Skylight Installation Cost Calculator
Plan your skylight project with 2026 pricing. Pick the skylight type, size, roof material, and options — get an itemized installed-cost estimate with a realistic low–high range, plus a per-skylight price and any multi-unit discount. 100% client-side: nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Typical installed cost: $500–$2,500 per skylightEstimate your skylight cost
How much does a skylight cost in 2026?
National contractor data for 2026 puts most residential skylight installations between $500–$2,500 per unit, with the project average landing near $1,500–$2,000. The spread is wide because the skylight itself is only part of the bill — cutting the roof opening, framing, flashing, and finishing the interior often cost as much as the unit. Our benchmark fixed 2x4 ft double-pane skylight on an asphalt roof prices at $1,840 installed ($1,240–$2,830), which lines up with published 2026 guides.
| Skylight type | Installed cost (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed (non-opening) | $900–$2,500 | Daylight on a budget; rooms that do not need ventilation |
| Vented — manual | $1,500–$2,800 | Kitchens and bathrooms where airflow matters |
| Vented — solar / electric | $2,000–$4,500 | Hard-to-reach skylights; remote or automatic control |
| Tubular (sun tunnel) | $500–$1,200 | Hallways, closets, baths — light without a view |
Ranges above reflect published 2026 contractor guides; the calculator produces a tighter estimate for your exact combination.
What drives the price of skylight installation?
Four factors move the number most. Type sets the baseline: a fixed unit has no moving parts, while vented and solar units add operators, motors, and wiring. Size scales the glass, frame, and roof opening — a 4x4 ft unit costs roughly 45% more than a 2x2 ft one. Roof material drives labor: asphalt shingle is the easiest to cut and flash, metal adds about 25% to labor, and tile or slate adds about 50% because every tile around the opening must be cut by hand and flashed individually. Install scenario matters too: cutting into an existing roof (retrofit) is the most expensive, installing while the roof is open (new construction or re-roof) cuts labor by about 30%, and swapping a unit into an existing curb sits in between.
Cost factors at a glance
| Factor | Typical effect |
|---|---|
| Tile / slate roof | ~1.5x labor vs asphalt |
| Metal roof | ~1.25x labor vs asphalt |
| Steep pitch (over 8/12) | +$150–$300 labor |
| New construction / re-roof timing | ~30% less labor |
| Curb-mount frame | +$120–$260 |
| Double-pane glazing | +$120–$220 |
| Low-E coating | +$180–$300 |
| Laminated glass | +$220–$360 |
| Triple-pane glazing | +$340–$520 |
| Lightwell shaft | $100–$180 per foot |
| Flashing kit | $80–$260 |
| Blinds / shades | $200–$600 |
| Rain sensor (vented) | $100–$220 |
| Building permit | $75–$300 |
| 2 skylights / 3+ skylights | −5% / −10% total |
Worked examples
Two realistic projects, priced step by step with the same engine that powers the calculator.
Example 1 — two fixed 2x4 ft skylights, double-pane, curb-mount, asphalt shingle retrofit
- Unit: 2x4 ft fixed skylight $420–$1,020 (mid $624).
- Double-pane glazing $120–$220 + curb-mount frame $120–$260.
- Labor on an asphalt shingle retrofit: $385–$770 per unit.
- Flashing kit $120–$260 + permit $75–$300 per unit.
- Subtotal per unit $1,240–$2,830; x2 units = $3,688 mid, minus 5% multi-unit discount = $3,500 ($2,360–$5,380).
Example 2 — one 10-inch tubular sun tunnel in a hallway, asphalt shingle roof
- Unit: 10-inch tubular sun tunnel $200–$500 (mid $320).
- Labor is simpler — a small roof penetration, no big opening to frame: $175–$350.
- Flashing kit $80–$180 + permit $75–$300.
- Total installed: $840 ($530–$1,330) — about $1,000 less than the fixed skylight in Example 1.
The tubular unit delivers daylight for roughly half the money — the right call when you need light in a hallway or bathroom but not a view of the sky or fresh air.
When is a tubular skylight the cheaper choice?
A tubular sun tunnel wins on price whenever the job is about light rather than view or ventilation. Hallways, walk-in closets, laundry rooms, and interior bathrooms rarely benefit from a full-size operable skylight, and a tubular unit installs for $840 versus $1,840 for a standard fixed skylight — a $1,000 saving on the same roof. Tubular units also skip the lightwell framing cost in many homes because the reflective tube snakes through the attic without drywall work. Choose a full-size skylight when you want a view, passive solar heat in winter, or ventilation; choose tubular when you just want the room to feel brighter during the day.
Tips to keep your skylight project on budget
Skylight installation cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install a skylight in 2026?
How much does a fixed skylight cost installed?
How much does a vented skylight cost?
How much does a tubular skylight (sun tunnel) cost?
Does skylight size change the installation cost?
How does roof type affect skylight installation cost?
Curb-mount vs. deck-mount skylight: which costs more?
Is it cheaper to install a skylight during a roof replacement?
How much do skylight labor and flashing cost?
How much does the lightwell shaft add to the cost?
What glazing should I choose, and how much extra is it?
Do I need a permit to install a skylight?
How much do skylight blinds and rain sensors cost?
Do installers discount multiple skylights?
Are solar-powered skylights eligible for tax credits?
Related calculators
Planning the roof work around your skylight? Roof cost calculator · Roof repair cost calculator · Roof pitch calculator · Attic insulation calculator
Free tool by NRTechStudio