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We would strongly recommend you resist the urge to install porch skylights yourself. Skylight installation requires cutting holes in the roof, and unless you have a lot of experience with roof work, you may damage the roof and have to pay for expensive repairs down the line. Also, self-installation will likely negate the warranty on the skylight.

Burglars typically look for the easiest way to enter and exit a home. Most of the time, that's right through the front door or windows. Why would an intruder bother going up to the roof of the porch, only to drop down and still need to break down the door? It's twice the work for them.

No skylight that is professionally installed by an experienced contractor should leak. So no, porch skylights are no more susceptible to leaking than any other skylight. Unless, of course, the homeowner attempts to install the porch skylight themselves. In that case, the chances of it leaking greatly increase.

Because they are lower down on the house and because the porch is so visible to the public from the street, you may very well need planning permission. We recommend homeowners contact their local authority before starting the project, just to be sure. 

It may seem a strange idea to install a skylight over the porch, but if the porch is expansive, it may be a challenge to keep the area bright and welcoming. Enter the porch skylight. Porch skylights are often installed on large porches and verandas and can make the whole space seem much more outdoorsy. Especially if you install porch skylights that open.

Some porch skylights are fixed and some will open. Some porch skylights sit flush with the roof, while others are raised a bit. People often choose venting skylights on their porches to promote air movement and add a vertical element to the visual experience of the porch.

The skylight must be in proportion to the porch roof. If it is too small or too big, it will create a visual disconnect. As a general rule, it's advised to use 5-15% of the roof space for porch skylights. If you need help deciding what size porch skylights to choose, contact Rooflights & Roof Lanterns. We'll be happy to advise you.

Glazing options for porch skylights include tempered glass, laminated glass and acrylic. Quality skylights will feature double or triple-glazing to prevent heat transfer outward in the winter and inward in the summer. In addition, you have the option of installing various types of filters to block UV rays, ensure privacy and more.

Homeowners often choose fixed skylights simply because fewer moving parts (no opening mechanism) means fewer things that can go wrong. Fixed skylights are also a good choice for those on a fixed budget, and they typically require less maintenance than venting skylights.

You can, of course, but unless you have a lot of experience working with roofs, you shouldn't. Experience shows us again and again that DIY installations commonly result in leaks, or structural damage to the roof that can lead to very expensive repairs. Do yourself a favour and leave installation to the professionals.

If porch skylights are professionally installed and well-maintained there is no reason they should not last at least 20 or 30 years. In some cases, longer.