A fixed skylight is a sealed, non-opening unit whose only job is to let daylight in. With no sash, hinges or motor, it is the simplest skylight to install and the easiest to live with. Fixed skylights in Wellington suit stairwells, high or raked ceilings, hallways and living spaces where windows and doors already provide ventilation, and where an opening sash would be out of reach anyway.
On exposed Wellington sites, fewer moving parts is a real advantage. There is no sash to be caught by a gust, no seal line that relies on a closing mechanism, and nothing to forget to shut when a southerly comes through. A fixed unit still needs the right glazing and a properly integrated flashing, and our skylight overview explains how fixed units compare with the other types we install.
Fixed skylights provide natural light without moving parts, making them simple, affordable and extremely weathertight options for hallways, stairwells, bathrooms and living areas, with clear communication and fair upfront pricing.
Choose double glazed, tinted or low-e glass to control heat gain and reduce glare. We help you select the right specification for your room's orientation and use, from a local team.
Fixed units sit neatly in the roof with slim frames, adding bright daylight and architectural interest while requiring almost no ongoing maintenance or operating hardware, for Wellington homeowners and businesses.
We recommend fixed units whenever the room does not rely on the skylight for airflow. If a room needs steam or heat removed, an opening unit or an extractor fan is the better answer.
Fixed skylights work particularly well over stairwells and cathedral ceilings where the glazing is several metres up, in living areas that open onto a deck, and in hallways or walk-through spaces. They are also a good fit for holiday homes and rental properties, where simple, robust fittings that need little attention are valued.
Because a fixed skylight is all glass and frame, the glazing you choose shapes how the room feels throughout the year.
A sealed double-glazed unit with a low-emissivity coating keeps the inner pane warmer in winter and reflects some heat in summer, cutting heat loss and reducing condensation on the glass.
Laminated glass holds together if it breaks, so fragments stay in the frame instead of falling into the room. It is the sensible choice for any glazing overhead.
A toughened outer pane is much stronger against impact from hail, wind-blown debris and branches than ordinary glass, which suits gusty hillside sections with trees nearby.
For north- or west-facing roofs, solar-control glazing reduces heat gain and glare while still letting in plenty of light. It helps keep living areas comfortable on long summer afternoons.
On steep Wellington streets, a house up the hill can look down into a skylight. Obscure or frosted glazing, available for many units, keeps bathrooms private while letting diffused daylight through.
For sheds, garages, workshops and some commercial spaces, polycarbonate is lighter and highly impact resistant. We cover it in more detail on our polycarbonate skylights page.
A fixed skylight has very little that can wear out, but it still sits in the roof and takes the weather. Leaves, pine needles and moss can collect against the upslope side and dam water behind the flashing, so keeping that area clear is the most important job. The outside of the glass benefits from an occasional rinse, especially near the coast where salt film builds up and dulls the light.
We check skylight flashings and seals as part of a routine roof inspection, which catches small problems before they turn into leaks. Our roof maintenance plans include this kind of check alongside spouting and roof cleaning.
A fixed unit gives you more glass for the same size of opening, because there is no sash frame, and it has fewer parts to service. An opening unit costs more and needs more care but lets hot air and moisture escape. If you are unsure, think about whether you have ever wished the room had a window you could open up high. If the answer is yes, look at our opening skylights page before deciding.
Fixed skylights are simple, affordable and extremely weathertight because they have no moving parts to wear or leak. Our installers help you choose the right size, glazing and position to bring generous daylight into hallways, stairwells, bathrooms and living areas without overheating them. We discuss double glazing, tinted and low-e glass so the specification matches your room's orientation and use. Openings are framed, flashed and finished with care, and we coordinate with other trades when light shafts or ceiling work are involved. You get a clean, modern look with slim frames, strong energy performance and hardly any maintenance, delivered by a team that cares about neat detail.
These pages cover the other unit types, the installation process and the extras, such as blinds, that pair well with a fixed skylight.
Call our team if you need advice for your property or roofing project.
04 888 0115Generally a fixed unit has fewer components and no electrical work, so it tends to cost less to supply and install than an equivalent opening unit. The final cost depends on size, glazing, roof type and the shaft. We will give you a written quote, and can price both options side by side if you are undecided.
The inside can usually be cleaned with an extendable pole and a soft microfibre head. The outside is often kept reasonably clean by rain, though coastal salt and tree debris build up over time. Avoid getting on the roof yourself. We can clean the glazing and clear the upslope side during a roof inspection or maintenance visit.
Any glazing can get condensation when warm, moist air meets a cold surface. A double-glazed fixed unit with low-E glass and an insulated shaft is far less prone to it than older single-glazed units. In bathrooms and kitchens, good extraction matters as much as the glazing because a fixed unit cannot vent moisture itself.
They have an advantage because there is no opening sash for the wind to catch and no closing seal to rely on. That said, any skylight on an exposed site needs a well-designed flashing and glazing rated for the conditions. The flashing detail matters more than the type of unit.
Yes. Many fixed units accept a fitted blind designed for that frame, and others can take a blind mounted in the shaft. Blinds help control glare and summer heat and can reduce heat loss on winter nights. See our skylight blinds and shades page for the options.
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