Skylights are an excellent way to bring more natural light into your home.
Just one skylight can dramatically transform your room by adding 30% more natural light than a window.
This helps you save energy and makes your home warmer during the winter.
Skylights may seem inexpensive at first glance since a quality 2x4 foot skylight along with a flashing kit costs anywhere from $100 to $400.
However, you need to consider adding another $3000 for installation costs.
That being said you first need to carefully evaluate if installing a skylight is the right thing for your home.
Till recently having a roof slope determined if you could install a skylight.
Flat roofs or those which were too steep required special tools and techniques.
However, many of the skylight kits available today include a comprehensive installation kit and procedures which permits it to be installed on all types of roofs.
Since, most skylights are meant to be installed on a roof with asphalt shingles you may need to pay extra for flashing if you have tile or metal roofing.
Answer these questions to determine if your home needs a skylight:

• Does your roof have trusses? Truss framing is usually around 24 inches on the center and accommodates a 2 foot skylight.
  But you will have to directly cut through the truss to install something wider.
  This will require hiring a structural engineer which can end up costing an additional $300.
  
• Is your attic space clear? Check your attic for wiring, plumbing and HVAC.
  
• Is a chase required? A chase is just a framed tunnel which will channel the sunlight via the skylight, through your attic and into your room.
  It can be finished with a drywall and then painted.
  A professional installation requiring this will cost around $1000.
  You will not need a chase if you have a cathedral ceiling.
  
• Is a skylight suitable for the architecture of your home? A skylight is just a neutral element and will blend in with most style homes but it could affect the overall curb appeal of an old home.
  
• Can the same job be done with a solar light tube? This costs around 20% less than what a skylight will end up costing you and can illuminate an area measuring around 600 sq.
  ft.
  

Features of the best skylights Even cheap skylights come complete with UV protection and insulated glass.
A fixed skylight will cost around $150 to $400.
Many manufacturers offer a number of options which help to control the amount of light entering your home and improve ventilation.

• A manual venting skylight which needs to be opened manually via a hand crank can cost up to $500
• An electronic skylight which you can open and close via remote costs around $1000.
  This also includes a rain sensor which will automatically close the skylight when it rains.
  
• Some skylights have mini blinds which will fine tune the light you receive.
  This is operated via a stick crank or your remote control.
  These blinds cost around $400.