Why The Right Skylight Matters

Skylights are more than just roof windows—they’re a strategic upgrade to your home or commercial space. The right skylight can brighten dark rooms, reduce energy bills, and increase your property value. But with so many styles and installation types available, finding the ideal skylight can be a challenge.

That’s where Skylights2Go comes in. As a certified VELUX distributor with nationwide shipping and over a decade of experience, we help homeowners, contractors, and builders find the right skylight solution quickly and confidently.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular skylight types, mounting styles, and key buying considerations to help you make an informed decision.

Types of Skylights and Their Benefits

Understanding the differences between skylight styles is the first step to choosing the right fit for your needs. Here are the most common skylight types we carry:

Fixed Skylights

Fixed skylights are designed to bring in daylight without opening. They’re a popular choice for living rooms, stairwells, and hallways where natural light is needed but ventilation is not. These models are also highly energy efficient due to their sealed design.

Best for: Consistent daylighting in hard-to-reach areas
Top Feature: Sleek, low-profile appearance

Manual Skylights

Manual skylights allow you to open the unit for ventilation using a hand crank or control rod. They're ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where excess heat or humidity can build up.

Best for: Spaces that benefit from airflow
Top Feature: Affordable and easy to operate

Solar Skylights

Solar-powered skylights combine natural lighting with eco-friendly technology. A solar panel powers the venting mechanism, eliminating the need for electrical wiring. These models often qualify for federal tax credits, making them an energy-efficient and cost-effective upgrade.

Best for: Homeowners looking to reduce energy usage
Top Feature: Solar-powered convenience with smart rain sensors

Electric Skylights

Electric venting skylights offer remote control functionality, perfect for out-of-reach areas like vaulted ceilings. These skylights also include automatic rain sensors that close the unit during inclement weather.

Best for: Maximum convenience and smart-home integration
Top Feature: Touch-button operation with weather protection

Skylight Mounting Options

In addition to style, it's essential to choose the correct mounting type for your roof:

• Curb Mount Skylights: Designed to sit on top of a raised frame, curb mount models are ideal for flat or low-pitch roofs. This is a traditional mounting method, often used in commercial buildings or retrofits.
  
  
• Deck Mount Skylights: These models install directly onto the roof deck, offering a sleek, low-profile finish. Deck-mounted skylights are great for residential homes with sloped roofs and provide better energy efficiency.
  
  
• Flat Roof Skylights: Specifically engineered for horizontal or near-horizontal rooflines, these units are built to resist pooling water and offer maximum durability.

Roof Windows and Tubular Skylights: Special Use Cases

While traditional skylights dominate the market, there are other daylighting solutions that offer unique benefits depending on your home’s design.

Roof Windows

Roof windows are similar to skylights but are designed to be within reach and fully openable. They often include side or top hinges and are commonly used in attic conversions, lofts, and above-garage spaces. These windows are especially useful in finished attic rooms that require both light and ventilation. With egress-compliant models available, roof windows are a functional choice in living areas where safety and airflow are essential.

Tubular Skylights

Tubular skylights (also known as sun tunnels) are compact daylighting devices that channel sunlight through a reflective tube from roof to ceiling. They’re ideal for small or interior rooms that don’t have space for a full skylight. Homeowners use them in closets, hallways, and laundry rooms to introduce natural light without compromising space or structure.

This type of skylight is also one of the most cost-effective solutions, often requiring less time and labor to install than traditional units. Though small, the impact they provide in transforming a dim interior into a vibrant and inviting space is significant.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Skylight

To select the right skylight for your project, a few key aspects should guide your decision: roof pitch, room function, energy efficiency, and technology features. First, match the skylight’s mounting type—curb or deck—with the slope and construction of your roof. Next, think about the purpose of the room. A bathroom or kitchen may benefit from a venting unit, while a hallway or office could be suited for a fixed or tubular skylight.

Energy efficiency is another essential factor. Models with low-emissivity coatings and insulated glass can help regulate temperature and reduce UV exposure. Finally, consider if a manual, electric, or solar-powered skylight with smart features best fits your lifestyle. Rain sensors, wireless remotes, and built-in shades can add comfort and protection.

When and Where Customers Search for Skylights

When researching online skylight purchases, buyers frequently ask questions about compatibility, installation, and durability. Their search patterns indicate common points of confusion: differences between curb and deck mounting, vented vs. fixed, and how roof pitch impacts selection. These insights shape how we organize product information and customer support.

One of the most common queries we see is how to choose a skylight for a specific room type. Bathrooms require privacy and humidity control. Kitchens demand easy-to-clean solutions and ventilation. Attics often need options that meet egress code. By grouping products by use case and offering tailored advice, we remove guesswork from the decision-making process.

Why Contractors and Homeowners Trust Skylights2Go

At Skylights2Go, our reputation has been built on offering clarity, completeness, and confidence with every order. For contractors, we’re a one-stop shop—stocked and ready to ship nationwide. For homeowners, we provide the same expertise and product range professionals rely on, paired with dedicated customer service.

Whether you’re installing one skylight or twenty, our team can walk you through flashing kits, dimensions, energy ratings, and installation guidelines. Our entire VELUX catalog is available online, including exclusive models and accessories. We also carry full lines of flashing, trim kits, and shades—ensuring your entire system arrives compatible and ready to install.

Your Skylight Purchase Starts Here

Whether you’re remodeling a room, adding natural light to a dark space, or specifying skylights for a new construction project, Skylights2Go is your nationwide source for high-quality daylighting solutions. With one of the most complete inventories of fixed, manual, electric, solar, and tubular skylights online, we make it easy to get the product you need—fast.

Backed by VELUX’s warranty and supported by real customer service experts, your skylight journey starts and ends with confidence.