Skylight Installation Cost in 2026: Fixed vs Vented vs Tubular

Tubular skylights installation cost runs $400 to $1,200 installed in 2026, against $400 to $1,500 for a fixed skylight and up to $4,000+ for a vented motorized one, with most homeowners paying $1,000 to $2,500 fully installed across all types. Related: Skylight replacement cost. The cost depends on the skylight type (fixed, vented, tubular), brand (VELUX, Sun-Tek, Kennedy Skylights, Wasco), structural complexity of cutting through the existing roof, and the drywall and interior finishing work that follows. A simple fixed skylight retrofit in an existing rafter bay takes a 2-person crew about 6 hours. A vented motorized install with a shaft cut and a finished interior box can take 2 to 3 days.

Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.

The short answer: skylight cost by type

Skylights split into five priced categories ($400 to $4,500 installed) with different installation methods. The table below covers product cost (the skylight itself) and installed cost (product, labor, flashing kit, interior finishing). All figures are for a single skylight in a 2026 retrofit (existing asphalt shingle roof).

Type	Product cost	Installed cost	Install time	Use case
Fixed	$150-700	$400-1,500	4-8 hours	Daylight in dark rooms
Manual vented	$300-1,200	$700-2,000	6-10 hours	Bathroom, kitchen ventilation
Motorized vented	$800-2,500	$1,500-4,000	1-2 days	Hard-to-reach high ceilings
Solar-powered vented (VELUX)	$1,200-3,000	$2,000-4,500	1-2 days	No hardwiring; federal 25D credit ended after 2025
Tubular (“solar tube”)	$200-600	$400-1,200	2-4 hours	Hallways, closets, small dark spaces

Fixed skylight ($400 to $1,500)

Fixed skylights don’t open: they are a sealed glazed unit in the roof plane, at $400 to $1,500 installed against $700 to $2,000 for a manual vented unit. With no moving parts there are fewer failure points, but there is no ventilation, which matters in bathrooms and kitchens.

Fixed skylight cost breakdown

• Skylight unit: $150 to $700 depending on size and glazing. A 22 x 46 inch fixed unit is a common size; price the exact model at a VELUX dealer, since the $150 to $700 range spans the size and glazing options.
• Flashing kit: $75 to $200. Brand-matched to the skylight. Never substitute generic flashing.
• Labor: $300 to $700. A 2-person crew at $80 to $120 per hour for 4 to 8 hours.
• Interior drywall finish: $100 to $300 typically (more for vaulted ceilings).
• Permit: $50 to $200 depending on jurisdiction.

Vented (manual) skylight ($700 to $2,000)

Vented skylights open and close, either via a crank handle (manual) or a motor. Manual vented runs the lowest installed cost of the operable family because there’s no electrical work. The catch is reachability: at a typical 9 to 12 foot ceiling, the crank is operated by a telescoping rod, which works fine but isn’t elegant. If you have not settled on a type yet, our fixed vs vented skylight comparison weighs price, daylight, and leak risk side by side.

When manual vented makes sense

• Bathrooms (ventilation for moisture)
• Kitchens (steam and cooking heat)
• Bedrooms with 8 to 9 foot ceilings (still reachable)
• Any project where the motorized premium is hard to justify, since no federal solar credit offsets it for 2026 installs

Manual vented adds about $300 to $600 over an equivalent fixed unit, mostly in the mechanism and slightly more labor.

Vented motorized skylight ($1,500 to $4,000)

Motorized vented skylights add an electric motor, typically with a wireless wall control and (on the premium VELUX and Sun-Tek lines) a rain sensor that auto-closes the skylight when precipitation starts. Motorized is the right answer for tall ceilings, vaulted spaces, and any installation where the homeowner won’t realistically reach the manual mechanism.

The VELUX VSE (electric) and VELUX VSS (solar) lines

• VELUX VSE: hardwired electric. $1,000 to $2,000 product cost, $1,800 to $3,500 installed.
• VELUX VSS: solar-powered (battery + photovoltaic). $1,200 to $2,500 product cost, $2,000 to $4,500 installed. The 30% Section 25D credit ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025 under Public Law 119-21, so a 2026 install generally gets no federal credit.

Through 2025, the 30% Section 25D credit was the main argument for the solar VSS over the hardwired VSE. With that credit gone for installs completed after December 31, 2025, the case for the VSS in 2026 rests on skipping new wiring to the opening, not on a tax refund, so compare installed quotes for both models on your roof.

