The 30-second version
- VS (Manual): opens with a handle within reach or a control rod for out-of-reach. Cheapest venting option. No wiring needed. Roof pitch 14°–85°.
- VSE (Electric): concealed motor, opens/closes with a remote. Requires electrical wiring to the skylight (must be pulled during install). Built-in rain sensor auto-closes.
- VSS (Solar-Powered): integrated solar panel + rechargeable battery + concealed motor. Opens/closes with remote. Built-in rain sensor. No wiring required — most popular Velux venting choice.
- All three include a factory-installed insect screen and are compatible with the Velux Skylight System bundle (skylight + solar-powered shade + pre-paired remote).
Why venting matters in Los Angeles homes
Los Angeles summers concentrate a huge amount of heat under the roof plane. A venting skylight passively vents that hot air out through the "chimney effect" — hot air rises, cool air draws in from lower openings, and interior temperatures drop 5°–15°F on days when the AC would otherwise be working overtime. In bathrooms and kitchens, venting skylights also flush moisture and cooking vapors that fixed skylights just contain.
The critical spec question: manual, electric, or solar-powered opening mechanism? All three do the same thing (the venting sash swings open around 8°–10°). The choice is about install context and long-term ease of use.
VS — Manual Fresh-Air Skylight
The VS opens by hand. If the skylight is within reach (below about 8' ceiling height), you turn a smooth-operating handle. For higher ceilings, an optional control rod extends up to about 15' and hooks into a receiver on the skylight sash.
Best for:
- Lower-budget projects — VS costs meaningfully less than powered variants
- Rooms where the skylight is within arm's reach — hallways with 8' ceilings, low attic spaces
- Homes where running new electrical wiring to the skylight is impractical or expensive
- Rustic / traditional interiors where a mechanical handle fits the aesthetic
Trade-offs: no rain sensor (you're responsible for closing it before rain), no remote, and reaching the control rod on high ceilings gets tedious for daily use.
VSE — Electric Fresh-Air Skylight
The VSE has a concealed motor built into the skylight sash and a control system that operates via a factory-paired remote. Press a button, the sash opens smoothly. The integrated rain sensor closes it automatically when the first drops hit — critical for LA's surprise winter rain events.
Best for:
- High or hard-to-reach ceilings (cathedral, vaulted, 12'+ heights)
- Homes that already have attic-run electrical wiring near the skylight cutout (retrofits are much cheaper here)
- New construction where the electrician can pull the wiring cleanly during rough-in
- Multiple-skylight arrays that will all be controlled together
Trade-offs: requires 110V wiring to the skylight location — if the wiring doesn't exist already, add $400–$1,200 for an electrician to pull it. This is often the deciding factor that pushes homeowners toward the solar-powered VSS instead.
VSS — Solar-Powered Fresh-Air Skylight (most popular)
The VSS is the answer to "I want a remote-controlled skylight but I don't want to run wiring." A discrete solar panel on the skylight exterior charges an internal rechargeable battery, which powers the motor for years of operation. No 110V wiring, no electrician trip, no drywall patching for wire runs.
Every other feature matches the VSE: concealed motor, pre-paired remote, built-in rain sensor that auto-closes on precipitation, insect screen, compatibility with the Velux App Control and Velux ACTIVE smart-home systems.
Best for:
- The vast majority of retrofits where electrical isn't already there
- Second-story or attic installs where running wire would mean opening walls
- LEED / sustainability-focused projects (solar operation = zero home electricity for the skylight)
- Federal Solar Tax Credit eligibility — the skylight-and-shade system qualifies for the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit in the tax year of installation
Trade-offs: costs $200–$500 more than a comparable VSE at the material level. Almost always cheaper overall once wiring cost is factored in.
Standard sizes (all three models)
All Velux fresh-air deck-mounted skylights use the same size chart. The alphanumeric size code indicates rough opening dimensions:
- C-series (21" wide): C01, C04, C06, C08, C12 — narrow, good for hallways and small rooms
- D-series (22.5" wide): D26, D06 — designed to fit perfectly between 24" o.c. roof trusses
- M-series (30" wide): M02, M04, M06, M08 — most popular size range for bedrooms and kitchens
- S-series (44" wide): S01, S06 — largest venting options, great for great-rooms and vaulted spaces
- A-series (14.5" wide): A06 — narrowest, primarily for tight spaces
Note: VSS solar size M02 is only stocked in the VSS variant (per the 2026 catalog); this narrow size doesn't come in electric or manual.
Glass upgrades available
Base skylights ship with double-pane, argon-filled laminated safety glass with LowE³ coating — the standard for LA. Optional upgrades:
- Impact Glass: hurricane-rated laminated glass for coastal exposure or Wildland-Urban Interface. Stocked in specific FS sizes; VSS/VSE/VS available as special order.
- Snowload Glass: reinforced glazing for higher structural load (rarely needed in LA outside of mountain-elevation projects like Big Bear).
- Copper Cladding: exterior frame clad in real copper — dramatic patina over time on estate and historic homes.
- Stain-Grade Wood Interior: unfinished wood interior for stain-matching to existing millwork.
LA-installed cost ranges (2026)
- VS Manual (M06, 30"×46"): $2,400–$4,200 installed (skylight + Velux flashing + shaft if needed)
- VSE Electric (M06): $3,000–$5,200 installed (add $400–$1,200 if electrical wiring must be pulled)
- VSS Solar (M06): $3,200–$5,800 installed — usually the best overall value
- Complete Velux Skylight System bundle: add $600–$1,200 for the factory-paired solar-powered room-darkening shade + Velux Touch remote
All three qualify for Velux's 10-year installation warranty when installed with a matching Velux flashing kit.
Smart home integration
All VSE and VSS models integrate with the Velux App Control system (Gateway + smartphone app) for remote operation from anywhere, scheduled opening/closing, and Apple HomeKit / Google Assistant voice control. The Velux ACTIVE upgrade adds indoor climate sensors that automatically vent the skylight based on temperature, humidity, and CO₂ readings — genuinely useful for LA bedrooms that get stuffy on 90°+ evenings.
Get a free Velux quote for your LA home
Halo Build Co is a Velux-authorized dealer serving the Greater Los Angeles area. Every quote includes site inspection, skylight sizing recommendations, cutout and flashing details, and total installed cost — no hidden fees. Text, call, or fill out the form.