Bringing sunshine indoors: The case for skylight retrofits

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Better technology, stronger materials and a focus on occupant wellness are driving a skylight retrofit renaissance. 

In the world of commercial roofing, skylights have long been a source of both promise and challenge, offering great results when done right. Known in decades past for their tendency to leak or deteriorate, skylights were often seen as more trouble than they were worth. But that’s no longer the case, says Candice Clark of VELUX Commercial, who joined Karen Edwards on this Roofing Road Trips® podcast to share how skylight technology has turned a major corner in recent years. 

“Gosh darn it, it’s a different world,” said Candice, who serves as a district sales manager for VELUX’s commercial division, covering vast regions across the U.S. and Canada. With more than two decades in the daylighting industry, she’s seen firsthand how far the technology behind skylights has come. “We have better technology; we have more sound curbs being built,” she said. “It is an amazing story and I hope to share some of that with you.” 

One of the most compelling developments? The rise of the Dynamic Dome, a next-generation unit skylight designed to solve the problems of the past while maximizing light performance, strength and efficiency. Unlike its predecessors, the Dynamic Dome features enhanced optics, improved condensation management and a patented dry seal system, eliminating the need for messy and failure-prone adhesives during installation. 

Candice not only emphasized the cost-saving benefits of daylighting, particularly when it comes to offsetting rising electricity prices, but also its role in improving building health. “We’re designing better buildings, healthier buildings,” she said. “Daylight has a profound impact on several metrics, such as reducing workers’ comp cases and helping with productivity in the workplace.” 

That wellness factor, combined with the engineering behind the Dynamic Dome’s optical design, is helping reposition skylights as strategic assets rather than maintenance liabilities. Candice explained how its shape collects up to 30% more light than traditional domes, while beveled optics capture low-angle light during early mornings and winter months. 

As commercial buildings evolve to meet modern sustainability and wellness demands, skylights are being reimagined not as weak spots but as valuable infrastructure. Candice summed it up best, sharing, “It’s one of the greatest investments you can make in a building to offset increasing electrical costs.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about the Dynamic Dome, skylight retrofits and the engineering behind today’s daylighting systems!