Tubular skylight ($400 to $1,200, the budget option)

Tubular skylights (often called “solar tubes” or “sun tunnels”) are a different category. Instead of cutting a large opening through the roof, they pipe daylight through a reflective tube (Solatube’s Solatube lists 10-inch and 14-inch tubes in its Brighten Up series) from a small roof-mounted dome down to a diffuser in the ceiling below. They deliver daylight to interior rooms (hallways, closets, bathrooms) that can’t accommodate a traditional skylight.

Tubular advantages

• Lowest install cost: $400 to $1,200 installed.
• Fastest install: 2 to 4 hours for a single tube; Solatube says its residential tubes are “typically installed in 2 hours.”
• No drywall work through joists in most cases (tube routes through attic space).
• Small footprint: a 10-inch or 14-inch tube needs a far smaller roof opening than a fixed unit.
• Lower leak risk: smaller opening, simpler flashing.

Tubular tradeoffs

• No view of the sky
• No ventilation option
• Limited daylight in deep overcast (less reflection)
• Aesthetic: round ceiling diffuser, less architectural impact

Brand comparison: VELUX, Sun-Tek, Kennedy, Wasco

VELUX, Sun-Tek, Kennedy Skylights and Wasco are the brands this page prices. Only the warranty figures that the makers publish are listed below; confirm the rest with the maker. Our guide to VELUX skylight models and warranty covers the largest of them in detail.

Brand	Product range	Published warranty
VELUX	Fixed, manual and electric vented, solar vented, Sun Tunnel	20 years on glass seal, 10 years on product, 10 years on installation, 5 years on shades and controls (VELUX USA warranty page)
Sun-Tek	Glass and acrylic skylights	Check the maker’s current warranty and any Florida product approval for your model
Kennedy	Self-flashing fixed and vented glass, tubular (pitched, flat and curb mount) (Kennedy Skylights, Sanford, FL)	Limited lifetime against defects in workmanship and materials, per the maker
Wasco	Residential and commercial skylights	Check the maker’s current warranty
Other (Solatube, etc.)	Tubular daylighting	Varies by model

Compare quotes for at least two brands on your roof, and compare the warranty line by line: VELUX’s published 20-year glass-seal and 10-year installation terms are the benchmark the other quotes should meet or explain.

Installation labor ($600 to $1,500 typical)

Labor runs $200 to $500 for a tubular unit and $800 to $1,500 for a hardwired motorized one. A fixed skylight in a single-story home with attic access sits at the low end; a motorized unit in a vaulted ceiling on a two-story home sits at the high end.

Job complexity	Labor range	What’s included
Tubular skylight	$200-500	Roof opening, tube assembly, ceiling diffuser
Fixed skylight, attic access	$300-700	Cut opening, install flashing, basic drywall return
Fixed skylight, vaulted ceiling	$500-1,000	Above + custom shaft framing, drywall finish
Vented manual	$400-900	Fixed skylight scope + operable mechanism
Vented motorized hardwired	$800-1,500	Above + electrical run, wall control install
Vented solar (VELUX VSS)	$700-1,200	Vented manual scope (no electrical needed)

Roof penetration and flashing (where it gets technical)

The flashing system is the most important part of any skylight install. Skylight leaks more often trace to flashing than to the glazing. The brand-matched flashing kit (for example, VELUX’s EDL kit for deck-mounted units) is engineered to integrate with the specific skylight curb and the surrounding roofing material.

Flashing kit components

• Head flashing: the upslope piece that diverts water around the upper edge.
• Side step flashing: interlaced with shingle courses on both sides.
• Apron flashing: the downslope piece that diverts water away from the lower edge.
• Underlayment integration: typically self-adhered ice and water shield extending 6 to 12 inches around the skylight on all sides.

The four most common skylight flashing mistakes

• Using generic step flashing instead of the brand-matched kit
• Skipping the ice and water shield around the curb
• Caulking the head flashing to the shingles instead of integrating with the upper shingle course
• Installing the skylight too close to the ridge or eave (manufacturer minimums apply)

If you suspect a skylight leak, see our roof leak repair and how to fix a roof leak guides.

