In the market for a skylight? Here’s all you need to know

Posted on 15th September 2025
Skylights

Is there anything more transformative than opening up a dark space? KBB journo Laurie Davidson investigates why skylights are a clear winner for the home…

While there’s a time and a place for dark, cavernous rooms, most of us will agree that a light-filled space makes for an inviting place to spend time in, with the added benefit of giving us that all-important connection to the outdoors. Of course, not everyone’s home is geared up that way, and it’s not always practical to put in extra windows or doors.

Step in, skylights – the overhead windows that are on hand to fill your room with light, offer views of the sky, and, in some cases, add extra value to your property, too.

Modern kitchen with handleless units and a multi-functional island with a skylight above it.
“Integrated flush with the roofline – on pitched or flat surfaces – skylights come in a range of formats, from structural walk-on models to motorised versions equipped with rain sensors,” says Caroline Milns from Zulufish.

“There are numerous ways to optimise the flow and impact of natural light within a space, and the strategic use of glass – whether through roof lanterns, skylights, or advanced structural glazing – can dramatically transform both atmosphere and architectural character,” says Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish.

Need some inspiration to get you started? Read on to explore a variety of shapes and sizes, along with some important factors to consider before making your choice…

Guide to skylights

You’ll need to take into account the type of your roof (pitched or flat) and the design you’re after; whether it’s a ventilating skylight that opens and closes like a regular window, or a roof lantern, which is designed to add extra height (and light) to a room.

Classic Shaker kitchen with gold hardware, a painted structural beam, a concealed extractor and narrow skylight.
Extended kitchens, particularly those with a side extension, often benefit from a long narrow skylight overhead, as it means the walls can be better utilised for cabinetry rather than doors or windows. Bologna floor tiles, from £91 per sq m, Otto Tiles & Design.

Skylight versus roof lantern

If you’re confused about the difference between a skylight and a roof lantern, it may help to know that, typically, a skylight is a window built right into the roof (often a sloping or pitched roof), while a roof lantern tends to project outwards from the roof – almost like a pyramid.

Modern and sophisticated scheme with metallic cabinetry and a statement island.
The island in this kitchen by Ledbury Studio is illuminated by a brass pendant light and by the stylish roof lantern, which has a graduated geometric shape that gives it a regal look. This standout form only emphasises the detail in the rest of the room. Kitchens are priced from £70,000.

Then there’s a rooflight, which is similar to a skylight but tends to work on homes with flat or low-pitched roofs, and is often a larger glass panel that protrudes slightly from the roof.

You can choose between open and fixed skylights and rooflights. Open designs are great if you want to be able to ventilate your room as you can open and close them as needed, but keep in mind that they’re usually more costly, while fixed (non-opening) skylights work purely to allow more light in.

A bright bathroom design with a green shower area, terrazzo flooring and wood furniture.
If your room faces directly onto a neighbour’s property, or you just want some privacy, a skylight is the perfect alternative. And, of course, you can make them a real design feature, like this circular one that perfectly echoes the curves of the shower space. Omeara silver electric towel rail, £202.50, UK Radiators.

There’s also the option to have a sun tunnel, which works by bringing lighting in through a specially designed reflective tube. Sun tunnels are good when your room isn’t next to an external wall, or you don’t have direct access to natural light through windows.

Placement

Placement is key for a skylight. Whether you want to gain more light in a dark kitchen to make for better vision while cooking, or you want to be able to lie in a bath and look out at the stars, be smart as to where you locate them, and factor that into your design from the beginning of any home projects.

As a general rule, skylights can’t protrude more than 15cm above your existing roof plane, otherwise you’ll need to apply for planning permission.

