Roof Replacement & Skylight Installation
Skylights Roof
Universal Roofs offers Toronto homeowners the opportunity to combine a full roof replacement with new skylight installation in a single, coordinated project. This integrated approach saves significant cost compared to separate projects, eliminates the risks of cutting into a finished roof, and delivers a perfectly integrated roofing and skylight system built together from the deck up — with a single warranty covering the entire installation.
How Universal Roofs Combines Roof Replacement With Skylight Installation in Toronto
When your roof needs replacement, it is the ideal time to add skylights. Building both systems simultaneously means no cutting into finished shingles, no added flashing complexity, and no risk of disturbing a completed roof assembly. Universal Roofs handles both roof replacement and skylight installation with the same crew, same schedule, and same quality standards — delivering a complete system where every component is designed and installed to work together. If you’re considering skylights for your home, a combined project is always our top recommendation.
Why Combining Roof Replacement and Skylight Installation Makes Sense
Adding skylights to an existing finished roof is one of the most common sources of leaks that our roof repair team encounters. When skylights are retrofitted onto a completed roof, the installer must cut through finished shingles, underlayment, and ice shield — then try to integrate new flashing into an existing waterproofing system that wasn’t designed to accommodate it. The result is often imperfect transitions, reduced ice protection coverage, and compromised waterproofing. A combined project eliminates all of these risks because the skylights, flashing, ice shield, underlayment, and shingles are all installed in the correct sequence as a single, unified system.
What We Deliver With Combined Roof and Skylight Projects
Our combined projects deliver a brand-new roofing system with factory-integrated skylights providing: maximum natural light with Velux Low-E argon-filled glazing (U-factors as low as 0.27), complete waterproofing with ice and water shield extending 36″ beyond every skylight, a properly ventilated attic space with balanced intake and exhaust, premium architectural shingles rated for wind speeds up to 210 km/h, and a single comprehensive warranty covering the entire system — both roof and skylights.
Our Integrated Roof and Skylight Installation Process
We install CertainTeed Landmark PRO, IKO Dynasty, or GAF Timberline HDZ architectural shingles alongside Velux deck-mounted or venting skylights with factory-fit flashing kits. The key advantage is sequencing: we strip to deck, install skylight framing, apply ice and water shield continuously across the skylight zone, install the skylight units and flashing kits, lay underlayment, and then shingle — all in the correct manufacturer-specified order. This means the ice shield passes unbroken beneath the skylight flashing, the flashing interlaces perfectly with the shingle courses, and every layer of protection works as designed. For homes that also need improved attic ventilation, we incorporate upgraded ridge and soffit ventilation into the same project.
How Universal Roofs Approaches Combined Roof and Skylight Projects in Toronto
1. Assessment & Preparation
We strip the entire existing roof to the structural deck, inspect every sheet of decking for moisture damage, rot, or delamination, and replace any compromised substrate. With the deck fully exposed, we mark the precise locations for skylight openings based on interior room layouts, rafter spacing, and optimal daylight angles — a level of planning precision that’s impossible with a retrofit installation on a finished roof.
2. Design & Planning
Our project manager designs the complete integrated system to optimize both roof performance and skylight placement. We consider water flow patterns (skylights are positioned to avoid valley convergence points), snow load distribution, rafter spacing compatibility, interior room dimensions, and the relationship between skylight area and room size. Velux recommends 5-15% of floor area for optimal daylighting. You receive a comprehensive proposal covering both the roof replacement and skylight installation with material specifications, colour selection, and a detailed project schedule.
3. Materials Selection
We source premium materials for both systems from authorized Canadian distributors. Roof materials include CertainTeed Landmark PRO or IKO Dynasty architectural shingles, Grace Ice & Water Shield, DuPont Tyvek Protec 160 synthetic underlayment, Lomanco Omni Ridge ventilation, and pre-painted aluminum drip edge and flashing. Skylight materials include Velux deck-mounted or venting skylights, manufacturer-specific EDL stepped flashing kits, Roxul ComfortBatt insulation, and moisture-resistant drywall for interior light shafts.
4. Installation & Craftsmanship
With the deck prepared and skylight openings framed, our crew installs ice and water shield continuously across all eaves, valleys, and skylight zones — creating an unbroken waterproof barrier that extends 36″ beyond each skylight perimeter. Skylight units are set into framed openings, factory flashing kits are installed, and underlayment is applied over the entire roof surface. Shingle installation then proceeds in sequence, with each course interlacing with the skylight flashing exactly as the manufacturer specifies.
5. Quality Assurance
Every combined project undergoes our full quality inspection protocol: hose testing at each skylight, shingle adhesion verification, flashing waterproofing checks at all transitions, ventilation airflow measurement, and comprehensive photo documentation. Interior skylight finishing includes light shaft framing, vapour barrier, insulation, drywall, trim, and painting. We register all warranties, provide maintenance guides for both roof and skylights, and walk you through the entire completed system. Contact us any time for warranty service.
