Adding a skylight or roof window is one of the best ways to bring natural light into your home, but many homeowners are unsure what the installation process actually involves. A common concern is how disruptive the work will be and how long it will take.
The good news is that skylight installations are a very routine process for experienced installers, with most projects completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to your home.
If you’d like to find out how much your skylight installation may cost, the first step is requesting a quote.
You can easily get started using our online quote form (link). Providing a few photos with your submission can help us understand the space and give an initial idea of the installation.
Before your quote is finalised, we’ll arrange a site visit to confirm measurements, positioning, roof access, and installation details so everything is planned correctly from the start.
Installation timeframes can vary depending on the number of skylights being installed and the complexity of the roof structure.
For a standard skylight installation, two experienced installers can typically complete one unit within a single day. More complex projects, such as multiple skylights, exposed trusses, or custom detailing this may take between two and three days.
Sun tunnels or tube skylights are much quicker to install, with most completed within approximately 2–4 hours.
Before installation day, all planning is completed in advance. This includes positioning, measurements, and determining the best installation method for the roof and interior space.
The first step is preparing and protecting the work area. Drop sheets are laid down and furniture or belongings are moved if required to keep the space clean and protected throughout the process.
The roof opening is then carefully created and framed correctly to support the skylight. Once the opening is prepared, the skylight is fitted securely into the timber framing.
A key part of the process is waterproofing. The skylight is fully sealed and taped before any external flashings are installed. Flashings are then fitted specifically to suit the roofing profile, helping ensure the installation remains completely watertight in New Zealand conditions.
Inside the home, the ceiling opening is cut and a light shaft is framed to connect the skylight through the ceiling space.
The shaft is then insulated and lined, leaving it ready for plastering and painting. This creates a clean, finished appearance that blends naturally with the room.
Sun tunnels, also known as tube skylights, are a quicker and less invasive option for bringing natural light into smaller areas of the home.
The first step is much the same as a standard skylight installation. We prepare and protect the work area with drop sheets, and furniture or belongings are moved if required to keep the space clean and protected throughout the process.
A ceiling opening is then cut for the diffuser, which spreads and softens the incoming light into the room. This part of the process creates very minimal dust. The roof dome and flashing are then installed using a flashing system best suited to your roof profile and application.
Reflective tubing is connected between the roof dome and the ceiling diffuser, allowing natural light to travel through the ceiling cavity into the space below. Once connected, the system is fully sealed and completed.
In most cases, homeowners can comfortably remain in the house during installation of their skylights.
Experienced installers work carefully to keep disruption to a minimum, often focusing on one area at a time rather than affecting the entire home. If work extends over multiple days, the site is cleaned and tidied at the end of each day so kitchens, living rooms, and other spaces can still be used normally.
Sun tunnel installations are much quicker and more compact, meaning disruption to the home is usually very minimal. But for many homeowners, any skylight installation process is far less disruptive than they initially expect.
Professional skylight installation involves much more than simply cutting a hole in the roof. Proper planning, waterproofing, flashing selection, and internal finishing are all essential to ensuring a long-lasting result.
When you choose Suntrenz to install your skylights:
