VELUX is the largest skylight maker in the world and the default brand most roofers install, so a VELUX skylight in 2026 runs roughly $230 to $1,834 for the unit alone and $900 to $5,800 installed depending on whether the replacement skylight is fixed, manual-vented, electric, or solar. The premium over a generic skylight buys a decoded model system, a factory flashing kit, and a 10-year no-leak installation warranty when a certified installer fits it. Whether that premium is worth it comes down to one thing: how much you value the leak warranty and the resale of a name adjusters and buyers recognize.
This is a neutral buyer guide to the VELUX brand specifically. For generic skylight pricing across all brands, see our skylight installation cost guide; this page focuses on decoding VELUX models, VELUX-specific pricing, how VELUX compares to Fakro and Sun-Tek, and the 2026 tax-credit reality.
What are the VELUX skylight models, and how do you read the codes?
VELUX sells four functional types (fixed, manual-vented, electric-vented, and solar-vented) plus the tubular Sun Tunnel, and each carries a two- or three-letter code that tells you how it opens and how it mounts. Deck-mounted units sit low against the roof with an integral flashing skirt; curb-mounted units bolt to a raised wood curb. Reading the code before you shop stops you from buying the wrong mount for your roof.
The first letters tell you the function and mount. The Sun Tunnel is a separate tubular product for spaces a box skylight cannot reach.
| Code | Type | Mount | How it opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS | Fixed | Deck | Does not open |
| FCM | Fixed | Curb | Does not open |
| VS | Vented | Deck | Manual crank or pole |
| VCM | Vented | Curb | Manual |
| VSE / VCE | Vented | Deck / Curb | Electric motor, wall switch |
| VSS / VCS | Vented | Deck / Curb | Solar motor, no wiring |
| Sun Tunnel | Tubular | Roof to ceiling | Fixed light pipe |
What do the size codes like C08 or M06 mean?
The trailing size code (such as C08, M06, or 2246) is the fixed VELUX size that sets your rough opening, and you cannot change it without reframing. Deck-mounted units use a letter-number grid (C, D, M, S columns; 01 to 08 rows), where a C08 measures about 21 by 55 inches and an M06 about 30 by 46 inches. Curb-mounted units use a four-digit code (2246 means 22 by 46 inches). Match the size code to the space between your rafters before ordering, because the flashing kit is size-specific too.
How much does a VELUX skylight cost in 2026?
A VELUX unit alone costs $230 to $1,834 in 2026, and a professionally installed VELUX runs about $900 to $5,800 depending on type. Solar and electric vented models sit at the top because they add a motor, controls, and a rain sensor; fixed models are cheapest. Installed price also swings with roof pitch, tear-out of an old curb, and whether the drywall shaft needs rebuilding.
The table below separates the unit price from the installed price so you can see where the labor lands.
| VELUX type | Unit only | Installed (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed (FS / FCM) | $230 to $802 | $900 to $2,400 | No moving parts, longest odds of a dry install |
| Manual vented (VS / VCM) | $579 to $1,138 | $3,200 to $5,900 | Crank or telescoping pole |
| Electric vented (VSE / VCE) | $1,279 to $1,834 | $4,350 to $7,250 | Needs a licensed electrician run |
| Solar vented (VSS / VCS) | $1,279 to $1,834 | $4,250 to $7,150 | No wiring, may qualify for solar ITC |
| Sun Tunnel | $224 to $816 | $650 to $2,150 | Cheapest to install, fits tight spaces |
| Flashing kit (EDL / ECL) | $108 to $298 | Included above | Required for the no-leak warranty |
These are national ranges. Regional labor and pitch move the installed number more than the unit choice does, so gather several quotes. Our skylight installation cost guide breaks the labor line down further across all brands.
Is VELUX better than other skylight brands?
VELUX is not always cheaper, but it leads on two measurable things: the widest certified-installer network and a 10-year no-leak installation warranty most competitors do not match. Fakro, its closest rival, often undercuts VELUX on unit price and offers comparable glass, while Sun-Tek and Wasco compete mainly on domestic curb-mounted units. The right pick depends on whether you want the strongest warranty or the lowest sticker.
Here is how the main brands line up on the factors that actually change the buying decision.
| Brand | Unit price vs VELUX | No-leak install warranty | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| VELUX | Baseline | 10 years (certified install) | Widest installer network, solar vented range |
| Fakro | Often 10 to 25% lower | Shorter, varies by dealer | Price, side-hinged and pivot roof windows |
| Sun-Tek | Similar to lower | Manufacturer warranty only | Curb-mounted, Florida code approvals |
| Wasco | Similar | Manufacturer warranty only | Custom sizes, commercial units |
If you want to compare interior shading across these brands rather than the units, our skylight blinds guide compares VELUX, Sun-Tek, and DIY blind options directly.
