How Do VELUX Commercial Skylights Solve Real-World Project Challenges?

Commercial skylight projects can vary widely depending on the building, roof conditions, and daylighting goals. Looking at how other projects approached those variables can be a useful starting point when planning your own work.

VELUX commercial case studies show how different skylight systems have been used across a range of applications, from skylight replacements to new installations.

Here are five commercial projects that highlight different installation challenges, product solutions, and takeaways for installers.

Case Study: US Ironworks Headquarters

The location: Ohio

The problem:

Two large translucent panel systems, made up of two-tone colored panels that had failed and been replaced over the years, needed a serious upgrade.

The solution:

Two VELUX VMS Ridgelight modular structural systems were installed on site, totaling 94 units. The first Ridgelight consists of 64 fixed modules and two narrower fixed modules, extending nearly 108 feet long and 11 feet across. The second, smaller Ridgelight provides top lighting for interior offices and consists of 30 fixed skylight modules spanning 50 feet by 9 feet.

Installer Takeaway:

Thanks to the flexibility of VELUX standard module sizing, the existing steel curbs and framing could be reused instead of requiring custom-sized framing, simplifying the replacement and reducing additional project costs.

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Case Study: Cornell University

The location: Ithaca, NY

The problem:  

The decades-old skylights on this late-1800s building had become cloudy and discolored, significantly reducing the amount of natural light entering the space. The exterior steel frames had also deteriorated, contributing to water leaks.

The solution:

The VELUX Modular Skylights (VMS) Longlight system replaced the existing skylights. The design featured two 50-foot-long Longlights, each measuring 9 feet wide and consisting of 25 prefabricated modules. The modular design simplified installation while delivering high thermal performance and allowing individual modules to be replaced as needed.

Installer Takeaway:

Prefabricated systems can simplify complex replacement projects by reducing custom fabrication and on-site assembly.

Case Study: YMCA

The location: Atlanta, GA

The problem: 

The project needed lighting that was both energy-efficient and capable of providing high-quality light.

The solution: 

Curb system roof monitors with FCM curb-mounted fixed skylights and white laminated glass. With the roof monitors, daylight enters through the glazing and diffuses as it reflects off the back of the roof monitor, helping create a more balanced and visually comfortable lighting environment below.

Installer Takeaway:

The skylight itself is only one part of the daylighting system. Roof design, glazing, orientation, and placement can all influence how daylight reaches the space below.

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Case Study: Cermak Fresh Market at The Fields

The location: Chicago, IL

The problem: 

Sandwiched between two five-story sections of the building, this ground-level complex already had limited access to sky views. The original skylights were discolored and rusted, with broken seals, poor performance, and outdated hand-crank operation.

The solution: 

Two VELUX Modular Skylight configurations brought natural light back into the space while keeping the project on schedule and on budget. Four existing ridge-style skylights were replaced with VELUX Ridgelights 25–40, while an old single-slope skylight was replaced with a VELUX Longlight.

Installer Takeaway:

Replacement projects often involve working with different opening types and existing conditions. Modular configurations can provide more flexibility when adapting a new skylight system to the existing roof.

Case Study: Baltimore Distribution Center

The location: Baltimore, MD

The problem:

This distribution center, located on the former site of Pennsylvania Steel and Bethlehem Steel, required a single 20-year warranty for the roofing system and skylights. The project also needed roofing, skylight, and lighting systems that could contribute toward LEED Silver certification while staying on a strict schedule.

The solution: 

The project incorporated 276 VELUX Dynamic Domes. Through Logistics Lighting, a national commercial and industrial skylight distributor, the project secured an exclusive 20-year warranty on the Dynamic Dome. Two 10-person crews installed the roof membrane and skylights in 35 days, and the domes now work alongside the automated LED lighting system to provide daylight throughout the day.

Installer Takeaway: 

Large commercial projects often require close coordination between roofing, skylights, lighting, and project schedules. Planning these systems together can help streamline installation while supporting broader building performance goals.

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Find More Ideas for Your Upcoming Commercial Skylight Project

No two commercial skylight installations are exactly alike. Exploring completed projects can show how different products, configurations, and installation approaches have solved real-world daylighting challenges. Browse the full VELUX Commercial case study library for more project examples and installation inspiration.