A skylight revolution

By Jesse Sanchez. 

With high-tech materials, all-season installation and sustainability at its core, VELUX Modular Skylights are raising the roof, literally. 

As the demand for smarter, greener buildings intensifies, contractors are discovering that skylights aren’t just cosmetic upgrades, they’re strategic assets. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth explored this emerging frontier with Joan Schaefer of VELUX Commercial, uncovering the advanced features and long-term value of VELUX Modular Skylights (VMS). 

Joan emphasizes that VMS isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about performance, durability and next-level functionality. Unlike traditional skylight systems that rely heavily on on-site construction and sealants, VMS units come factory-assembled, with built-in intelligence and a streamlined installation process. “This particular system allows you to do the installation in a much larger window than you would be able to traditionally,” Joan explains. “It’s a dry system. It doesn’t require sealants.” 

Beyond convenience, VMS delivers standout performance under extreme conditions, whether it's a snowy install in New Brunswick or a sub-zero project in Bozeman, Montana. The structural system, built from pultruded fiberglass, is engineered for thermal stability and energy efficiency. As Joan explains, “It allows for use in extreme conditions, whether you're looking at a hot climate and being able to have passive ventilation or if you're looking at an extremely cold climate and still being able to install.” 

The conversation also explored light control options such as integrated blinds, a highly desirable feature for schools and commercial spaces with changing lighting needs. “There’s the option of integral blinds in this system and it can even be added later,” Joan notes. That post-install flexibility is rare in commercial skylight systems and helps contractors position themselves for ongoing client engagement. 

Contractors looking to diversify, stay competitive and meet client expectations around sustainability have a clear opportunity. As Joan says, “This isn’t just something that you get in a spec, this is something you can bring to the forefront and talk to your building owners about.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn how VMS is shaping the future of roofing, from energy codes to interior transformation!