
Having a skylight can bring warmth into your home. However, there are many things to know before installing a skylight, such as how different designs provide varied lighting and benefits.
A skylight is more than just a hole in your roof — it can provide natural ventilation and make a room look bigger. However, it also can give off glare and result in heat gain. So, go over everything you need to consider before getting a skylight.
- 12 Things You’ll Wish You Knew Before Getting a Skylight
- 1. Skylights Can Provide Natural Ventilation
- 2. Each Skylight Design Offers Unique Benefits
- 3. Skylights Can Lead to Heat Gain
- 4. Different Skylight Shapes Provide Varied Lighting
- 5. Skylights Can Make a Room Feel Bigger
- 6. Skylights Help Save on Energy and Tax
- 7. Climate Has an Effect on Skylights
- 8. Automatic Skylights Add Convenience
- 9. Skylights Can Give Off Glare
- 10. Skylight Placement Matters
- 11. Skylights Can Last Several Years
- 12. Skylights Can Leak
12 Things You’ll Wish You Knew Before Getting a Skylight
Additional windows can fill your home with natural light. But think outside the box. Why not install the window on your roof? A skylight can let natural light into your home without exposing the interior to the elements. But before installing a new skylight, understand the following things first:
1. Skylights Can Provide Natural Ventilation

Kitchens and bathrooms where moisture and various odors accumulate can benefit from vented skylights. This type of skylight provides natural ventilation and better air circulation throughout the room. With proper ventilation, you can remove stale air and improve indoor air quality.
My Tip: While you can manually operate a vented skylight to open or close it, it’s better to choose a model equipped with automatic sensors that automatically open or close the skylight based on the temperature or humidity level.
2. Each Skylight Design Offers Unique Benefits
Apart from vented skylights that open to allow natural ventilation, other skylights offer varying benefits depending on the shape, design, and material. The following are just a few examples:
- Tubular skylight: Ideal for small spaces, tubular skylights redirect natural light through their reflective tubing.
- Plastic skylight: It’s less likely to shatter since the material is not as fragile as glass.
- Flat glass skylight: While more fragile than plastic, glass skylights offer a sleek and modern aesthetic.
- Double-insulated glass skylight: It can provide twice the insulation of a regular glass skylight.
- Fixed skylight: While it’s stationary, it can provide a clear view of the sky.
3. Skylights Can Lead to Heat Gain

Another thing to be aware of is that skylights can lead to heat gain, especially during summer. To combat this issue, you can install a skylight with glazing that has low solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC). This way, you can minimize the amount of solar heat entering the room and reduce the load on your cooling system and electric bills.
4. Different Skylight Shapes Provide Varied Lighting
The quality and direction of the light entering your home will depend on the shape of your skylight. For example, rectangular skylights provide more direct light. On the other hand, tubular skylights can evenly distribute light throughout the space.
Note: If you want a tinted skylight, you can use almost any shape as long as it’s made of flat glass or plexiglass. So, if you’re installing domed skylights, remember that window film or tint won’t adhere to curved glass.
5. Skylights Can Make a Room Feel Bigger

The first thing that comes to my mind when I want a room to look bigger is to add large mirrors — especially floor-to-ceiling ones. But it’s not good to do it for every room in the house. No one wants a house of mirrors. Thankfully, that’s not the only option.
A skylight also can help create an illusion of spaciousness and make a room feel larger. Since it fills the room with natural light from above, it can draw the eye upward and give a sense of openness. You’ll notice this effect more in rooms with limited windows or low ceilings.
6. Skylights Help Save on Energy and Tax
Since skylights reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, you can get significant energy savings. However, you must choose energy-efficient skylights with proper glazing and insulation.
Look for skylights with low-emissivity or low-E coatings, as they can help control heat transfer and maintain indoor temperature. You also can go for a skylight with double or triple glazing for enhanced insulation. To ensure lower monthly energy bills, remember to properly install and seal your skylights.
Besides saving on your electricity bills, you may qualify for the federal solar tax credit. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive anywhere from 22% to 30% tax credit, depending on when you installed the skylights.
7. Climate Has an Effect on Skylights

Since different climates have varying effects on skylights, you must base your choice of skylight depending on where you live.
If you live in an area with a hot climate, remember that excessive sunlight can make a room uncomfortable and increase cooling costs. So, it’s crucial to control the amount of sunlight entering your rooms. You can consider tinted skylights or use shading devices like blinds or awnings.
In colder climates, properly insulated skylights can keep your home warm while preventing heat loss.
My Tip: You also can take it to the next level by installing a passive solar heating system. This heating system can heat rooms directly by collecting natural light through skylights without needing to convert it to electricity.
According to Alexandra Rempel, building scientist at the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences, “there’s about 7 megawatt hours of solar energy available per household annually, at times of year when homes need heating.”
While it won’t completely take over conventional heating, a passive solar heating system can provide a typical family with about a third of the heat they need in a year.
8. Automatic Skylights Add Convenience
For convenience and greater control over lighting and ventilation, choose an automatic skylight. These skylights have sensors or remote controls that allow you to open, close, or adjust them automatically.
My Tip: You can program your skylights to open during certain hours to maximize natural ventilation or close them during inclement weather.
9. Skylights Can Give Off Glare

Homeowners install skylights since natural light is very desirable. However, excessive glare can be a concern. Glare occurs when direct sunlight enters the room and creates uncomfortable brightness or reflections on surfaces.
My Tip: To avoid the blinding glare, consider installing a skylight with glazing that has a low glare index.
Additionally, installing diffusers or shades can help diffuse the sunlight entering the room and soften its intensity. Proper placement of skylights and using interior finishes that minimize reflection also can help reduce glare.
10. Skylight Placement Matters
Choose the best place for your skylight depending on how much natural light you want in the room. Consider factors like the orientation of your home, the position of the sun throughout the day, and the specific room where the skylight will be installed.
Additionally, take note of obstructions like trees or neighboring buildings that may block sunlight. If you’re unsure where to place your skylight, you can ask an experienced roofer to help you pinpoint the best location.
My Tip: You can place a skylight on a south-facing roof if you want to maximize sunlight exposure. But if you’d rather have softer, indirect light, install your skylight on a north-facing roof.
How I Did This: In my bedroom, I installed a skylight facing the east because I want the morning sun to fill my room with light as early as possible. It helps wake me up — enough to give me energy until I get my first dose of coffee in the morning.
11. Skylights Can Last Several Years

On average, well-maintained skylights can last anywhere from eight to 15 years or even longer. However, a skylight’s lifespan can vary depending on various factors, including:
- Quality of materials used
- Installation process
- Maintenance practices
- Environmental conditions
12. Skylights Can Leak
The most common problem with skylights is water leakage. This issue can arise for several reasons, such as faulty flashing, inadequate sealing, or improper integration with the roof shingles or the entire roofing system.
So, remember to have your skylight properly installed and sealed if you don’t want water to seep in through your skylight and cause damage to your home. Also, schedule routine maintenance with a reliable roofing company. They can check for potential issues and perform necessary skylight repairs or adjustments.
Let the Light In
With all this information, you can now decide whether installing a skylight is right for your home. Skylights can help you connect with the beauty of the outdoors without stepping outside your home or getting out of bed. For the best results, consult a licensed roofing contractor to help you with the planning and installation process.
Main Image Credit: U. J. Alexander / Adobe Stock Free / License