Energy code implications (Energy Star and low-E coating)

The ENERGY STAR skylight criteria (table dated October 2023) set these limits for residential skylights:

• Northern zone: U-factor 0.45 or lower, any SHGC
• North-Central, South-Central and Southern zones: U-factor 0.50 or lower and SHGC 0.25 or lower
• Air leakage of 0.3 cfm per square foot or less in every zone

ENERGY STAR states it does not require any specific technology, so low-E coatings and argon fill are common ways to hit those numbers, not requirements. Ask for the NFRC-rated U-factor and SHGC on the quote. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C), which required ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification for skylights and capped the skylight credit at $600, does not apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2025 under Public Law 119-21.

Skylight leak repair

The most common skylight leak is at the flashing, not the glazing, and repair runs $400 to $1,500. Symptoms typically include a damp ceiling around the skylight shaft or staining in the drywall return. The repair process is:

1. Identify the source. Water can travel along the roof deck before showing inside. Hose test from below.
2. Lift the upslope shingles to inspect the head flashing and ice and water shield.
3. Re-flash if needed. Often this means removing and re-installing the brand-matched flashing kit with new ice and water shield.
4. Re-seal the curb-to-flashing junction with NP1 or manufacturer-spec sealant.
5. Document the repair. Photos before/after, materials used. Critical for warranty.

Cost for skylight leak repair runs $400 to $1,500 depending on accessibility and flashing condition. Catastrophic flashing failure on a 10+ year skylight is often best fixed by replacing the entire unit while the shingles are lifted.

Glazing options: glass vs acrylic vs polycarbonate

The glazing (the transparent panel itself) is tempered or laminated glass, acrylic or polycarbonate, and the quote should name which.

If you need	Then ask for	Why
Glass breakage safety over a living space	Laminated glass	The interlayer holds fragments together if the pane breaks
To meet ENERGY STAR in the Northern zone	A unit rated U-factor 0.45 or lower	The October 2023 ENERGY STAR table
To meet ENERGY STAR in the other three zones	U-factor 0.50 or lower and SHGC 0.25 or lower	Same table
A budget unit for a garage or outbuilding	An acrylic dome, and compare its warranty with the glass options	Glazing material changes price and warranty terms; get both in writing

Glazing is a spec to confirm model by model: ask each maker which glass or acrylic your quoted unit uses, and compare the written warranty on the glazing and seal. VELUX publishes 20 years on the glass seal (VELUX USA warranty page).

Why laminated glass matters

Laminated glass has a plastic interlayer between two glass panes, the same idea as a windshield. If the glass breaks (impact, falling branch, hail), the interlayer holds the fragments together rather than letting them fall into the room below. This is the same construction used in car windshields. On a skylight directly above a living space, ask for laminated glass by name on the quote.

Blinds and shading options

Most skylight installations include blinds, shades, or solar control films. The options run from $50 to $800 per skylight:

Manual blinds

$50 to $300 per skylight. Roller shade or pleated blind, operated by a telescoping pole. Simple, reliable, no electricity required. Good for bathrooms and easy-reach locations.

Electric blinds

$200 to $600 per skylight. Wall-controlled motorized roller shade. Useful in tall ceilings and master bedrooms where remote operation matters.

Solar-powered blinds (VELUX FSC, FMC)

$400 to $800 per skylight. Photovoltaic cell on the blind cassette powers the motor. No wiring needed. No federal solar credit applies to 2026 installs, because the Section 25D credit ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025.

Blackout vs light-filtering

Bedroom installs typically pair blackout blinds with the skylight. Living spaces typically pair light-filtering shades ($50 to $800 per skylight, depending on manual or solar operation). VELUX offers blackout, light-filtering, room-darkening, and Venetian blind options for nearly every product in their line.

Skylight wells and shaft design

The skylight shaft (also called the well) is the boxed-out space between the roof opening and the ceiling opening. Shaft design matters for light delivery, not just construction cost. The three primary shaft styles each deliver different light patterns:

• Straight shaft: walls perpendicular to the ceiling. Throws a focused beam directly below the skylight. Lowest cost, narrowest light spread.
• Splayed shaft (4-sided flare): walls angle outward in all four directions as they descend. Light spreads broadly. Higher cost, much better light distribution.
• Asymmetric splay: one or two walls angle outward, the others stay straight. Used to direct light toward a specific area (a work surface, a reading nook).

For most residential installs in conditioned spaces, a 30 to 45 degree splay spreads light more widely than a straight shaft, at the $500 to $1,100 standard splayed-shaft finishing cost in the table below. The splay also makes the skylight feel architecturally intentional rather than utilitarian.

