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Opening vs Non-Opening Skylights: Differences, Pros & Cons

Adding a skylight to your home can help to transform a room by bringing in more natural light.  

You should consider both practicality and aesthetics when choosing a skylight. Would you like an opening or non-opening (fixed) skylight? 

In this guide, we explain the key differences between opening skylights vs fixed skylights, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, to help you decide.

What is an opening skylight?

Opening skylights are rooflights that help to provide ventilation as well as natural light. They are available in manual or electrical opening designs.  
Our electric and manual opening rooflights are available in a range of sizes and glazing finishes. You can also opt for a manual opening skylight operated with a pole, or a range of electric opening skylights. Easily compare electric vs manual opening skylights using our guide so you can make the right choice.

What is a fixed (non-opening) skylight?

Non-opening skylights are fixed in place, and while they do let in natural light, they don’t give you the option of ventilation. 
Fixed skylights are available in a range of sizes and styles to suit every taste.

What are the differences between a fixed and opening rooflight?

The key difference between a fixed and opening rooflight, as the names suggest, is that opening rooflights offer added ventilation by opening. This can be ideal for rooms such as attics that don’t have other windows for air and that may be susceptible to damp.
View our rooflight loft conversion guide – ideal for improving loft ventilation.

Opening skylight pros

There are numerous benefits to opening skylights. Some advantages include:

Better ventilation

As you can open the window, you can have ventilation in your room. This is particularly beneficial for rooms with no other windows, and rooms that may be susceptible to damp and mould, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

You can improve air quality and circulation with an opening skylight. This can also prevent mould growth. 

Let more natural light in

The fact that you can open the window means that you can control how much natural light comes into the room.

Rooflights and skylights benefit rooms such as attics, where no other natural light would be let in.

Improve home energy efficiency

Opening rooflights enable air to flow through your home, improving energy efficiency and reducing the risk of dampness. 

In the summer months, you can let natural air into your home, meaning less need for air conditioning and electric fans. This will reduce your energy consumption.

It’s also important to ventilate your home when drying clothes in the winter months so that the dampness from the clothing doesn’t settle on your walls and cause mould.
Learn 15 ways to keep a room cool in summer.

Manual or electric options to suit all

Choose from manual or electric opening skylights. You may prefer to manually open your window with a pole, or you can choose electrical opening with a mains switch or remote control.

Opening skylight cons

Cons of opening skylights include:

Require more maintenance than fixed

Because they have the opening mechanism – whether manual or electric – opening skylights do require more maintenance than fixed skylights.

More moving parts means it has to work harder, so you may need replacement parts if these wear down over time.

All of our rooflights come with a warranty for peace of mind. See our individual products for further details. 

More prone to leaks or draughts

Over time, opening rooflights are more prone to leaks and draughts of air because of their opening functionality. Seals can become worn over time. 

Our opening rooflights do come with a warranty so you can rest assured they are well-fitted and energy efficient. 
Learn how to fix a leaking skylight in our helpful guide.

Can be hard to clean

With skylights being on the roof, they can be hard to reach which means cleaning them can prove tricky. 

However, some of our opening and fixed skylights (such as the Electric & Manual Opening Rooflights) offer self-cleaning options.
Learn how to clean your skylight windows in our guide.

Fixed skylight pros

There are various benefits to fixed skylights. Some of these include:

Affordable option

Fixed skylights are the more affordable option, as they don’t have the opening mechanism. 

This also means there are less moving parts to maintain, so are more cost-effective over time. Fixed skylights can be a good option if you’re concerned about maintenance costs.

Energy efficient

Fixed rooflights are also more energy efficient, as they provide a tighter seal against the elements. Because they are non-opening, this reduces the risk of air escaping (when heating your home), or cold air getting into your home.

Not prone to leaks or draughts

You don’t have to worry about non-opening skylights having leaks or causing draughts to enter your home. 

Again, this lessens the likelihood of ongoing maintenance costs.

Sleek design options

Choose from a range of sleek fixed design options to suit your taste. Many of our rooflights have self-cleaning options and a range of glazing and finishes.

Fixed skylight cons

Lack of ventilation

Whereas the opening skylight offers more ventilation, the fixed skylight doesn’t provide this option.

For rooms such as attics where there is no other ventilation, you may want to consider an opening design.

No access to roof

Should you require access to the roof, this would not be an option from a fixed rooflight. 

You should always have opening windows on both floors of your house that you are able to climb through for a fire escape.

Carefully consider what you want out of a skylight before deciding. 
View our range of smoke vents and access hatch rooflights.

Which is cheaper: a fixed or opening rooflight?

Due to the simpler design and the fact they have less parts, fixed rooflights are generally the cheaper option.

Fixed rooflights can be a good option if you are on a budget.

However, carefully consider the pros and cons above to ensure the skylight is meeting your requirements.

Browse our range of fixed rooflights and opening rooflights to find the option to suit you. 

You can also view our wider range of rooflights and skylights, which includes:

Want a free quote? Contact us today.

More related articles

Opening vs Non-Opening Skylights FAQs

Do opening skylights leak?

Opening skylights are more prone to leaks and draughts than fixed skylights. Over time, the opening skylight parts such as the seals are prone to deterioration.

With proper maintenance, opening skylights should be leak proof and not let draughts of air in.

Should I get a fixed or opening skylight?

Choosing a fixed or opening skylight depends on your requirements. While opening skylights give the option of ventilation to cool the house and improve air circulation, fixed skylights are the more affordable option and are not prone to leaks or draughts.

Read our pros and cons of opening vs fixed skylights above.

Do opening skylights cool the house?

Opening skylights offer further ventilation, cooling the house and reducing the need for air conditioning and fans during summer months.

Do skylights make a room hotter?

While opening skylights offer the option of getting air into the room to cool it, fixed skylights do not.

Sunlight can also stream through the larger skylights and warm up a room. You can get fitted blinds for skylights to control the heat that comes through the window.

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