What Commercial Skylight Replacement Involves
Commercial skylights fail at scale. When one dome cracks, the other eleven installed at the same time are usually not far behind. Replacement is about doing them in a sensible order, keeping the building operating and making sure the new units are tied into the roof properly.
We start with a condition survey of every unit, then plan phases around your tenants and any upcoming re-roof. Each unit is removed, the curb is checked, the membrane is tied back in and a fall-protection screen goes on the same day.
The 5 Commercial Skylight Problems We Replace Most
- Cracked and yellowed polycarbonate domes on warehouses and retail.
- Wired glass on older industrial roofs.
- Failed atrium glazing with fogged or leaking sealed units.
- Rotted wood curbs under decades of patches.
- Missing fall protection on units installed before current rules.
Residential-Scale Replacement in Commercial Buildings
Condo Amenity Rooms
Board-managed replacements with notices and COI. Our King West condo retrofit covered 12 units.
Apartment Corridors
Top-floor corridors in rental buildings brightened again.
Seniors’ Residences
Quiet scheduling and laminated glass.
Mixed-Use Main Street Buildings
Apartments over shops along Queen, the Danforth and Roncesvalles.
Commercial Replacement by Building Type
Offices and Towers
Our Vaughan Metropolitan Centre office tower replacement ran $65,000 over one week.
Libraries and Public Buildings
City of Toronto Public Library branch on the Danforth, phased around public hours in 2024.
Retail and Showrooms
Single-day swaps before opening.
Warehouses and Industrial
Bays replaced in phases with screens.
Restaurants
Atrium replacements worked around service.
Schools
Summer or holiday scheduling where possible.
Specialty Commercial Replacement
Re-Roof Sequencing
Units swapped while the roofer is on site so the tie-in is done once.
Polycarbonate to Glass
Clearer, longer-lasting glazing.
Hail-Resistant Glazing
For exposed roofs and impact risk.
Smoke Vent Replacement
Like-for-like ULC-listed units where required.
Materials
| Item | Options |
|---|---|
| Units | Velux Dynamic Dome, curb-mount glass, custom atrium panels |
| Glazing | Laminated, tempered Low-E, polycarbonate |
| Tie-in | TPO, EPDM, SBS to the manufacturer’s detail |
| Safety | MOL-standard fall-protection screens |
Our Commercial Replacement Expertise
We know that the hard part of commercial work is not the skylight, it is the logistics. Who holds the roof warranty, when tenants arrive, where the crane can stand, what the board needs to see. We sort those out before anyone climbs a ladder.
What Actually Stops Managers From Replacing Skylights
“Budget is already committed this year.”
In our opinion, a condition survey helps here. We tell you which units are urgent and which can wait for next year’s capital plan.
“Tenants will complain.”
Phasing and after-hours cutting keep complaints rare.
“We just re-roofed.”
We tie into new membranes to the roofer’s details without voiding warranties.
“Paperwork is a nightmare.”
COI, WSIB letters, method statements and closeout docs, all standard.
Commercial Replacement Timeline
Survey (Week 1)
Every unit inspected and reported.
Proposal and Approvals (Weeks 2 to 4)
Phasing plan, permits if needed.
Phased Replacement
One day to three weeks depending on unit count.
Closeout
Photos, warranties, documentation.
Commercial Replacement Cost in Toronto: What Drives the Price
Number of Units
Larger batches lower the per-unit cost.
Unit Type
Domes cost less than glass curb-mount or atrium panels.
Curb Condition
Rotted curbs need rebuilding.
Membrane Type
SBS tie-ins take more time than TPO.
Screens
Required on commercial roofs.
Scheduling
After-hours and weekend premiums are itemized.
Commercial Replacement vs Installation vs Repair: Which Service You Need
Failing units in place: replacement. New openings: commercial installation. One leaking unit on a newer roof: leak repair.
Fixed, Venting or Solar: Choosing Your Skylight Type
Most commercial replacements are fixed units or domes. Venting and smoke-vent units are specified where code or comfort requires. Smart and solar controls fit offices and clinics.
Commercial Skylight Replacement Timeline in Toronto: What to Expect Week-by-Week
Survey in week one, approvals in weeks two to four, phased work on site for one day to three weeks, closeout within a week.
Why Facility Managers Call Us Back
Clean phasing, proper tie-ins and documents your auditors will like. We specd it all out up front.
