Skylight Installation
Skylights Commercial Roof
Universal Roofs specializes in commercial dome and curb-mounted skylight installation on flat roof systems across the Greater Toronto Area. We bring natural daylight into retail spaces, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and commercial complexes while maintaining the complete waterproof integrity of your flat roofing system. Our dual expertise in flat roofing and skylight installation — a combination most GTA roofing companies cannot offer — ensures your skylight project is executed with precision at every membrane transition.
How Universal Roofs Installs Commercial Skylights on Flat Roofing Systems in Toronto
Installing skylights on flat commercial roofs is one of the most technically demanding roofing operations in the industry. Unlike steep-slope residential installations where gravity assists with water shedding, flat roof skylights must withstand ponding water, heavy snow accumulation, and constant UV exposure with zero tolerance for failure. Universal Roofs brings the specialized engineering and installation expertise needed to deliver leak-free commercial skylight systems that perform for decades. We also offer skylight replacement services for aging or failing commercial skylight systems.
Common Challenges With Commercial Skylight Installation on Flat Roofs
Commercial skylight installation on flat roofs presents unique engineering challenges that general roofing contractors are rarely equipped to handle. Curb construction must be precisely sized, structurally supported, and elevated above the maximum expected ponding water level. Membrane transitions from the horizontal roof surface up the curb face and onto the curb cap must be watertight at every ply and layer. Toronto’s heavy snow loads (design load 1.5 kPa) create significant dead weight that can deflect skylight glazing and stress curb connections. Ice dams forming against skylight curbs create hydrostatic pressure that exploits any weakness in the membrane system. These challenges require both flat roofing mastery and skylight specialization working together.
What We Deliver With Every Commercial Skylight Installation
Our commercial skylight projects are engineered to achieve measurable outcomes: maximize natural daylight to reduce artificial lighting costs by 50-75% in areas directly below, enhance occupant comfort and productivity through connection to natural light cycles, maintain the complete waterproof integrity of your flat roofing system through engineered curb assemblies and redundant membrane transitions, and deliver a fully warranted installation backed by manufacturer product warranties and our own 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Our Commercial Skylight Systems and Solutions for Flat Roofs
We install three categories of commercial skylight systems depending on your building’s needs. Dome skylights provide excellent light diffusion and snow shedding for standard commercial applications. Prismatic skylights deliver maximum daylight penetration for high-bay warehouses and manufacturing facilities. And custom architectural skylight systems create dramatic design features for retail, hospitality, and heritage building conversions. Every installation includes engineered curb construction (minimum 8″ above finished roof surface), full membrane integration with the existing flat roofing system, and redundant waterproofing layers at all critical transitions.
How Universal Roofs Approaches Commercial Skylight Installation on Flat Roofs
1. Assessment & Preparation
We begin with a comprehensive structural assessment of the existing flat roof, including core sampling to evaluate deck condition and load-bearing capacity. We calculate the additional dead load of the skylight system (frame, glazing, curb, and potential snow accumulation) and verify the existing structure can support it without reinforcement. We identify optimal skylight placement based on interior column layouts, existing mechanical equipment, drainage patterns, and desired daylight distribution.
2. Design & Planning
Our engineering team designs the complete skylight system in coordination with the existing flat roofing membrane. This includes curb height calculations (minimum 8″ above the finished roof surface, higher in areas prone to drifting snow), structural support design, membrane transition details, and interior light well specifications. For multi-skylight layouts, we calculate daylight factors using room dimensions and skylight-to-floor-area ratios to optimize natural light distribution. All designs are reviewed against Ontario Building Code requirements before fabrication begins.
3. Materials Selection
We source commercial-grade skylight systems from leading manufacturers including Wasco, Bristolite, and custom-fabricated aluminum and glass assemblies. All glazing is laminated safety glass (inner lite) over tempered glass (outer lite) rated for Toronto’s heavy snow loads and high-wind conditions. Curb assemblies are fabricated from extruded aluminum with thermal break technology to prevent condensation. All sealant systems are structural silicone rated for -40°C to +80°C continuous service.
4. Installation & Craftsmanship
Our specialized crews build the curb assemblies on-site, integrate the waterproofing membrane up and over the curbs using the same application techniques and materials as the existing roof system, install the skylight units with factory-supplied gaskets and hardware, and seal all transitions with structural silicone. For existing buildings, we maintain the building envelope with temporary weather protection throughout the installation process. We coordinate with your building operations to schedule work phases that minimize interior disruption.
5. Quality Assurance
Every commercial skylight installation undergoes comprehensive testing including hose testing at 20 PSI at all curb-to-membrane transitions, thermal imaging to verify insulation continuity and identify any moisture intrusion, and structural load verification of all connections. We photograph every stage of the installation for warranty documentation and provide a detailed maintenance manual covering semi-annual inspection points, sealant replacement schedules, and drainage verification procedures.
