Skylights · Materials

Skylight materials

A skylight has three material decisions: the glazing (glass or plastic), the frame and curb (wood-clad, vinyl or metal), and the flashing that ties it into the roof. Glass units cost more and stay clearer longer; acrylic and polycarbonate domes are cheaper and are common on tubular units, where Fixr puts a 10-inch reflective tube's material cost at about $213–$388. The flashing is the part that decides whether the whole thing leaks, and it should be the kit made for that unit and that roof covering.

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Glazing first. Glass skylights are typically insulated units, often with a laminated inner pane, and they resist scratching, hazing and yellowing far better than plastic. Acrylic and polycarbonate are lighter and cheaper, which is why they dominate domes and tubular units, but exposed plastic in strong sun eventually clouds. If the skylight is directly overhead in a living space, safety glazing matters — ask what the inner pane is.

Frames come as wood with an exterior cladding, vinyl, or metal. Wood-clad reads warmer inside and is common in living spaces; vinyl and metal-framed units are more often used where moisture is heavy. In a bathroom or kitchen skylight, moisture resistance should outrank looks.

Curb-mounted versus deck-mounted is a materials decision too. A curb-mounted unit sits on a built-up frame on the roof; a deck-mounted unit attaches closer to the roof deck for a lower profile. Neither is universally better — but the flashing kit has to match the mounting type and the roof covering, and mixing them is a classic source of leaks.

Ignore any pitch that spends all its time on the glass and none on the flashing. Fixr's own material figures show the price spread between skylight types — roughly $229–$417 tubular, $295–$537 fixed, $574–$1,044 ventilating — but none of that matters if the metal around the unit was improvised.

How to choose

Choose glass for living spaces: Clearer for longer, quieter in rain, and better performing. Save plastic domes for utility spaces and tubes.
Ask what the inner pane is: Laminated inner glazing is the norm for units over occupied space. Get the answer in writing on the quote.
Match the flashing kit to the roof: Asphalt shingle, tile and metal roofs each need different flashing. A generic kit or site-made flashing is a red flag.
Get the NFRC numbers: U-factor and SHGC on the label are how you compare two units honestly. A brand name is not a specification.
Don't reuse old flashing: If a contractor plans to set a new unit into the existing flashing to save money, that is not a saving. It is next year's leak.

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All skylights materials

Fixed Skylights

Venting Skylights

Tubular Skylights

Curb Mount

Deck Mount

FAQ

Skylights materials — common questions

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Is a glass or acrylic skylight better?

Glass, for anything over living space — it stays clear, resists scratching and yellowing, and performs better. Acrylic and polycarbonate are cheaper and normal on domes and tubular units.

What is curb-mounted vs deck-mounted?

Curb-mounted sits on a raised frame built on the roof; deck-mounted sits lower, closer to the roof deck. The important part is that the flashing kit matches the mounting type and your roof covering.

How much does the tube part of a tubular skylight cost?

Fixr puts material for a 10-inch reflective tube at roughly $213–$388, with complete tubular units at about $229–$417 for materials.

Does the frame material matter?

Mostly for moisture and appearance. In wet rooms, prioritize moisture resistance over the look of wood.

Sources

Where these figures come from

Fixr — Skylight Installation Cost · retrieved 2026-07-26