VELUX Introduces Innovative Skylight System with Pre-Installed, Remote-Controlled, Solar-Powered Shade

New homeowner research drives product update as solar shade becomes standard in most VELUX glass skylight orders

FORT MILL, S.C., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VELUX, the global leader in skylights and daylight solutions, is introducing the all-new VELUX Skylight System, a first-of-its-kind product designed for total light control, enhanced energy efficiency and homeowner convenience. Featuring a pre-installed, remote-controlled, solar-powered shade, the Skylight System responds to growing demand for smarter, more sustainable daylight solutions, creating a new business opportunity for builders, contractors, roofers and installers looking to offer cutting-edge home upgrades.

"Our Skylight System makes skylights more relevant and engaging for homeowners—it's that simple," said Stephan Moyon, president of VELUX America/VELUX Canada. "Adding a shade to a skylight is often overlooked before installation and adding it later can be difficult. Still, this feature is one of the most common feedback points we get from homeowners - they wish they had added a shade. By preinstalling a solar-powered shade, we're giving homeowners complete light control from day one, enhancing engagement and enjoyment of skylights, and long-term growth for the entire category."

The VELUX Skylight System was developed after four years of extensive customer feedback and a third-party research collaboration with Kantar. Post-purchase surveys revealed a strong demand for shades, yet many buyers were unaware that VELUX offered them, highlighting a knowledge gap that fueled the system's development. The data also showed that 78% of customers prioritized light control when choosing skylights, and 91% were willing to pay more in exchange for the improved user experience of skylight shades.

Consumer focus groups further revealed that combining skylights and shades into a single system increased perceived value by 40%. Recognizing this opportunity, VELUX developed the Skylight System to incorporate room-darkening shades, enhancing both functionality and comfort while offering homeowners effortless control over natural light.

Each system's white shade blends seamlessly into any interior. Alternative shade colors are available by custom order. The solar-powered remote operation charges on ambient light for sustainability and convenience and includes easy optional smart home integration. Built-in rain sensors on venting skylights ensure they close automatically, giving homeowners peace of mind, even when away. Despite the enhanced benefits and greater value, the installation process remains unchanged and just as effortless for installers as before.

The shade also enhances the energy efficiency of the Skylight System by reducing heat loss in winter and blocking heat gain in summer, providing year-round comfort and savings. Using shades with a skylight typically improves the U-value by 45% and the solar heat gain coefficient by 19%.

"As the climate warms and more people move to warmer parts of the country, it only makes sense for VELUX to continue to stay on the forefront and increase the function, engagement and thermal performance of our windows," Moyon said.

While the VELUX Skylight System will be approximately 12% more expensive than a skylight alone, the company is increasing its skylight volume 10-fold to offset some added costs. When factored into an average $27,000 reroofing project, the cost difference is less than 1%. The total cost of the Skylight System will be 20-40% less than what a homeowner previously paid for a skylight and shade priced separately. 

"Overall, this will be an easier sell to customers with a more appealing product and potentially higher margins for installers," Moyon said. "One of our primary goals in developing the Skylight System was to create a nearly neutral product experience for our professional partners, removing complications, extra steps, and any concerns about functionality."

Every VELUX Skylight System is tested on the manufacturing floor before shipping, a result of the company's multimillion-dollar investment in manufacturing improvements and enhanced quality control procedures. After confirming that each product operates correctly before shipping, the Skylight System is slipped into redesigned packaging with special clips and spacers designed to secure the unit during transport.

The VELUX 10-year warranty on skylight products and the five-year warranty on the shade will remain unchanged. Every Skylight System remote includes a QR code on the back, providing access to how-to videos and troubleshooting steps for product issues. Additionally, VELUX has invested in more customer service teams to assist during the transition to the Skylight System product line, recognizing that the volume of products could generate increased consumer inquiries.

"Part of our investment in this process has involved considering all the questions that installers and consumers could have about the Skylight System," Moyon said. "We've developed an after-sales service infrastructure to ensure everyone has a good experience with this new product."

Initial research on a customer group already using the VELUX Skylight System found that 95% of respondents operate the shade at least weekly, with half doing so at least once daily. This frequency of use supports the company's theory of unmet demand.

"What excites me most about the VELUX Skylight System is that this innovation doubles or even triples the product's value by adding functionality," Moyon said. "The ultimate goal in business is to create value that significantly surpasses any price increase. We've achieved that with the VELUX Skylight System, and we believe our customers and consumers will agree."

The VELUX Skylight System is available for all skylight orders after April 7 without any change in typical product lead times. For more information, visit veluxusa.com.  

VELUX manufactures skylight systems and is one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. VELUX products are available nationwide through home centers, building material suppliers, lumber yards and independent door, window or roofing retailers. Consumers can locate local suppliers and installers and access information on skylight selection and the benefits of bringing more natural light and fresh air into the home by visiting whyskylights.com. VELUX skylights are made in America in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Wells, Maine.

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SOURCE VELUX