Velux makes some of the best residential skylights available. The glass is excellent. The sizing options are extensive. The solar venting models are reliable. The accessories are well thought out.
But even a high-quality skylight can leak if it’s installed incorrectly. That’s why most skylight problems aren’t product problems. They’re installation problems.
The goal isn’t simply choosing a good skylight. The goal is installing it in a way that becomes part of the roof system and stays watertight for years to come. That’s where experience matters.
Velux Skylights We Install
Velux FCM Fixed Curb Mount
The FCM is the most common Velux skylight we install. It’s durable, versatile, available in a wide range of sizes, and works well on both residential and commercial projects. For many homeowners, it’s the simplest and most reliable solution.
Velux Solar Venting Skylights
For homeowners who want both daylight and ventilation, solar-powered venting skylights are a popular upgrade. Benefits include:
- Natural ventilation
- Remote operation
- Rain-sensing automatic closure
- No new electrical wiring required
These units use integrated solar power to operate the venting mechanism and can often be installed without modifying the home’s electrical system.
Velux Sun Tunnel (Solar Tubes)
For spaces where a standard skylight isn’t possible, interior hallways, closets, bathrooms, rooms without direct roof access above, a Sun Tunnel brings in natural daylight through a highly reflective tube routed between joists and finished with a ceiling diffuser.
The installation footprint is smaller than a standard skylight, and the roof penetration is simpler. They work on pitched roofs and some low-slope applications. They don’t provide ventilation and they don’t open, but for a space that currently has no daylight at all, the difference is significant.
We install both rigid and flexible Sun Tunnel models depending on what the joist layout allows.
Low-Slope and Flat Roof Applications
For flat and low-slope roofs, proper curb construction becomes especially important. Many flat roof skylight leaks occur where the roofing membrane meets the skylight curb, not at the skylight itself. We build curbs to the appropriate specifications and integrate the flashing with the roofing system so water is directed away from the opening correctly.
Choosing the Right Velux Size
The best skylight size depends on more than the roof opening. Factors include:
- Rafter spacing
- Ceiling height
- Room size
- Roof orientation
- Desired light levels
A hallway, kitchen, living room, and stairwell all benefit from different daylighting approaches. We’ll evaluate the space and recommend the appropriate Velux model and size before installation begins.
Why Installation Matters More Than the Brand
Velux provides a quality product. The installation determines whether that product performs the way it was designed to. A properly installed skylight should:
- Remain watertight
- Integrate with the roofing system
- Handle thermal movement correctly
- Provide long-term durability
- Require minimal maintenance
Most skylight leaks we inspect originate in flashing details, roof integration, or installation shortcuts, not in the skylight itself. That’s why we focus so heavily on framing, flashing, and waterproofing details during every installation.
Velux Skylight Installation Cost
Pricing depends primarily on whether you’re cutting a new opening or replacing an existing unit.
New Cut-In (New Roof Opening)
$2,500–$3,500 on a composition shingle roof. Tile roofs run higher due to tile removal, cutting, re-flashing, and reset around the new opening.
Replacement of Existing Curb-Mounted Skylight
$900–$1,200 for standard Velux sizes replacing an existing unit in the same opening. The curb is already built, the scope is removing the old unit, rebuilding the flashing, and installing the new one.
Solar Venting Upgrade
Add approximately $1,500–$1,750 to either figure above. Note: Velux now bundles shades with their skylights, the shade is included in the package price whether you want it or not.
Pricing varies with roof type, skylight size, accessibility, and framing conditions. We’ll provide a clear proposal before work begins.
Common Velux Installation Failures
Even Velux units, the most widely installed skylight brand in the US, fail when installation doesn’t follow manufacturer specification. The failures we see most often on existing Velux installations:
Flashing Kit Not Used
Velux produces roof-type-specific flashing kits for every unit they make. The FCM flashing kit for a composition shingle roof is different from the one designed for tile or flat roofs. Installers who skip the manufacturer flashing kit and substitute generic materials or sealant create a system that works temporarily and leaks chronically. We use the correct Velux flashing kit for every installation.
Curb Height Errors on FCM Units
Deck-mounted Velux FCM units require a specific curb height above the roof deck. Curbs built too low allow water to back up under the flashing in heavy rain. This is a rough-in error that can’t be corrected without removing and reinstalling the unit.
Improper Tile Roof Integration
Tile roofs require a specific tile replacement flashing approach that’s different from shingle installations. The tiles adjacent to the skylight need to be cut and relaid around the flashing, not simply caulked at the transition. Caulk on a tile roof is not a waterproof detail, it’s a temporary one.
Velux Product Lines We Install
- FCM (Fixed, Curb-Mounted), most common residential installation, works on slopes from 14° to 85°
- VSS (Venting, Solar-Powered), opens via remote or app, no wiring required, solar-charged battery
- VCS (Venting, Manually Operated), hand crank operation, no electrical requirement
- Sun Tunnel (TMR/TGR), rigid and flexible tube options for spaces where a full skylight isn’t feasible
Velux now bundles interior shades with most venting units, there is no opt-out on current production models. We include this in every Velux estimate so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a Velux-certified installer?
Yes. We were trained at Velux’s manufacturing facility in Sparks, Nevada and are certified to install Velux skylights. We are no longer part of Velux’s dealer program, but we continue to install to factory specifications and follow the same installation standards taught during certification.
In practical terms, what matters most is not the program label, it’s whether the skylight is properly sized, properly flashed, and correctly integrated into the roofing system. Those details determine whether a Velux skylight performs the way it was designed to.
Can I replace an older skylight with a Velux unit?
In many cases, yes. Most existing skylight openings can be adapted to accommodate a new Velux skylight without major structural changes. We’ll inspect the existing opening and explain the available options.
Can I add a solar blind to an existing Velux skylight?
Possibly. Compatibility depends on the model and size of the existing skylight. Some newer units can accept blinds directly, while older models may require additional components or replacement to support the current system. We’ll identify the unit and confirm compatibility before recommending any upgrades.
Serving: Los Angeles · Pasadena · Glendale · Sherman Oaks · Santa Monica · Beverly Hills · Malibu · Silver Lake · Culver City
Licensed, insured, and ready to help. Most estimates provided within one business day.
"Called on a Tuesday, they were at the house Thursday morning. The estimate was detailed, broken down line by line, and came in right in the middle of what I'd seen quoted elsewhere. Went with them because they actually explained what they were going to do and why. No surprises on the day."