Skylight cleaning and maintenance

Annual cleaning ($75 to $200 if hired) and a flashing check catch leaks before they reach the drywall. The cadence:

• Annual exterior glass cleaning ($75 to $200 if pro, free if DIY with extension wand): removes airborne dust, pollen, and bird droppings that cut light transmission.
• Annual interior glass cleaning: cobwebs and dust on the indoor side.
• Annual flashing inspection: visible cracking, lifted edges, sealant condition.
• Sealant refresh on the curb-to-flashing junction on the maker’s schedule, using NP1 polyurethane or the manufacturer-spec product.
• Full flashing kit review before the 10-year VELUX installation warranty runs out; most older kits need resealing or replacement.

Tie this into the seasonal roof maintenance schedule and the spring inspection routine.

Curb-mounted vs deck-mounted

Skylights mount two ways to the roof structure. Deck-mounted skylights sit directly on the roof deck (low-profile, modern aesthetic). Curb-mounted skylights sit on a raised wood curb (older style, also used in flat-roof commercial applications).

Feature	Deck-mounted	Curb-mounted
Profile above roof	2-4 inches	6-10 inches
Look	Sleek, modern	Traditional, prominent
Leak risk	Slightly lower (lower water exposure)	Slightly higher (more flashing perimeter)
Cost	Baseline	More (curb construction adds materials and labor)
Best for	Most residential pitched-roof installs	Flat roofs, ventilation routing, replacements

Drywall and interior finishing cost

The interior box (called the skylight shaft) is where many homeowners get blindsided on cost. The roof and ceiling are typically not at the same elevation, so the skylight opening at the ceiling level needs framing, drywall, paint, and finishing.

Shaft styles

• Straight shaft: walls perpendicular to ceiling. Cheapest. Less light.
• Splayed shaft: walls angled outward to ceiling. More light, more drywall work, more cost.
• Angled shaft: walls angled toward one side. Common in vaulted ceilings, complex framing.

Interior finishing cost

Shaft type	Material cost	Labor cost	Total
None (vaulted ceiling, drywall to skylight)	$0	$0	$0
Short straight shaft (under 24″)	$50-100	$150-400	$200-500
Standard splayed shaft (24-48″)	$100-200	$400-900	$500-1,100
Long shaft / angled (48″+)	$200-400	$700-1,500	$900-1,900

Federal tax credits for skylights in 2026

Under Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025, the Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. IRS guidance (IRS FS-2025-05) treats an expenditure as made when the original installation is completed, so a skylight installed in 2026 does not qualify even if it was paid for in 2025. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C), which covered ENERGY STAR Most Efficient skylights up to $600, ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

Solar-powered skylights were also never a clean fit for 25D. The IRS list of qualified clean energy property names items such as solar electric panels, solar water heaters, and battery storage, not skylights, and VELUX now states on its federal tax credit page that it is unable to certify that any solar-powered skylight, accessory, or related installation cost qualifies under 25D. For a 2026 install, budget the full installed price, check current IRS guidance and a tax professional before counting on any federal credit, and look separately for state or utility programs, which vary by location.

Replacement skylight (vs new install)

Replacing an existing skylight is cheaper and faster than a new install because the structural opening already exists. Plan on $800 to $2,500 for a like-for-like replacement, depending on the new product tier.

What’s different about replacement

• No structural framing changes (usually)
• No new drywall shaft
• Existing electrical run (for motorized replacement)
• Full flashing kit replacement required (do not reuse old flashing)
• Often coordinated with a reroof for best flashing integration

If you’re replacing the entire roof anyway, that is the time to add a skylight. Adding a new skylight during a reroof can cost less than adding it as a standalone job because the flashing work is happening anyway; ask your roofer to price both.

Skylight frequency: where in the roof

Skylight placement matters for both light distribution and structural impact. Typical manufacturer clearances are below; the installation manual for your exact model controls:

• Minimum clearance from any ridge, eave, valley, or hip as the installation manual specifies.
• Centered between rafters when possible (avoids structural cutting).
• South-facing rooflines: best winter heat gain but require shading in summer.
• North-facing rooflines: consistent diffuse light, no heat gain spike.
• East-facing: morning light, good for bedrooms.
• West-facing: afternoon glare, often the worst orientation for living spaces.

Multiple skylights

If installing two or more skylights on the same roof plane, check the installation manual for the minimum horizontal space between units that the flashing requires. Most installers recommend matching unit sizes for visual balance.