Commercial skylights do more than brighten a space, they change how a building performs and how people feel inside it. Natural daylight cuts lighting costs, boosts occupant wellbeing, and makes commercial spaces feel open and premium rather than fluorescent and closed-in. This Toronto commercial skylight installation shows how we plan, engineer, and install skylights on a commercial building to code and on schedule.

Commercial work carries higher stakes than residential: larger units, greater structural loads, flat or low-slope roofs, and the need to keep a building operating while the work happens. Every one of those factors demands proper engineering and commercial-grade methods, there’s no room for the shortcuts that a small residential job might survive.

The Challenge

The property owner had a dim, artificially lit atrium that felt closed-in and cost a significant amount to keep lit throughout the working day. Tenants described the space as gloomy, and the lighting bill for a large central area running dawn-to-dusk was substantial.

They wanted natural light, but had real, legitimate concerns: could the roof structure carry large skylights, would a commercial flat roof stay waterproof around multiple openings, and how much would the work disrupt the businesses operating inside?

The Client’s Goals

The core goal was to flood the atrium with natural daylight and cut the daytime lighting energy costs that came with keeping it artificially lit.

Just as important, they needed it done properly, with real structural engineering, guaranteed commercial-grade waterproofing, and a work plan that minimised disruption to the tenants below.

Our Solution

We planned a run of commercial-grade skylights set on engineered curbs, waterproofed with a commercial flashing-and-membrane system rated for Toronto’s climate. On a flat or low-slope commercial roof, the curb height and membrane integration are everything, they’re what keep water moving away from the openings.

We coordinated the structural engineering to confirm the roof could carry the new openings and sequenced the work to keep the impact on the building’s occupants as low as possible.

Our Step-by-Step Approach

1. Site Assessment & Engineering

We assessed the roof structure, the load requirements, and the drainage, and coordinated with engineering to ensure the skylight run met commercial code and structural requirements. On a commercial building, this step isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of a safe, compliant installation.

We mapped the openings around the roof’s existing drainage so the finished result would shed water correctly rather than creating new pooling points.

2. Structural Preparation

We prepared the roof openings and built engineered curbs to carry the skylights and integrate cleanly with the commercial roof assembly. Raising commercial skylights on properly engineered curbs is what keeps water off the glass on a low-slope roof.

Each opening was framed to carry its load and sized precisely for the units going in.

3. Curb & Flashing

We installed commercial-grade flashing and membrane around each curb, the single most critical waterproofing layer on a flat or low-slope commercial roof. Commercial membrane systems are a different standard entirely from residential shingle flashing.

Every curb was tied into the surrounding roof membrane to create one continuous, watertight envelope across the whole run.

4. Skylight Installation

The commercial skylight units were set, secured, and sealed, then integrated with the surrounding roof membrane so the openings became a seamless part of the roof rather than vulnerable weak points.

We verified the waterproofing across the full run before moving to the interior integration.

5. Interior Integration

We finished the interior openings so daylight spread cleanly and evenly into the atrium, coordinating with the building’s existing finishes for a polished, intentional result.

The transition from roof to interior was detailed so the skylights read as a designed architectural feature, not a retrofit.

The Result

The atrium is now bathed in natural daylight from morning through afternoon, dramatically reducing the daytime lighting load and transforming the feel of the entire space. Tenants gained a brighter, more welcoming environment, and the owner cut a recurring energy cost.

The installation is fully watertight and engineered to commercial code, so the benefit comes with none of the leak or structural risk the owner had worried about.

Products & Materials

Commercial-grade skylight units, engineered structural curbs, and a commercial flashing-and-roofing-membrane waterproofing system rated for Toronto’s freeze-thaw climate. Commercial glazing options manage both daylight and solar heat gain, helping balance brightness with energy performance across a large space.

Why Toronto Businesses Trust TSI

Commercial skylights demand proper engineering and commercial-grade waterproofing, get either one wrong and the cost of putting it right is enormous. We handle the assessment, coordinate the structural engineering, and install to commercial code, with waterproofing built to commercial standards rather than residential ones.

We also plan around your operations, sequencing the work to keep disruption to tenants and staff to a minimum. The result is a bright, compliant, watertight installation delivered without shutting your building down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Start Your Skylight Project?

Considering skylights for your Toronto commercial property? We’ll assess your roof, coordinate the engineering, and provide a clear scope and quote, with commercial-grade waterproofing and minimal disruption to your operations. Let’s talk about bringing daylight into your space.

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