While acrylic dome skylights were a big hit twenty years ago, flat glass skylights have become increasingly popular and have many benefits. Let’s review a few of the benefits.
We use VELUX skylights at Guild Collective and will be highlighting the line’s particular features in this article.
1. A slimmer side profile. The design of a flat skylight allows it to easily align with your roof, providing a seamless flow and a more modern look to a home or business.
2. Glass has a near perfect transparency rating and won’t fade or yellow. Acrylic, on the other hand, can add a wavy distortion to the view and is often tinted bronze.
3. Glass is more energy efficient than acrylic. Unlike acrylic, energy efficient glass units can be completely sealed and are therefore more effective at keeping the heat in during the winter, and keeping the heat out during the summer. When the temperature is hot outside, a flat glass skylight with LowE3 protection can reduce heat gain in your home by 65%. On the contrary, when you’re trying to warm your home in cooler months, the argon gas between the double-paned glass keeps your home well insulated and helps retain heat.
4. Because glass skylights are better insulated, they reduce unwanted noise outside by up to 50% less than an acrylic skylight.
5. A flat glass skylight has a longer life expectancy and requires less maintenance. An acrylic dome skylight weakens over time due to years of heat exposure and is more prone to clouding and cracking. Additionally, it does not have a hail or leak warranty. Rather, it would be up to the installer for an installation warranty. In comparison, a VELUX flat glass skylight has a 10-year hail and 10-year no leak warranty. VELUX skylights also come with a Neat® glass coating, which disperses water evenly, removing dirt more quickly and reducing water spots to keep your skylight cleaner longer and ensure greater usability.
6. There are many accessories available with a flat glass skylight. For example, there are three types of blinds: light-filtering shades, blackout and room-darkening shades, and Venetian shades. Light-filtering shades and room-darkening shades are available in both solar-powered and manual styles. With over 100 colors and pattern choices available, you can design your unique space. VELUX skylights are fitted with preinstalled brackets for easy installation and a perfect fit.Install a climate control and monitoring system that pairs with your smartphone to create a healthier indoor environment. Whether you’re home or away, smart sensors continuously monitor the temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in your home, and can open or close your skylights and blinds.
A plus, these accessories will qualify the installation for a 26% tax credit, which is a unique benefit.
Cost
A flat glass skylight is about $100-$150 more than an acrylic dome skylight, depending on the size. Of note, accessories are additional.
Cost & Benefits Comparison
| Feature | Flat Glass Skylight (VELUX) | Acrylic Dome Skylight |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost Difference | About $100–$150 more than acrylic (size dependent) | Base option (lower upfront cost) |
| Appearance / Profile | Slim, low-profile design that aligns seamlessly with roof | Dome shape, more visible |
| Transparency & Clarity | Near-perfect transparency; no fading or yellowing | Can yellow over time; may create wavy distortion; often bronze-tinted |
| Energy Efficiency | Superior insulation; sealed double-pane with argon gas | Less energy efficient |
| Heat Reduction (Summer) | With LowE3 coating, reduces heat gain by up to 65% | Does not offer comparable heat-blocking performance |
| Heat Retention (Winter) | Argon-filled double pane retains indoor heat | Less effective insulation |
| Noise Reduction | Up to 50% less outside noise vs acrylic | Less sound insulation |
| Lifespan | Longer life expectancy | Weakens over time from heat exposure |
| Maintenance | Neat® glass coating reduces dirt & water spots | Prone to clouding and cracking |
| Warranty | 10-year hail warranty, 10-year no leak warranty | No hail or leak warranty (installation warranty only) |
| Accessory Options | Blinds (100+ colors), solar or manual, climate control integration | Limited accessory integration |
| Tax Credit Eligibility | Qualifies for 26% tax credit with eligible accessories | No tax credit mentioned |
Which flat glass skylight model is best for you?
VELUX offers a complete system of complementary products and accessories for any skylight solution, from installation right down to the finishing touches. Whether you’re looking to add one of our “Fresh Air” skylights or a model geared more toward small spaces, we’ve got all the skylight options and information you need to make a decision.
Let’s take a look at four different models.
1. Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights
“Fresh Air” skylights open to bring air and natural light into your home. A small exterior solar panel captures all available daylight to power seamless skylight operation. A preprogrammed remote control allows you to open or close your skylights at your convenience or at scheduled times of the day. An integrated rain sensor on this model automatically closes the skylight at the first sign of rain. With our No Leak Promise, we keep water and worries out and sunshine flowing in. VELUX skylights are fitted with preinstalled brackets to ease with the installation of blinds and ensure you achieve a perfect fit.
