Skylights that bring in light and keep out water
Straight Arrow Roofing & Siding installs, replaces and repairs skylights, including VELUX, in Brantford, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Cambridge and Paris. Replacing an old skylight in the same opening is the simplest job, and the best time is when the roof is being replaced. A brand new opening means cutting into the roof, so check the permit rules first: Oakville, for one, lists skylights as needing a building permit.
Updated by Straight Arrow Roofing & Siding
Replacing a skylight or cutting a new one: what is the difference?
| Job | What it involves | Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Reflash or reseal | New flashing and seals around an existing unit | Normally none |
| Replace in the same opening | Old unit out, new unit and flashing kit in, same size hole | Ask your building department; Oakville lists skylights[1] |
| New opening | Cutting the deck and framing between rafters, plus the interior shaft | Likely; it changes the roof structure[2] |
Should you replace a skylight when you replace the roof?
If the skylight is old, usually yes. The flashing around a skylight is tied into the shingles around it, so changing it later means opening up a new roof. Doing both together means one tear-off, one set of flashing and one bill.
Why is my skylight leaking?
Often it is not the glass. Condensation on a cold pane can look like a leak in winter. A real leak usually comes from failed flashing or seals around the frame, or from a cracked pane. We find which one before we quote. For leaks elsewhere on the roof, see roof repair.
Where do we do skylights?
Across our whole area: Brantford, Paris and the County of Brant, Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas and Waterdown, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Cambridge.
What else do we do?
- Roof replacement Full tear-off to the deck and a complete new roof system, often in a single day.
- Roof repair Leaks, lifted or missing shingles, flashing, vents and storm damage.
- Roof inspections and maintenance A proper look at the roof and the attic before anyone quotes a price.
- Flat roofing Membrane roofs for garages, additions, porches and commercial buildings.
- Metal roofing Long-life metal roofs and cosmetic metal capping.
- Eavestroughs, soffit and fascia Eavestroughs and downpipes, cleaning and repairs, soffit and fascia.
- Siding Vinyl, aluminum, fibre cement and engineered wood siding.
Sources
- Building permit application process, Town of Oakville, read 16 October 2026.
- Building permit for residential renovations, City of Hamilton, read 16 October 2026.