Skylights can be a great addition to any home. Through the addition of natural light, you can reap the health benefits of increased Vitamin D levels and minimize the cost of your electric bills. However, when deciding whether or not to install a skylight, it’s important to consider the costs of incorporating one into your home.

4 Factors That Affect Skylight Installation Cost

There are a variety of factors to consider when deciding on a skylight. When looking into the overall cost of installing, maintaining, and owning a skylight, there are a few factors that directly impact the overall price.

1. Type of Skylight

Like most things in life, skylights come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Before nailing down a price point, it’s important to know the different styles of skylights on the market, and which make the most sense for your home.

• Fixed Skylights

Fixed skylights are the most common skylight amongst homeowners. They are basically a fixed window that sits on your roof at an angle designed to capture the greatest amount of light in the winter and mitigate sun rays in the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that the slope (or angle) of the skylight determines the level of sun exposure. Lower can have the opposite desired effect, where they capture great deals of light in the summer, but little to none in the winter. With light comes warmth, so you’ll want to consider installing a built-in sunshade with your skylight and have your roof properly assessed to assure you’re reaping the desired benefits. This style of skylight ranges from $150 to $1,500 but is dependent on a multitude of factors.

• Vented Skylights

Vented skylights are much like the fixed style, however, they can open up to let in the fresh air. Acting as a real, working window, these skylights are a great option to add some summer breeze to your home. With increased ventilation and airflow, these are ideal for smaller rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens and on average cost between $300 to $2,500.

• Tubular Skylights

These types of skylights are good for providing light in hallways and bedrooms. Their understated, circular shape is amongst the newest on the market and is great for tunneling natural light into darker areas. They’re less obtrusive to the design of your roof and unlike fixed skylights, they don’t have much impact on the level of heat gain and loss. A tubular skylight ranges between $450 to $1,300.

• Solar-Skylights

The priciest of the skylights, solar units are powered by the sun’s energy. With the same benefits as fixed and vented, these solar-powered skylights include sensors to open and close depending on the level of sunlight. They also include rain sensors to prevent water damage and can be programmed to prop at certain intervals. Ranging from $200-$3,000, solar skylights can add light and sophistication to any home.

2. Types of Roofing Material

The type of roof also affects the installation cost. Generally, roofing contractors find shingle roofs to be the easiest to work with. Metal and tile roofs tend to be a more complex process and can therefore increase the cost. Flat roofs can also handle skylights; however, all roofing types require skilled and well-practiced roofing technicians to properly install, such as those at Canuck Rooking.

• Shade and Blinds

For certain styles of skylights, including built-in shades or blinds can really benefit you in the summer months. As with any window, skylights bring in light as well as heat. Having a properly installed covering can help mitigate these sun rays in the hotter months, without limiting the benefits.

• Glass Types

There are a variety of options when it comes to the type of glass available for skylights. With this variety of choices, comes a difference in cost. Ordinary glass, while a cheaper option, tends to show water spots, is more fragile, and does not make a great sound barrier. When choosing the type of glass for your skylight, think of durability and efficiency. A good skylight contractor can assist in this choice, providing the pros and cons to each variety of glass.

3. Number of Skylights

How big is the room you’re wanting to renovate? It may require multiple installations which can increase the price of the job. However, with this in mind, you can limit the labor costs by installing the skylights in a row and avoid multiple roof shafts being removed.

• Save Money with Skylights

An increase in natural light eradicates the need to switch on that lightbulb. Skylights reduce the need for electric lighting, creating a more efficient, eco-friendly household. Therefore, while you’re reducing the size of your carbon footprint, you also spend less on electricity.

4. Labor Costs

When considering home renovations, you want to prioritize quality and experience. Unfortunately, a poorly planned skylight can have adverse effects on your home so it’s important to have them installed properly and efficiently. At Canuck Roofing, our Burnaby roofing contractors are well-trained and highly experienced professionals who can evaluate the space and assist in deciding whether a skylight will be a beneficial addition to your home. Reach out today to receive a quote on installing a skylight into your home.