Are Skylights Worth It? Benefits, Costs, and Leak Truth

By the LPS Exteriors team · Leesburg, VA · Updated 2026

Short answer: a professionally installed modern skylight is one of the highest-satisfaction upgrades a homeowner can make. The leak horror stories come from old units and bad installs, not from today's flashed, warrantied systems.

What skylights actually do for a home

• Up to 30% more natural light than vertical windows of the same size, because light arrives from above all day.
• Real health effects: more daylight improves mood and vitamin D and helps regulate sleep cycles.
• Passive ventilation: fresh-air models (manual or electric) let hot, stale air escape, noticeable in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Visual expansion: rooms feel larger, brighter, and more welcoming, especially smaller spaces.
• Energy efficiency: modern low-E glazing minimizes heat gain and loss, cutting lighting, heating, and cooling costs.

"But don't skylights leak?"

A properly installed VELUX skylight with the manufacturer's engineered flashing kit is as watertight as the roof around it. VELUX backs installations with a 10-year no-leak warranty when installed correctly. The leaks people remember come from 1980s plastic bubbles and installers who improvised flashing. Skylight installation is a specialty at LPS, not a side job.

The smart time to add one

During a roof replacement. The roof is already open, flashing integrates perfectly, and per-unit cost drops. We've quoted, sourced, and installed skylights on days' notice for exactly this reason.

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