What You Can Expect From a Universal Roofs Commercial Skylight Installation
Our commercial skylight installations deliver significant measurable results: 50-75% reduction in artificial lighting requirements in skylight zones, measured energy savings on electricity costs, improved occupant comfort and productivity (studies show 15-20% productivity improvements with natural daylight), enhanced building aesthetics and tenant appeal, and a fully warranted, leak-free installation that performs for 20+ years. Visit our reviews page to see what Toronto commercial property owners say about our work.
Premium Materials We Use for Commercial Skylight Installations
Wasco dome skylights (acrylic and polycarbonate options), Bristolite prismatic skylight panels, custom-fabricated 6063-T5 aluminum skylight frames with thermal break, laminated safety glazing (inner) over tempered safety glazing (outer), structural silicone sealant (Dow Corning 795), SOPREMA SBS membrane integration materials, engineered aluminum curb assemblies with minimum 8″ height, Owens Corning XPS insulation board for curb cavities, and stainless steel fastening systems.
Serving Commercial Properties Across the Greater Toronto Area
Universal Roofs installs commercial skylights on flat roof systems throughout Toronto and the GTA. We work with property managers, building owners, general contractors, and architects on both new construction and retrofit projects. Our team has experience with every type of commercial flat roof membrane — SOPREMA SBS, TPO, EPDM, and PVC — and knows how to integrate skylight curbs with each system. We serve industrial parks, retail centres, office complexes, and institutional buildings across the entire Greater Toronto Area.
Why Toronto Property Managers Choose Universal Roofs for Commercial Skylights
Universal Roofs combines flat roofing expertise with skylight installation specialization — a dual capability that most GTA roofing companies cannot offer. This means your skylight project is handled by a single team that understands both the roofing membrane and the skylight system, eliminating the coordination problems and warranty gaps that occur when separate contractors handle each component.
Can you install skylights on an existing flat roof without a full replacement?
Yes. We specialize in retrofit skylight installations on existing flat roofs. We cut the roof opening, build the curb assembly, and integrate the new skylight with your existing membrane system using compatible materials and techniques. However, if your flat roof is nearing end of life, we often recommend combining the skylight installation with a complete flat roof replacement for optimal long-term performance.
How do you prevent leaks around flat roof skylights?
We use a multi-layer waterproofing approach: engineered curb assemblies elevated minimum 8" above the finished roof surface, full membrane integration using the same material as your existing roof system, cricket or saddle designs behind large skylights to direct water flow, structural silicone sealant at all frame-to-curb junctions, and redundant drainage provisions to prevent ponding water against any skylight perimeter.
Do commercial skylights require structural modifications?
It depends on the skylight size, glazing type, and the existing roof structure. We perform a detailed structural assessment before every project, including dead load calculations for the skylight system plus anticipated snow loads. If reinforcement is needed, we coordinate with licensed structural engineers and obtain all necessary permits before proceeding.
What maintenance do commercial skylights require?
Commercial skylights require semi-annual inspection of sealant joints, glazing condition, drainage paths, and curb flashing integrity. We provide a detailed maintenance schedule with every installation and offer annual maintenance programs to keep your skylight systems performing optimally. Regular maintenance prevents small issues from becoming costly repairs.
Universal Roofs provides professional commercial skylight installation on flat roofing systems across the Greater Toronto Area.
Common Questions About Commercial Skylight Installation on Flat Roofs
How much can skylights reduce lighting costs?
Properly designed commercial skylight systems can reduce artificial lighting requirements by 50-75% in the zones directly below, translating to significant electricity savings — particularly in large warehouse and retail environments that operate lighting for 10-16 hours per day. The payback period on commercial skylights typically ranges from 3 to 7 years depending on current energy costs and building usage patterns.
Can skylights be installed on any flat roof?
Most commercial flat roofs can accommodate skylights, but several factors must be evaluated: structural capacity to support the additional load, adequate clearance from existing rooftop equipment and drainage pathways, interior space below (ceiling height, obstructions, column locations), and the condition of the existing flat roofing membrane. We perform a comprehensive feasibility assessment before recommending a skylight layout.
How long do commercial skylight projects take?
A typical commercial skylight installation (3-6 units on an existing flat roof) takes 5 to 10 business days depending on curb fabrication requirements, structural modifications, and weather conditions. Larger custom projects or heritage conversions may take 3-6 weeks. We provide a detailed phase-by-phase schedule before work begins.
Do you handle permits for commercial skylight installation?
Yes. We manage all building permit applications, engineering submissions, and inspection coordination for every commercial skylight project. This includes structural engineering review, City of Toronto or municipal building permits, and any additional reviews required for heritage or designated properties. Contact us to discuss your project.
Need Help?
- 416-732-2421
- info@universalroofs.ca
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