VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Skylight repair and installation in Vancouver, BC

A clearer view of the problem. A practical plan for the roof.

Paragon Roofing BC repairs, replaces and installs skylights in Vancouver. We help you understand whether the issue is the unit, its flashing or the roofing around it before agreeing on the work.

Request a skylight assessment Call 604 358 3436
Two domed skylights on raised curbs in a patterned shingle roof below an eave.
Two domed skylights below an eave. The unit, curb and surrounding roof each have a role in keeping water outside.

START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE NOTICED

A wet ceiling does not identify the failed part

Water during rain

Tell us where the water appears and whether wind or heavier rain changes it. The assessment should consider the glazing, frame, curb, flashing and nearby roof details. Water can travel before it reaches the visible stain.

Repeated surface patches can hide the condition underneath. A useful repair plan explains the suspected entry point, what can be inspected and which concealed areas may need opening.

Condensation or cloudy glazing

Moisture on the inside face of cold glass can be condensation. Persistent fog between sealed panes is a different issue and may involve the glazing seal. Neither should automatically be treated by applying sealant around the roof.

Indoor moisture, air leakage and the condition of the light shaft may need attention alongside the skylight. Record the pattern before deciding which trade or repair is needed.

If water is entering now

Call with the location and symptoms so we can discuss current availability and safe access. Keep clear of sagging ceilings and water near electrical equipment. Take photographs only from a safe position inside or at ground level.

COMPARE THE ACTUAL WORK

Repair, replace or create a new opening?

On a small screen, scroll sideways to compare every column.

Your situation Possible scope What needs confirming
Sound unit with a flashing defect Repair or replace the affected roof connection. Condition of the curb and surrounding covering, access to the defect and whether materials can be reinstated.
Damaged or fogged glazing Compatible glass or dome replacement, or a complete unit. Exact model, available parts, frame condition and whether the leak also involves the roof.
Deteriorated unit or repeated problems Replace the skylight and integrate suitable new flashing. Opening and curb dimensions, concealed damage, interior work and the remaining roof condition.
A room needs more daylight Plan a new skylight or tubular daylighting system. Roof and ceiling layout, framing, light shaft or tube route, approvals and finishing responsibilities.

When you are replacing the whole roof, decide the skylight scope before the new covering goes down. Retaining a sound unit and replacing an unsuitable one are different proposals; neither should be assumed from age alone.

If you no longer want the opening, see our skylight removal and roof closure information. The regional page also helps with work outside Vancouver.

TELL US WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE

Discuss your Vancouver skylight

Share the address, roof type and the problem you want to solve. Our own roofing crews carry out the work, with owner involvement and a written scope that sets out the proposed roof and skylight details.

Include any previous repairs or plans for a wider reroof. Confirm the assessment arrangements and any fee when booking.

Vancouver skylight enquiry

MATCH THE CONNECTION TO THE COVERING

Skylight work by roof type

The flashing must direct water around the opening and back onto the roof. The right arrangement depends on the covering, roof pitch and exact skylight model. A bead of sealant cannot replace a correctly integrated flashing system.

On a small screen, scroll sideways to compare every column.

Roof covering How the detail changes Assessment priorities
Asphalt shingles Suitable step flashing interweaves with the shingle courses, with coordinated lower and upper details. Can surrounding shingles be lifted and reinstated? Check the underlayment connection and concealed deck condition.
Cedar shakes or shingles The flashing arrangement must accommodate the thickness and profile of the wood roofing. Check the condition of neighbouring shakes and whether the selected flashing is suitable for this covering.
Metal roofing Panel profile, seams and the manufacturer’s compatible flashing or curb detail govern the connection. Check how water passes the opening and how panel movement, fasteners and material compatibility are addressed.
Flat or low slope roofing A suitable curb and membrane detail connect the skylight to the roof’s water control layer. Check curb condition and height, membrane attachment and terminations, drainage and the selected unit’s pitch limits.

The opening also needs appropriate insulation and air sealing. Exterior flashing and the interior light shaft solve different problems; both belong in the scope when the assessment identifies defects.

SKYLIGHT DETAIL GALLERY

The unit and its roof connection

A rectangular glass skylight with a dark frame and visible lower flashing on a grey shingle roof.
The lower flashing returns water onto the shingles. Check the full perimeter when assessing the roof connection.
Two rectangular glass skylights set into a grey shingle roof, with vents near the ridge.
Two glass units within one roof plane. Measurements and condition must be checked for each opening.

PLAN THE ROOM AS WELL AS THE ROOF

New skylight installation in Vancouver

Choose the daylight you want

A fixed skylight brings light without an opening sash. A venting unit adds an opening function, with manual, electric or solar powered operation depending on the model. Consider reach, controls, screens, shading and any electrical work.

Tubular daylighting uses a roof collector and reflective tube to reach a ceiling diffuser. It can suit a smaller space, but the route through the roof and attic still needs checking. Product availability and the actual layout determine what fits.

Choose the mounting arrangement

A curb mounted unit sits on a raised frame. A deck mounted unit attaches at the roof deck with its specified flashing. They are not interchangeable simply because the visible glass looks similar.

Measure the opening and supporting construction, establish the roof pitch and select the unit with its compatible flashing. On a replacement, verify the existing curb rather than assuming it will accept a new model.

Comfort depends on more than glass area

Discuss glare, summer heat, insulation performance and shade options for the room. Compare the proposed glazing and product ratings. More daylight does not guarantee a lower energy bill, and an opening skylight does not replace necessary bathroom or kitchen exhaust.

FROM FIRST VISIT TO FINISHING

What a complete installation scope covers

  1. Assess and measure

    Review the room, roof covering, access, existing unit and any moisture history. Identify framing constraints and conditions that cannot be confirmed without opening the assembly.

