Fixed Daylighting
Fixed skylights, curb-mounted units, deck-mounted units, and flat roof skylights bring daylight into spaces where ventilation is not required. Comparisons cover size ranges, glazing packages, curb details, and roof pitch limits.
Product Type Picker
Compare Skylights By Application
Skylight products are usually selected around daylight goals, roof conditions, ventilation needs, flashing systems, and interior finish details.
Ventilation & Access
Vented skylights, solar-powered units, and roof windows add exhaust ventilation and sometimes roof access. Comparisons include manual, electric, solar, rain sensor, and insect screen options.
Compact Light Delivery
Tubular daylighting devices serve hallways, closets, bathrooms, and compact spaces where a full roof window is not practical. They route daylight through a reflective tube from a small roof dome.
Understanding Skylights
Skylights and roof windows introduce daylight and ventilation through horizontal or low-slope roof planes — applications where vertical fenestration cannot reach. They are specified by rough opening size, curb or deck-mount detail, glazing performance, condensation resistance, and waterproofing system.
Residential skylights are typically self-flashing or curb-mounted units from catalog stock; commercial and institutional projects often require custom or atrium-scale systems with engineered curb details and NFRC-certified ratings. Coordination with roofing and structural trades is critical regardless of scale.
Installation Types — Pros & Cons
Skylight selection centers on how the unit mounts to the roof and whether ventilation is needed. Each installation type has different flashing requirements, size options, and maintenance considerations.
Deck-Mounted (Self-Flashing)
- Low profile — minimal height above roof plane
- Manufacturer-integrated flashing kit reduces error
- Easier to re-roof around unit
- Limited to manufacturer's catalog size range
- Not compatible with all roof assemblies or pitches
Curb-Mounted
- Works with any size or custom unit
- Elevated curb aids water management on low slopes
- Compatible with site-built or prefab curbs
- More complex flashing detail than deck-mounted
- Higher profile above roof plane
Tubular Daylighting Device
- Serves tight or remote spaces — hallways, bathrooms, closets
- Minimal roof penetration footprint
- Cost-effective for single-room daylight delivery
- No ventilation capability
- Diffuse light only — no view or sky connection
- Limited to compact spaces
Fixed Skylights
- Lowest cost and simplest installation
- Maximum glazing area for daylight delivery
- No mechanical components to maintain
- No ventilation — heat can build below unit
- Condensation risk in humid climates without proper glazing spec
Venting / Operable Skylights
- Provides exhaust ventilation and stack effect cooling
- Electric, solar, and rain-sensor models available
- Insect screen options for operable units
- Higher cost than fixed units
- Mechanical components require periodic maintenance
- Seal integrity is critical — leaks more likely over time
Commercial / Custom
- Engineered for any size, load, and performance specification
- Can be operable or automated
- Supports high-performance glazing assemblies
- Long lead time and engineering coordination required
- Significant cost premium over catalog units
Pricing Expectations
Skylight pricing varies by unit type, size, glazing, and mounting complexity. Ranges below cover supply only — installation and flashing add meaningful cost on top.
Residential Fixed Skylight
$300 – $900 supply only
Standard catalog sizes, curb or deck mount. Installation and flashing add $300–$800 depending on roof complexity.
Venting / Operable Skylight
$700 – $2,500 supply only
Manual, electric, or solar-powered venting units. Controls, shades, and rain sensors add cost.
Commercial / Custom
$2,500 – $15,000+ per unit
Engineered curb systems, large custom glazed openings, automated venting. Structural coordination and long lead times apply.
What To Track On Product Pages
Each skylight product page should help homeowners, architects, and roofing contractors match glazing packages, flashing systems, ventilation controls, and roof conditions before they compare brands or request pricing.
- Glazing
- Tempered, laminated, low-e, tinted, impact-rated, double pane, triple pane
- Installation
- Curb-mounted, deck-mounted, self-flashed, site-built curb, roof pitch limits
- Controls
- Fixed, manual venting, electric venting, solar controls, rain sensors, shades
- Project documents
- Manufacturers, flashing kits, energy ratings, warranty terms, accessories
Key Terms to Know
These glossary terms come up frequently when specifying or comparing skylight and roof glazing products.
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