What does the VELUX warranty actually cover?
The VELUX warranty is layered, and the headline “no leak” promise only applies when a certified installer uses a VELUX flashing kit. Understanding which layer covers what stops the common mistake of expecting the leak coverage on a self-installed unit. The coverage below reflects VELUX USA terms for deck-mounted glass skylights in 2026.
- 10 years on the skylight and flashing for material and workmanship defects.
- 10 years no-leak installation warranty, but only on FS, VS, VSE, and VSS deck-mounted units installed with a VELUX flashing kit by a certified installer.
- 20 years on the seal between the glass panes against fogging or film.
- 5 years on motors, controls, rain sensors, solar panels, and electrical accessories.
The no-leak layer is the single biggest reason to pay the VELUX premium, because skylights leak at the flashing far more than at the glass. If a unit does leak, our skylight leak repair guide walks through diagnosing the source before you tear anything out.
What is a VELUX Sun Tunnel, and when does it beat a box skylight?
A VELUX Sun Tunnel is a tubular skylight that funnels daylight down a reflective pipe from the roof to a ceiling diffuser, and it wins wherever a box skylight will not physically fit. It suits hallways, closets, bathrooms, and any room under an attic where framing a full shaft is impractical. At $650 to $2,150 installed, it is the cheapest way to add real daylight to an interior room.
Sun Tunnels come in rigid and flexible tunnel versions. Rigid tunnels lose less light over distance and are the better choice for a straight run; flexible tunnels bend around obstructions in a crowded attic but dim the output. The tradeoff is light quality versus install flexibility.
Are VELUX skylights worth it in 2026?
For most homeowners hiring a pro, VELUX is worth the premium because the no-leak warranty and certified-installer network reduce the biggest risk with any skylight, which is a leak the installer will not stand behind. If you are paying cash for a fixed unit and installing it yourself, a lower-cost brand like Fakro can deliver similar glass for less, since you forfeit the certified-install warranty either way. The brand premium buys risk reduction, not better daylight.
One 2026 change matters for the math. The federal residential energy-efficient home improvement credit that once helped offset skylight cost has largely lapsed for 2026, so do not count on the old 30% window-and-skylight credit. Solar-powered VELUX units (the VSS and VCS series) may still qualify for the residential solar Investment Tax Credit because the operating hardware is solar, which can meaningfully change the payback on those specific models. Tax treatment depends on your situation, so confirm eligibility with a tax professional before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a VELUX skylight cost installed?
A VELUX skylight costs about $900 to $5,800 installed in 2026. Fixed models (FS, FCM) run $900 to $2,400, manual vented $3,200 to $5,900, and electric or solar vented $4,250 to $7,250. Sun Tunnels are cheapest at $650 to $2,150. Roof pitch, old-unit tear-out, and rebuilding the interior light shaft push the number toward the top of each range.
What is the difference between deck-mounted and curb-mounted VELUX skylights?
Deck-mounted VELUX skylights (FS, VS, VSE, VSS) sit low against the roof with a built-in flashing skirt and give a sleeker profile and the no-leak warranty. Curb-mounted units (FCM, VCM, VCS) bolt to a raised wood curb and are common on low-slope roofs or when replacing an old curbed skylight. Deck-mounted generally sheds water better on standard-pitch roofs.
Do VELUX skylights qualify for a tax credit in 2026?
Most VELUX skylights no longer qualify for a federal tax credit in 2026, because the residential energy-efficient home improvement credit that once covered skylights has largely lapsed. Solar-powered models in the VSS and VCS series may still qualify for the 30% residential solar Investment Tax Credit, since the motor and controls run on solar. Confirm eligibility with a tax professional, as treatment varies by taxpayer.
How long do VELUX skylights last?
A VELUX skylight typically lasts 20 to 30 years, tracking the 20-year seal warranty on the glass and the general service life of the flashing. Motorized and solar units carry a 5-year warranty on their electrical parts, so controls may need service before the glass does. Lifespan depends heavily on install quality, since flashing failure, not glass failure, ends most skylights early.
Is VELUX or Fakro better?
VELUX and Fakro both make quality skylights, and the better pick depends on priorities. VELUX offers the widest certified-installer network and a 10-year no-leak install warranty, which favors homeowners hiring a pro. Fakro often costs 10 to 25% less per unit and offers strong pivot and side-hinged roof windows, which favors budget-conscious or DIY buyers who accept a shorter install warranty.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.