  2. Agree on products and responsibilities

    Specify the unit, mounting detail, flashing and affected roof area. Set out design, approvals, electrical work, light shaft construction and finishing responsibilities before ordering.

  3. Prepare and connect the opening

    Plan weather protection and access to the space below. Assess exposed support and decking, address agreed repairs, install the skylight and connect the flashing to the surrounding roofing and underlayment.

  4. Complete the room and handover

    Confirm the insulation, air sealing and interior finish included in the work. Review operation of any opening unit, cleanup, product information and applicable warranty documents.

A new opening can involve framing and other building systems. The design and approval requirements must be settled before cutting. A replacement can also reveal hidden deterioration that changes the agreed work.

ROOF CONTEXT GALLERY

Plan around the whole roof area

Multiple rectangular skylights across adjoining shingle roof slopes, including an open sash in the foreground.
Opening units, roof slopes and nearby vents. A plan for several skylights should identify the scope at each unit.
Shingle roof planes with ridge caps, skylights and several roof penetrations.
Ridges and penetrations around skylights. Include the roofing above and beside a reported leak in the investigation.

COMPARE THE SAME SCOPE

What affects skylight cost in Vancouver?

A flashing repair, replacement unit and new roof opening involve different work. The assessment should separate the known scope from allowances for conditions that remain concealed.

The roof and product

  • Number, dimensions and type of skylights.
  • Glazing, opening mechanism, controls and shades.
  • Roof height, pitch, covering and safe access.
  • Flashing, curb work and surrounding roof repairs.

The work around it

  • Deck or framing deterioration found when opened.
  • Light shaft, insulation, drywall and paint.
  • Design, permit and electrical responsibilities.
  • Protection, staging, disposal and occupied areas.

Ask the proposal to identify exclusions, taxes and how additional damage will be documented, priced and approved. Confirm which product and workmanship warranties apply to the exact scope, including maintenance requirements.

Where the problem extends beyond the opening, our Vancouver roof repair service covers the broader roof investigation.

LOCAL PROJECT PLANNING

Vancouver approvals and building access

Confirm the permit requirements

The City lists some roofing and minor exterior maintenance as work that does not require a permit, while structural repairs generally do. Those examples do not determine every skylight project.

Confirm the actual proposal with the City of Vancouver before a new opening, enlargement, closure or framing change. A replacement in the same opening also needs its own scope review. Record who handles any required design and approvals.

Plan for the property

For strata or commercial buildings, identify who authorizes the work and coordinates roof and interior access. Supply previous leak reports, existing roof specifications and relevant warranty information.

Discuss occupant notices, staging and any specialist glazing or design input. Heritage status or changes to a protected building’s appearance may introduce additional review. Establish the requirements for the actual property before work starts.

For other work on the building, return to our Vancouver roofing services. Keep the roof, skylights and interior responsibilities coordinated in the written proposal.

BEFORE YOU ARRANGE THE WORK

Vancouver skylight questions

Can you repair a leaking skylight without replacing it?

A local flashing fault may be repairable when the skylight, curb and surrounding roof remain sound. Cracked glazing, deteriorated frames, unavailable parts or recurring damage can make replacement more practical. We assess the cause and explain what a repair would retain before recommending the scope.

Does fogged glass mean the roof is leaking?

Fog trapped between sealed glass panes usually points to a glazing seal problem. Moisture on the room side can be condensation, while water appearing during rain can come from the skylight or surrounding roof. The location and timing of the moisture help guide the investigation.

Can you replace the glass or dome only?

Sometimes, if a compatible replacement is available and the frame remains suitable. The manufacturer, model, dimensions and condition need checking first. Replacing glazing will not correct defective roof flashing, and a complete unit may be the better option when several components have deteriorated.

Should I replace my skylight when replacing the roof?

Assess both together before the roofing work starts. A serviceable skylight may remain with a suitable flashing scope. Damage, poor performance or an unsuitable connection can favour replacement. The proposal should identify which units remain, which are replaced and how each opening connects to the new roofing.

Can skylights be installed on flat or metal roofs?

Yes, with a product and installation detail suited to the actual roof. Low slope roofs need a compatible curb and membrane connection. Metal roofs need details matched to the panel profile and skylight. Roof pitch, dimensions and the manufacturer’s instructions determine the suitable arrangement.

Do I need a permit for skylight work in Vancouver?

It depends on the scope. The City lists some roofing and minor exterior maintenance as work that does not require a permit, while structural repairs generally do. A new, enlarged or closed opening needs project specific review. Confirm the requirements with the City of Vancouver and identify who handles any approvals before work begins.

How much does skylight repair or replacement cost in Vancouver?

The diagnosis, unit, roof access, flashing, surrounding damage and interior work determine the price. A unit replacement in an existing opening differs from creating a new opening. Request an itemized scope that identifies exclusions, allowances and how concealed damage would be approved.

Can a skylight be removed permanently?

Removal may be an option, but the opening needs a complete closure plan. Supporting construction, decking, roofing, insulation, air sealing and the interior finish all need attention. Confirm feasibility, approval requirements and the appearance of the roofing patch before choosing removal.

What should I send when requesting an assessment?

Tell us the Vancouver property address, building type, what you have noticed and whether you want repair, replacement or a new installation. Include earlier repair records and photographs taken safely from inside or the ground. An accessible product label can help, but do not climb onto the roof to find one.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Tell us about your skylight project

Whether you are dealing with a leak or planning more daylight, start with the property and the change you want to make. We can discuss the assessment and the information needed for a useful proposal.

Call 604 358 3436 Contact Paragon Roofing BC

Vancouver skylight enquiry