Skylights glossary
Plain-English definitions of 0 skylights terms you will see on quotes and inspection reports.
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Find the word. Read the definition. Check the bid.
Curb - a raised wooden frame built on the roof that a curb-mounted skylight sits on. Deck-mounted - a unit fixed closer to the roof deck for a lower profile. Flashing kit - the manufacturer's set of metal parts designed for a specific unit and roof covering. Step flashing - individual pieces of metal woven in with each course of shingles along the sides of the unit.
Light shaft - the finished tunnel between the roof opening and a flat ceiling below. Splayed shaft - a shaft that widens toward the room, spreading light more broadly. Header - the framing member installed across a cut rafter to carry the load around the opening.
U-factor - how much heat the assembly loses; lower is better. SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) - how much solar heat gets through; lower means less summer heat. NFRC - the National Fenestration Rating Council, whose certified ratings are the basis of ENERGY STAR skylight criteria, which vary by climate zone.
Tubular skylight / sun tunnel - a reflective tube that carries daylight from a small roof dome into a room below. Venting or operable skylight - one that opens, manually or by motor. Fixed skylight - one that does not open.
Three rules for every term
- Learn three terms before you meet a salesperson Flashing kit, light shaft, and SHGC. Those three cover leaks, hidden cost and summer comfort.
- Ask for the NFRC label numbers U-factor and SHGC in writing on the quote makes two bids genuinely comparable.
- Clarify mounting type early Curb-mounted and deck-mounted need different flashing kits. Mixing them causes leaks.
A-Z skylights dictionary
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Glossary terms for this industry are being written.
Where related figures come from
Sources last checked
- ENERGY STAR - Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights Key Product Criteria · retrieved 2026-07-26
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