A reading nook next to a skylight.
Rather than a traditional Velux, this bedroom by Mia Karlsson has a modern take on a dormer window (delivered by Chris Dyson Architects), which floods the room with natural light but isn’t located directly over the bed. Positioning a chair underneath creates a practical spot to relax or read with plenty of natural daylight. Photography: Ben Sage.
A colourful bedroom design with pink and blue wallpaper, velvet furnishings and patterned cushions, flooded with light through a skylight.
Sloped walls are often hard to utilise, being that cabinetry and furniture won’t sit well against them. That’s when a skylight works well, as demonstrated in this bedroom, designed by Nicky Dobree, which has used a large, oversized single Velux window for indirectional side light. Photography: Philip Vile.
Modern kitchen design with wood furniture, a dark island clad in white surfaces and a roof lantern.
As they capture light from a wider range of angles, roof lanterns, like the one in this kitchen by Kitchens By Holloways, can be a smart choice if you have room, offering the added benefit of opening up a space and making it appear larger. Not only that, but they can be energy efficient too, which means you’ll have a room that’s cooler in the summer and warmer in those colder months.

Ventilation

It’s not just extra light that skylights can offer, either – ventilation is also important in rooms like bathrooms, which are known for their humidity, especially with so many bathrooms being windowless. That’s when a skylight can be beneficial and, these days, you can get windows with smart technology, so they’re easy to open and close as needed, to allow fresh air in.

Neutral bathroom with chrome hardware and white sanitaryware.
Velux roof windows, like this one from Velux, come in a range of sizes, from the more compact to larger options. They can be hinged from the centre or at the top (ideal for an obstructed view), and are perfect for bathrooms when ventilation is required.

Choosing the right type of glass for your skylight

It’s important to ensure your skylight has the right type of glass to prevent your room from becoming too hot, which can be dictated by the direction the room faces. If needed, you do have the option to choose glass that is able to reflect solar heat, reduce glare, and protect from UV rays, although this is more costly than typical glass.

But solar-control low-E (emissivity), tempered, and laminated glass are all more durable, and can help with heat regulation, for example. Do your research before you start, to avoid any costly mistakes.

A bright kitchen extension with glazing and a skylight.
Not so much a skylight, as a big expanse of glass, this model appears in a room created by HollandGreen. It is stunning, energy efficient, and futureproof. Thanks to its extensive glazing, it floods the interiors with light and exceeds the current building regulations for thermal efficiency, reducing heat loss and maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout the year.
A grey bathroom design with large format tiles and concrete-effect basin.
A skylight over the shower area in this bathroom designed by Arc Design Studio bathes what would have otherwise been a dark wash space in sunshine in summer, while brightening it considerably in winter.
A bright kitchen design with Shaker cabinetry, a stone-clad island, and a wide expanse of glass on the roof.
When your overhead glazing flows seamlessly from roof to walls, as it does in this kitchen from Olive & Barr, it allows a glimpse to the outside, connecting the homeowner with nature and creating an impactful design. As a finishing touch, the slim black frame echoes the chunkier version on the doors next to it for consistency. Glazing by Bespoke Glazing Design.

Other key considerations

Think about how you’ll open and close your new window – if it’s in a hard-to-reach area, then you may want to choose a remote-controlled design. This goes for cleaning it too; a self-cleaning glass can be useful, but, as skylights can be prone to collecting flies, you’ll need to be able to remove them when they gather, which is where extendable cleaning devices come in handy.

Neutral cabinetry with double island and a grand roof lantern.
This handcrafted solid-wood kitchen, from the Teddy Edwards range by Kitchen Architecture, features parallel islands in a conservatory-style kitchen extension, where natural light floods through the roof lantern up above. The timber frame matches the details elsewhere in the room and has created an open-plan, sociable space with a breakfast bar and separate dining table. Kitchens start from £60,000.

The size of your skylight, type of roof and any other building work will all determine how long installation will take, but it’s usually around one to two days.

And lastly, costs for skylights really depend on the size and the glass you’re using, but you can expect to pay anywhere from £500 for a small Velux window up to £2000 for a large roof light.

A bright kitchen design with a green island and skylight above it.
In this space, designed by Claire Garner Design Studio, the roof lantern draws natural light in, while enhancing the sense of height and openness. “Unlike flat skylights, a roof lantern introduces vertical interest and becomes a striking focal point, particularly in rooms with high or vaulted ceilings,” says Claire. Photography: Davina Paterson.

Enjoyed this post? Click here to find out how to make your kitchen design not look like a kitchen

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