Get matched with top skylight pros in Houston, AK

Yes, you can add blinds or shades to both roof windows and skylights, but roof windows tend to have more options available. Retractable skylight shades are popular on both options for added privacy, light control, and heat reduction, although they’re more expensive than manually-operated blinds or shades. If you have a roof window or skylight set in a high ceiling, a motorized or solar-powered skylight window covering is probably your best bet.

The average cost to install a skylight is about $1,850, and most homeowners pay between $450 to $5,000 each. Your total price tag will depend on many factors, including the type of roof material, the pitch of your roof, ease of accessibility, the skylight size, and the type of frame and glass you want. You can potentially lower your price if you install multiple windows or skylights simultaneously. Remember to budget $500 to $2,500 for labor costs to complete this project.

Skylights might sometimes increase your homeowners insurance premium, but the increase is usually minimal. Some home insurance companies won’t adjust your premium with the addition of a skylight, so you can contact your insurer or your professional skylight installer to ask about any expected changes. It’s crucial to have an expert install the skylight, as insurance companies may not insure your roof or cover water damage that results from a non-professional skylight installation.

When planning out skylights and deciding how big they should be, it's important to look at the dimensions of the interior space. In addition to changing a room aesthetically, skylights influence the illumination and temperature of the space below. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that a skylight’s size should never be more than 5% of the floor area in rooms with many windows.