ENHANCING INTERIOR SPACES
Skylights bring light in. When done wrong, they bring water in, too.
Bring natural light into the building without creating recurring leaks by using properly detailed curbs, flashing, and roof-system integration.
TRUSTED BY
Natural Light, Without the Leaks Skylights Are Known For.
Skylights bring daylight and energy savings to commercial buildings — and they are also among the most common sources of roof leaks, because every skylight is a hole in the roof that depends entirely on the quality of its flashing and detailing. Installed correctly, a skylight performs for decades. When installed poorly, it becomes a recurring point of intrusion. The difference is the Roofing expertise behind the installation.
AVID Roofing & Waterproofing installs and replaces commercial skylights as Roofing professionals first. We treat the skylight as a roof penetration that must be made watertight, with the same detailing discipline we bring to every flashing and transition. Our field leadership carries decades of experience that this failure-prone detail demands.
The energy case for skylights is genuine. Natural daylighting reduces reliance on artificial lighting during operating hours, lowering electricity costs and improving the quality of the interior environment — a benefit that matters in warehouses, retail, and workplaces alike. The trick is capturing that benefit without inheriting the risk of leaks, and that balance is a roofing problem before it is a lighting one.
Our Skylight Installation Process.
We start by assessing the roof system and the opening, ensuring the curb, flashing, and surrounding membrane are integrated into a single watertight assembly. Whether installing new skylights or replacing failed units, we detail the penetration so water is shed away rather than trapped against it.
Flashing is where skylights succeed or fail, and it is where we concentrate. We integrate the skylight into the roof's drainage and detailing so that the unit and the surrounding roof function as one system rather than two components that merely coexist.
We also match the skylight specification to the building's needs — unit type, glazing, and placement — so the daylighting performs without creating glare or heat-gain problems, and so the units integrate cleanly with the roof's drainage rather than obstructing it.
What You Get and the Risk We Eliminate.
You get the daylighting and energy benefits of skylights with the watertight performance that depends on expert installation and skylight units properly integrated into your specific roof system, rather than dropped in and sealed with optimism.
The risk we eliminate is the leak that skylights are notorious for — the slow intrusion at a poorly flashed curb that damages interiors and erodes trust in the roof. Roofing-grade detailing is what prevents it.
You also get peace of mind on the detail that causes the most regret. Owners who add skylights and then fight chronic leaks almost always trace the problem to an installer who treated the skylight as a window rather than a roof penetration. We treat it as roofing, which is exactly why ours do not leak.
Logistics and Continuity.
Skylight work means opening the roof, so weather sequencing and watertight staging matter. We schedule and execute work to keep the building protected at every stage and coordinate with tenant operations on occupied properties.
Because the same firm handles the skylight and the surrounding roof, the penetration and the roof are detailed by a single accountable party — closing the gap where skylight leaks often begin.
When skylights are part of a larger roof project, we sequence their installation with the surrounding work so that the penetrations are made and sealed as an integrated part of the roof, rather than bolted on afterward by a separate trade.
Skylight work means opening the roof, so weather sequencing and watertight staging matter at every step. We schedule and execute to keep the building protected throughout, coordinate with tenant operations on occupied properties, and, because one firm handles both the skylight and the surrounding roof, the penetration and the roof are detailed by a single accountable party.
Skylight Installation
Frequently Asked Questions:
We install fixed and operable commercial skylights, tubular daylighting devices, smoke vents, and custom skylight systems across flat and low-slope commercial roofs. Installation includes curb framing, flashing integration with the existing roof membrane, and sealing in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications — which is where most skylight failures occur when installation is handled by a general contractor rather than a certified roofing crew.
Skylights leak because the flashing fails—the seal between the skylight frame and roof deteriorates over time due to UV exposure, thermal movement, and aging caulk. Poor installation makes it worse; if flashing isn't sealed correctly initially, leaks show up fast. The glass or acrylic can also crack from thermal stress or hail. Prevention starts with quality materials and proper installation detail—the flashing has to account for roof pitch, thermal expansion and contraction, and water management. The flashing needs regular maintenance too; inspect sealant annually and re-caulk if it's cracking or pulling away. AVID installs skylights and knows the details that prevent leaks. Before installing or replacing a skylight, we evaluate the roof system and explain the flashing approach and maintenance requirements.
It depends on how the skylight is installed. Cutting a hole in the membrane creates a penetration, and the manufacturer typically won't warrant that area since the membrane is no longer continuous there. However, if installed properly with certified flashing by a certified installer, the warranty on the surrounding membrane stays intact. The skylight and its flashing are covered by the contractor's warranty and the skylight manufacturer's warranty. Before adding a skylight, we review the existing roof system, warranty requirements, and proposed flashing details to determine how the installation may affect existing coverage. Some roofs have already been cut for HVAC units or other penetrations, so ask whether adding one more changes anything. The key is to do the work correctly so it doesn't become a point of failure—that's where certification and attention to detail matter.
Commercial skylights last 20–30 years, but the flashing typically fails before the skylight itself does—that's usually the weak point. Acrylic yellows and degrades faster than polycarbonate when exposed to UV light. Thermal movement from temperature swings stresses the seal between the frame and roof, making the flashing the maintenance focus. The glass or acrylic can also crack from hail or foot traffic. Proper installation and regular flashing maintenance extend the life of skylights; neglected skylights fail sooner. We recommend the appropriate skylight type based on the roof system, building use, climate exposure, and required service life.
Cost depends on skylight size, material (acrylic vs. polycarbonate), roof type, and the complexity of the opening and flashing. Single skylights cost less than multiple units; retrofitting an existing roof costs more than installing them during initial construction because it involves more membrane work and coordination. Labor usually makes up a larger share of the cost than the skylight itself. We provide a project-specific quote based on the skylight size, roof system, opening, flashing requirements, access, and installation conditions.
Yes, if the skylight frame and glass or acrylic are still in good condition. You can remove old caulk, replace the flashing, and reseal the perimeter—that's far cheaper than replacing the entire unit. This works when leaks are due to seal failure or flashing deterioration, not a cracked or opaque glass/acrylic. If the glass is yellowed, cracked, or damaged, resealing won't help; replacement makes sense. We inspect the skylight to determine whether reflashing solves the problem or if the unit itself needs replacing.