2. Electric “Fresh Air” Skylights
The VELUX No Leak Electric “Fresh Air” Skylight lets abundant natural light flow while blocking heat. Venting reduces the need for air conditioning and improves indoor air quality, removing moisture, odors and pollutants. A preprogrammed remote control allows you to open or close your skylights at your convenience or at scheduled times of the day. An integrated rain sensor on this model automatically closes the skylight at the first sign of rain. This skylight is fitted with preinstalled brackets to ease with the installation of blinds and ensure you achieve a perfect fit.
3. Manual “Fresh Air” Skylights
The VELUX No Leak “Fresh Air” manual-venting skylight brings light in and keeps heat out, improving air quality and removing moisture, odors and pollutants. An operator hook makes it easy to open and close. Exceptionally smooth Neat® glass evenly disperses water for quick evaporation and reduced water spotting. You will enjoy 25% less outside noise than standard double-pane glass, and up to 50% less than a plastic skylight. No Leak Skylights carry a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on product, and five years on blinds and controls. This model is fitted with preinstalled brackets to ease with the installation of blinds and ensure you achieve a perfect fit.
4. Fixed Skylights
The VELUX No Leak Fixed Skylight is an economical choice for visually expanding areas such as hallways, stairwells and other closed-in, dark spaces to create a spacious and light-filled home. Exceptionally smooth Neat® glass evenly disperses water for quick evaporation and reduced water spotting. You will enjoy 25% less outside noise than standard double-pane glass, and up to 50% less than a plastic skylight. No Leak Skylights carry a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on product, and five years on blinds and controls. This model is fitted with preinstalled brackets to ease with the installation of blinds and ensure you achieve a perfect fit.
Do Roofers install Skylights
VELUX Flat Glass Skylight Models Comparison
| Model | Venting | Power Source | Key Features | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar “Fresh Air” Skylight | Yes | Solar powered | Remote control, rain sensor, No Leak Promise | 10-year installation + product warranties |
| Electric “Fresh Air” Skylight | Yes | Electric | Remote control, rain sensor, improved air quality | 10-year installation + product warranties |
| Manual “Fresh Air” Skylight | Yes | Manual | Operator hook, Neat® glass, strong sound reduction | 10-year install, 20-year glass, 10-year product |
| Fixed Skylight | No | N/A | Economical option, strong noise reduction, Neat® glass | 10-year install, 20-year glass, 10-year product |
Which skylight installation is right for you?
Your skylight installer is the best person to decide which style works for your home. Let’s review two options.
1. Curb Mounted Skylight
The skylight is mounted on a wooden frame, known as a curb, that the installer builds around the opening on your roof. Curb mounted skylights are ideal for flat roofs up to a pitch of 60 degrees.
2. Deck Mounted Skylight
The skylight’s deck seal is nailed directly to your roof deck for a low profile, energy-efficient installation. Deck mounted skylights are best for roofs with a pitch between 14 and 85 degrees.
When it comes to making the most impact in your space, our skylight specialists are happy to lend their expertise and assist you in selecting which models and features suit your needs best.
We’re here to help make your life lighter and brighter with new VELUX skylights. With a smooth and hassle-free installation process, you can start enjoying your new slice of the sky.
If you have any questions about cooling off a space, protecting your home, and controlling your utility bills, please set up your free in-home consultation today.
Skylight Installation Options
| Installation Type | Best For | Roof Pitch Range | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curb Mounted | Flat roofs | Up to 60° pitch | Mounted on built curb frame |
| Deck Mounted | Sloped roofs | 14°–85° pitch | Low-profile, nailed directly to roof deck |
Frequently Asked Questions
Flat, double‑paned argon‑filled glass skylights provide superior clarity and insulation, unlike acrylic domes that yellow, distort, and lose transparency over time.
Velux flat glass skylights outperform acrylic in insulation, energy efficiency, and noise reduction—and include a 10-year hail warranty for lasting durability.
Flat glass skylights last longer with less maintenance, backed by 10-year hail and no-leak warranties, while acrylic domes weaken, cloud, and crack from heat exposure.
Yes, double-paned glass with argon gas seals better than acrylic, retaining winter heat and blocking summer heat while cutting outside noise by up to 50%.
Tempered glass in flat skylights like VELUX provides safety and durability, and Neat® coating makes cleaning easier and reduces water spots compared to acrylic.
No, sealed energy-efficient glass units prevent fogging, unlike acrylic domes, which are prone to clouding; VELUX models include 20-year glass warranties
Quality flat glass skylights like VELUX have a 10-year no-leak warranty and rain sensors in venting models, far superior to acrylic without such guarantees.
A flat glass skylight typically costs $500–$700 more than an acrylic dome but delivers better efficiency, warranties.
Yes, curb-mounted glass skylights fit flat to very steep (up to 60°) roofs, giving a sleek, modern, and seamless appearance.
It includes a 5-year Guild workmanship, 10-year no-leak/product, and 20-year glass warranty—far exceeding standard acrylic skylights.
