How much does it cost to add a skylight to your home?

If you need more natural light inside your home, adding a skylight to a room is a great way to get it. It can be achievable when installing a new window isn’t, and light from above rather than the side of the house provides fabulous illumination.

But it’s always important to know how much you should budget for home renos, including important elements like a skylight that can make or break the project, so you can plan your spending.

These are the details on how much it will cost to add a skylight to your home, and the options available.

How much does it cost to add a skylight?

The cost to add a skylight to your home depends on a variety of factors including the type, the size, its framing materials, and how many you are having installed, but you can work from an estimate.

‘The average cost to add a skylight to a home is $1,520, ranging from $1,080 to $1,970,’ says Ornella Bianco, home improvement specialist at Fixr. This is for an average installation project of two skylights, including both materials and labor.’

Use our guide to find out how much your choice might cost according to the options you select.

Labor costs

The final bill for adding a skylight will include the cost of the skylight itself, along with the labor involved in installing it.

‘The average split between the cost of the skylight and the labor will vary, depending on whether it's an installation or a replacement, among other factors such as the complexity of the project,’ says Ornella.

‘On average, skylight material costs vary between $210 and $1,027, while labor costs typically range from $120 to $320 if you only install a single skylight.’

Type of skylight

Skylights can be fixed, simply letting in daylight, or they can be ventilating versions that open, and the type you opt for influences what you can expect to pay.

‘Fixed skylights that do not open are generally less expensive, ranging from $295 to $537, while ventilating skylights with opening options are pricier, ranging from $574 to $1,044,’ says Ornella.

Materials and glazing

The framing material of a skylight also factors into how much you’ll spend, as does its glazing.

‘A skylight’s framing material can affect both its cost and performance,’ explains Ornella. ‘Vinyl frames are typically the most affordable option, while wood frames tend to be the most expensive. Metal frames fall somewhere in between, offering a balance between cost and durability.’

Think, too, about glazing. ‘Different glazing materials also influence the skylight cost,’ she says. ‘Polycarbonate, ranging from $280 to $510, is a budget-friendly option, while laminated glass provides a middle ground, priced at $560 to $1,020. On the high end, tempered glass ensures durability at a higher cost, ranging from $590 to $1,070.’

Size

A sizeable skylight will make an impact, but you’ll need to consider if going big is within your budget.

‘Skylights vary in size, influencing their cost and the amount of natural light they bring into a space,’ says Ornella. ‘Smaller options like the 22 x 22 inches are more affordable, ranging from $210 to $490. Larger skylights, like the 44 x 46 inches are pricier, ranging from $560 to $1,030 due to increased materials.

Bear in mind the installer’s time needed for larger skylights as well. ‘Additional labor may also see the cost of the project increase,’ says Ornella.

Shape

If the project requires a skylight that’s not a typical shape, be aware of the implications.

‘Skylights with non-standard shapes or designs, such as oval, pyramid, or dome may require custom manufacturing, which can increase the overall cost compared to standard shapes like square, circle, or rectangular,’ says Ornella.

Additional factors

Your project might bring other costs that need to be considered when budgeting.

‘Several factors contribute to the overall cost, including accessibility to the installation site, roof height and pitch, roofing materials, added features like electronic controls or blinds, and any required electrical work,’ says Ornella. ‘Hiring an electrician could add between $440 to $790 to your skylight installation.’

A skylight is a great way to increase natural light in your home and can be a useful solution to boost daylight in your kitchen since the wall space may be needed for cabinets making it hard to fit additional windows. They can make a vaulted ceiling an even more arresting feature as well.