Skylight

Would you like to have a skylight installed? With a roof window, you bring more light into a room and let in more fresh air easily. Apart from the well-known velux roof window, several other types of roof windows exist. This article covers roof window prices, options and smart tips. So you know exactly what to look out for.

What does a roof window cost?

The cost of buying a roof window is often lower than the cost of installing an ordinary window. Roof window prices depend on the number of choices you make. For example, think about the size of your roof window, whether you have a sloping or flat roof, whether you will have the roof window replaced or install a new one and what extras you choose. See the table below for the average skylight installation cost for the most commonly chosen skylight sizes.

Types of skylights

If you will have a skylight installed, it is first important to determine which type of skylight you want to buy. Generally, three types of roof windows can be distinguished: the tumbler window, sash windows and flat roof windows. These are generally wooden or plastic roof windows. Want to know more about the different types and which type of skylight is the cheapest? Read more below.

Tumbler window

A tumble window is the best-known roof window. A tumble window turns 180 degrees and has a ventilation grille, allowing you to ventilate a room without your skylight open. This roof window is available in many different sizes, so there is always a size to suit your idea. For example, choose a vertically placed skylight for a great view, or opt for a beautiful wide tumble window.

Falling window

A falling window opens in a different way to tumble windows, namely with hinges at the top of the window. As a result, a sash window does not open as far as a tumbler window. You choose whether you want this skylight to open outwards or inwards.

Dormer window flat roof window

Have a flat roof but still want the benefits of a skylight? That’s no problem, there are also solutions for a flat roof. Instead of a skylight, many people choose a skylight for a flat roof. Here, it is also possible to choose a flat skylight to make it really look like a skylight. For example, you open these skylights with a remote control, which means you enjoy fresh air and daylight.

Darkening for your skylight

With a skylight, it is nice to have suitable darkening, especially if the skylight is in your bedroom. With a skylight blind, for example, you can easily darken the room and keep some heat out. There is a limited choice when choosing a skylight blind, as they are often brand-specific. However, this ensures that the blind always fits perfectly and completely darkens your room. On average, a skylight blind costs between £60 and £220, depending on the size of your skylight.

Advantages of a skylight

Besides the fact that having a skylight installed gives more light, there are, of course, more advantages. For the perfect overview, read a list of all the advantages of a roof window below.

• The higher resale value of your house

Installing a fixed roof window adds even more advantages to your home, which will come in handy when you sell your house. A skylight, as you read earlier, provides more light. This, of course, is an advantage in itself. The light also makes the room where the skylight is located seem larger.

• Better ventilation

Is your skylight an attic window, and is it too hot in the attic on summer days? With a skylight, you ventilate the room more easily, making it more comfortable. This is extra important if you also sleep where your skylight is. Good ventilation ensures that you sleep better and that there is less chance of moisture problems.

• Lower energy costs

Because you have more light with a skylight, you are less likely to turn on a lamp. Also, by opening your skylight, you save on the cost of a ventilation system. Therefore, skylights are also a sustainable investment.

Fitting a skylight: Roadmap

Fitting a skylight is a project that involves knowledge and expertise. It is, therefore, always wise to hire a specialist for it. This way, you can avoid damage to your roof and be sure you will enjoy a properly functioning roof window.

Place and dimensions of your roof window

Before the specialist starts work, it is important to determine where he will install your roof window. You must place the skylight at least 90 centimetres from the floor, both for a vertical skylight and a horizontal skylight. The skylight specialist will, of course, be happy to advise you on the perfect place for your skylight. This also applies to the ideal dimensions of your roof window. With a low roof, a small or 4-paned roof window is more obvious. Do you have a large and high roof? Then you have all the options for a large roof window.

Measure and cut

After you have determined the location and dimensions, it is time for the specialist to get to work. Usually, a roof window installation is done within a day. He will measure the dimensions of your skylight and cut the beams supporting your skylight to size. He then makes a small hole in your roof and removes the first tiles. From this hole, he continues working on installing your skylight and starts making the whole hole needed for your skylight.

Fixing the frame and flashings

After cutting out the hole, it’s time to install the skylight. After that, it’s time to fix the frame and install the flashings. This will ensure that your skylight is properly sealed and no water leaks.

Roof tiles put back

Now that your skylight has been installed, the specialist will return the tiles he had put aside. Your skylight is now fully working and all that is left for you to do is enjoy it.

Do you need a permit for a skylight?

As a rule, you do not need a permit for a skylight installation. This is only if you adhere to the following requirements:

• The daylight facility (skylight) does not protrude more than 60 centimetres from your roof.
• The sides of the daylight facility (skylight) are 50 centimetres away from the edges of the roof surface.

Handy tips for buying a skylight

There are quite a few choices involved in buying a skylight. After you have made all these choices, of course, you want the rest of the process to go smoothly. So read some more smart tips below.

Compare quotes

Before engaging a roof window specialist, it is worthwhile to get several quotes first. This is because different roof window prices vary considerably from one specialist to another. By comparing the quotes and looking carefully at what is included in the price, you can be sure that you are choosing the best specialist.

Look for quality marks.

When choosing a skylight, it is advisable to look out for the Police Quality Mark for Safe Living. If a skylight has this quality mark, the skylight is well secured and the chances of a burglar entering your home this way are minimal. In addition, when choosing a specialist, look for the Dakvenstermeesters Montage Keurmerk. Specialists with this quality mark are quality-tested and have the appropriate certificates.

Think about multiple roof windows.

Would you like to have several roof windows installed? Then it is smart to do it all at once. This will save travel costs for the specialist and you will enjoy the beautiful end result faster. In addition, you often receive a volume discount from the specialist if you buy several roof windows. If you do not want to install additional roof windows, it is also an idea to ask your neighbours if they would like a roof window installed. This way, you will still save on skylight costs.