What You Can Expect From a Combined Roof and Skylight Project
Our combined projects deliver the best possible outcome for Toronto homeowners: a new roof system with perfectly integrated skylights providing dramatic natural light, a completely leak-free installation with continuous ice and water shield protection, improved energy efficiency through both upgraded roof insulation and Low-E skylight glazing, enhanced curb appeal and home value, and comprehensive warranty coverage from 25 to 50 years on the roof plus 10 years on the skylights. Our clients consistently tell us the combined approach was the best decision they made. Read their experiences on our reviews page.
Premium Materials We Use for Combined Roof and Skylight Projects
CertainTeed Landmark PRO MaxDef architectural shingles, IKO Dynasty Performance shingles (Class 4 impact), GAF Timberline HDZ shingles, Velux FCM fixed skylights, Velux VCM manual venting skylights, Velux VSM solar-powered venting skylights, Velux EDL stepped flashing kits, Grace Ice & Water Shield, DuPont Tyvek Protec 160 underlayment, Lomanco Omni Ridge ventilation, Cobra Snow Country Advanced ridge vent, Roxul ComfortBatt R-22 insulation, and pre-painted aluminum drip edge.
Serving Homeowners Across the Greater Toronto Area
Universal Roofs provides combined roof replacement and skylight installation services throughout Toronto and the GTA. We work with homeowners at every stage from initial design consultation through final inspection, handling all permits, engineering reviews, and inspections. Our team has experience with every residential roof type — from older Toronto homes with complex hip and valley geometries to new subdivision homes with straightforward gable roofs.
Why Toronto Homeowners Choose Universal Roofs for Combined Roof and Skylight Projects
Universal Roofs is one of the few companies in the GTA certified in both premium shingle installation (IKO, CertainTeed, GAF) and factory-trained skylight installation (Velux). This dual expertise means your combined project is executed by a single, coordinated team — no subcontractors, no coordination gaps, no divided warranty responsibility. We carry $5 million commercial general liability insurance and full WSIB registration.
Is it cheaper to add skylights during a roof replacement?
Significantly. Combining the two services eliminates the additional cost of cutting into a finished roof, removing and replacing shingles in the skylight zone, and re-flashing around the skylight. The labour savings typically range from 30-40% compared to a separate retrofit installation. We provide transparent pricing for both services in a single proposal. Request a quote.
How many skylights can you add during a roof replacement?
There is no fixed limit. We design the skylight layout based on your roof's structural capacity, rafter spacing, interior room layouts, and desired natural light levels. Most residential projects include 1-4 skylights, but we have installed up to 8 skylights on larger homes. Our design process ensures each skylight is optimally placed for maximum light and minimum structural impact.
Does adding skylights affect the roof warranty?
Not when installed together by a certified installer using manufacturer-specified flashing kits. Our integrated installation approach ensures all warranty requirements are met for both the roofing shingles and the Velux skylights. You receive full manufacturer coverage on both products. See our FAQ page for more warranty details.
Can you add both fixed and venting skylights?
Yes. We commonly install a combination — fixed skylights for maximum light in living areas and hallways, and venting skylights for air circulation in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Solar-powered venting models (Velux VSM) require no wiring and can be automated with rain sensors and programmable controls.
Universal Roofs provides combined roof replacement and skylight installation services across the Greater Toronto Area.
Common Questions About Combined Roof Replacement and Skylight Installation
How long does a combined roof and skylight project take?
A typical combined project takes 4 to 8 business days for the exterior work (tear-off, decking repairs, skylight framing, ice shield, underlayment, skylight installation, flashing, and shingling). Interior skylight finishing (light shaft, insulation, drywall, trim) typically adds 1-2 additional days per skylight. We provide a detailed schedule before work begins.
Can I see what the skylights will look like before installation?
Yes. We provide detailed diagrams showing exact skylight placement on your roof, and we can show you completed installations on similar homes. Velux also offers an online daylight visualizer tool. Our skylight specialists will walk you through all options during the design consultation.
Do skylights perform well in Toronto winters?
Absolutely. The Velux skylights we install feature triple-layer Low-E glazing with argon gas fill, achieving U-values as low as 0.27 — comparable to premium double-pane windows. Combined with proper insulation around the light shaft and balanced attic ventilation, a well-installed skylight has minimal impact on heating costs even in the coldest Toronto winters.
Will skylights increase my home value?
Yes. Both new roofs and skylights consistently rank among the top ROI home improvements. A new roof typically recovers 60-70% of its cost at resale, and skylights add both functional value (natural light, ventilation) and architectural appeal that prospective buyers notice immediately.
Need Help?
- 416-732-2421
- info@universalroofs.ca
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