Why Add LED Lighting to Skylights?

Skylights are a popular feature in modern architecture, flooding rooms with natural daylight. But once the sun sets, skylights can fade into the background, dark and underused. This is where LED lighting for skylights comes in.

Over the years, we’ve tested many lighting styles, but nothing compares to the sleek finish of plaster-in LED profiles, which hit the market around five years ago. Whether you’re designing a new build or retrofitting an existing skylight, there are multiple ways to enhance your roof lantern with ambient LED lighting.

3 Stunning Ways to Install LED Lighting in Skylights

Option 1: Upstand Skylight Lighting (Most Seamless)

The most popular method for LED roof lantern lighting is using plaster-in LED profiles like the ARC-PB or ARC-PBW. These are embedded into the plasterboard around your skylight, creating a clean, invisible lighting channel.

Installation Tips:

• Once your skylight is installed and boarded, cut a channel for your profile.

• Use foam inserts to keep channels clean during plastering.

• Ensure an electrician feeds power cables into one corner (or more for larger skylights).

• Avoid exceeding 10m runs on a single LED strip to prevent voltage drop.

Important: Only install spotless LED strips after all decorating is complete. Paint or plaster on the chips can alter colour and brightness.

Option 2: Uplighting Your Skylight (For Dramatic Ambience)

Uplighting is a beautiful way to add indirect, ambient light to your skylight. This method uses surface-mounted LED profiles installed on a small pelmet or plinth at the base of the upstand.

Benefits of Uplighting:

• Creates a subtle, architectural glow.

• Hidden lighting source enhances aesthetics.

• Ideal for minimalist, shadow-gap designs.

Installation Considerations:

• Pre-plan wiring—LED strips don’t turn sharp 90-degree corners.

• Use flexible linking cables or request bespoke soldering from Arc LED.

• Keep LED strip lengths under 10 metres to maintain consistent brightness.

We can also supply 4 individual LED strips wired back to a single driver in parallel—so they function as one uniform light source.

Option 3: Framing Your Skylight (Functional and Decorative)

For rooms lacking other light sources, framing your skylight with high-lumen LED strips can serve as the primary lighting in the space. This method highlights the skylight while providing sufficient brightness for everyday use.

Key Tips:

• Use wide-beam, high-output LED strips.

• Pre-wire a cable to each corner for a parallel connection.

• All LED strips will operate together via one driver.

This approach is ideal for open-plan kitchens, bathrooms, or living rooms where overhead lighting needs to be both functional and beautiful.

FAQs About LED Skylight Lighting

Q: Can I add LED lighting to an already finished skylight?
Yes! Options 2 and 3 work well for retrofits, with surface-mounted profiles and custom cable solutions.

Q: Do LED strips bend around corners?
Not sharply. Use flexible link cables or request custom-soldered connections.

Q: How do I prevent LED color inconsistency?
Avoid getting paint, dust, or moisture on the LED chips. Always install LED strips after decoration is fully complete.

Q: Can I dim or control the lights remotely?
Absolutely. We offer dimmable and smart-control options compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and wall dimmers.