awning). These are not as commonly used, though, because most skylights aren’t within reach.

Blinds

Yes, that’s right. You can get blinds for your skylight!

You can get blackout blinds or light-filtering blinds, depending on how much light you want to get through. You can also choose if they are operated manually or electronically.

It might seem unorthodox, but having blinds can be convenient in many different situations. For example, you might want the option to have complete darkness even if the sun is out, or even to just reduce the brightness of the sun.

Blinds are also nice to have if your house is close to your neighbor’s rooftop deck. You might find that after getting a skylight you want to be able to block their view. It is common in Seattle for houses to be built very close to each other, with varying heights, so blinds might be a helpful option if you know you’ll want the option of more privacy.

You can also choose what kind of blinds to get based on the location of the skylight. You might want complete darkness in your bedroom but only reduced light in gathering spaces like the living room or dining room.

Different Types of Glass

You can also choose different types of glass to use in your skylight depending on how high up they are and your personal preferences. Here are the options:

• Tempered glass: This type of glass is used more often because it is the more affordable option. However, it is not allowed in skylights over 12 feet high. It’s designed to be strong and resist breakage, but when it does break it shatters and flies everywhere.
• Laminated glass: This type of glass is used in skylights that are higher than 12 feet because it is designed to not shatter upon impact. The pieces won’t disperse because they’re adhered to an inner layer. It’s the same as glass used in windshields. So, if a tree branch falls on your laminated glass, it won’t come through. It is a safer, but more expensive, upgrade. This type of glass also tends to be better at blocking outside noise (like an airplane flying by) and even protects from UV rays.
• Frosted glass: This option is not as common, but you can get frosted glass to give you more privacy and help diffuse the sunlight that comes in. You get a bit less light, but it’s a good alternative if you want more privacy or shading but don’t want to install blinds. Frosted glass does need to be specially ordered though, so it can take a while to get to you.

Custom Sizing

Figuring out the sizing for your skylights can be a confusing and frustrating process. There are different sizes you can choose from, but if those don’t work for the type of skylight you want then you can custom order a different size.

But, ordering custom sizes can get very expensive and the wait time is usually 3 to 6 weeks.

Skylight Features Comparison Table

Here is a table to help you quickly compare skylight features and easily see the benefits of each feature.

What factors should you consider when choosing a skylight?

Here are some important things to keep in mind before your installation to avoid additional project delays or costs:

• Are you replacing an existing skylight?: If you already have a skylight, the replacement process is typically simpler and more cost-effective. Ensure you choose the correct size to fit the existing opening. In some cases, minor adjustments, like extra framing, can be made to accommodate slight differences. However, significant resizing may not always be feasible.
• Access to interior spaces: Installing a new skylight often requires access to the interior of your home. Be prepared for additional work inside, such as creating a light shaft or reworking drywall to integrate the skylight seamlessly into your living space. By carefully evaluating whether you’re replacing or adding a skylight, you can better plan for the scope of work involved and make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and budget.

Choosing the Right Skylight for Your Home: Next Steps

Now that you have a clearer understanding of the types of skylights, their features, and the benefits they offer, you’re ready to make an informed decision.

Remember, it’s important to consider your home’s specific needs, from the type of skylight to any additional features like opening mechanisms, blinds, or specialized glass.

Whether you’re seeking to brighten your home with natural light, improve ventilation, or add a unique design element, selecting the right skylight can make all the difference.

Now that you’re familiar with your skylight options, you’re probably wondering how much it costs to get a new skylight. Read our article “How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight in the Seattle Area?” to learn about installation costs and which factors impact how much you’ll pay.