Skylight Renewal and Flashing Rebuild on a Burlington Home
A boutique roofing solution to stop leaks, restore daylight and rebuild flashing on a two-storey home.
Why this project mattered
We were engaged by owners of a two-storey home in Burlington who were experiencing intermittent water intrusion around an older curb-mounted skylight. The project required removing the ageing glazing, addressing sub-flashing failures in the valley and rebuilding the entire curb detail to modern standards. Given Burlington’s climate and the house’s proximity to Lake Ontario, robust detailing and careful sequencing were essential.
Condition we found
The original skylight had a metal curb with multiple, inadequately lapped flashings and several signs of long-term moisture staining in the surrounding roof sheathing. Under the skylight we discovered oak-sanded plywood with localized rot where flashing laps had trapped water. The glazing seals had also failed, allowing condensation and short-term leaks.
Access and roof geometry
This was a two-storey roof with a steep pitch, intersecting valleys and an adjacent chimney chase that constrained our scaffold placement. The skylight sat near a convergence of a hip and a valley, making flashing sequencing and temporary weatherproofing more complex. Safe, staged access from scaffolding and fall-protection were planned for every step.
Homeowner priorities
The client wanted daylight restored with a flush, low-profile aesthetic and long-term reliability rather than a quick patch. They asked for materials that blend with architectural shingles, minimal interior disruption, and documentation for future resale. We also discussed energy performance and condensation control to ensure comfort year-round.
How we approached the work
- 1
Careful removal and assessment
We removed the old skylight and carefully stripped surrounding shingles to expose the curb and roof decking. All deteriorated sheathing was cut out and replaced with CDX plywood, then primed with a breathable, mould-resistant primer to meet Ontario building expectations for durability.
- 2
Rebuilt curb to code and performance standards
A new 2x pressure-treated curb was constructed to the required height for the selected skylight, ensuring the head flashing clears snowdrift and ice-damming zones common in Burlington’s winters. The curb was sheathed and sealed with a self-adhered ice and water shield (Soprema/IKO-style) extending beyond the curb onto the roof deck to create a secondary barrier.
- 3
Layered flashing system
We installed a full-step flashing stack: self-adhered membrane at the base, through-wall head and side flashings of 0.7 mm (24 gauge) lead-free aluminium, and terminated the top with a counterflashing integrated under the field shingles. All laps followed best-practice shingle-over-flashing sequencing to ensure positive shed of water in line with Ontario code recommendations.
- 4
High-performance skylight and glazing
We fitted a low-profile, double-glazed, argon-filled acrylic skylight with a low-E coating for thermal control and condensation reduction. The unit selected included a factory-integrated EPDM compression gasket; we augmented this with a continuous silicone bond at the interior curb for airtightness while preserving manufacturer warranty conditions.
- 5
Finishing, inspection and interior touch-ups
We reinstated architectural shingles (matching the original colour and profile) cut and sealed to factory tolerances, and installed new drip edges. A full water test and visual inspection were performed in dry and simulated wet conditions. Interior drywall at the ceiling opening was checked, and minor repairs were left for the homeowner to finish to match the room’s plaster.
What the finished job delivered
The completed skylight and flashing rebuild addressed the leak source, improved thermal performance and delivered a neat aesthetic suited to the home’s design. The solution we installed was chosen for longevity in Burlington’s seasonal extremes and for low maintenance.
Reliable waterproofing performance
The layered membrane and metal flashing system create redundant protection against driving rain and ice-damming that can occur during late-winter thaws in the GTA. Proper lap sequencing and the extended ice-and-water barrier give the skylight a robust defence well beyond the previous installation.
Durability and energy considerations
The double-glazed, low-E skylight reduces heat loss compared with the old unit and helps limit interior condensation. Pressure-treated curb, corrosion-resistant aluminium flashings and self-adhered membrane were selected to ensure a long service life in Burlington’s humid summers and cold winters.
Documentation and homeowner assurance
We provided a project folder with photos of the removed materials, the repair process and the installed details, plus material data sheets and manufacturer warranty information. The homeowner received clear maintenance recommendations and an outline of the expected performance to support resale in the Halton region or nearby Oakville and Hamilton.
Questions homeowners ask about skylights and flashing
How long does a skylight replacement and flashing rebuild usually take?
For a single skylight on a two-storey home, typical field work is two to three days depending on access and repairs discovered under the frame. If sheathing replacement or extended flashing work is required, allow an additional day for curing and inspections.
Will the work create a lot of disruption inside the house?
Disruption is limited when the work is planned carefully: most of the activity happens on the roof with small interior touch-ups afterward. We use dust control when accessing the ceiling opening and coordinate with homeowners in Burlington to keep interior disruption to a minimum.
How do I know when a flashing rebuild is necessary?
Signs include recurring leaks after storms, staining or soft spots in ceiling drywall, deteriorated or poorly lapped flashings, and an older skylight with failed seals. Given Burlington’s seasonal freeze–thaw cycles and proximity to Lake Ontario, early inspection is prudent if you notice any of these issues.