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Canada’s leading skylight
manufacturer since 1955

We are proud of our history as a Canadian manufacturer based in Burnaby and Mississauga, building outstanding skylight products for the Canadian, North American, and global market. Skylights our customers can rely on, designed to withstand the extremes of the Canadian climate.

Over the decades Columbia has grown and evolved to keep up with the latest technology. New leadership has taken the reins – introducing new products, acquiring complementary companies, adopting new technology, manufacturing processes, parts and materials, and becoming the distributor of FAKRO skylights, roof windows and flat roof skylights.
  • Columbia’s mission is to build a skylight that is designed to withstand the demands of the harsh Canadian climate.
  • To produce the most energy efficient, technologically advanced skylight possible.
  • Supplying long lasting skylights to Canadian homeowners that deliver the benefits of natural light – filling homes with warmth, vibrancy and improved livability.
  • Columbia Skylights grace over a million Canadian homes.
Len Corcoran Columbia Skylights Founder
1955

Where It All Began

Len Corcoran realized his dream, merging Northwestern Supply Company and Norwesco to form Columbia Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Len’s passion for the business and his vision to produce outstanding high quality Canadian made skylights, led to significant growth over the next decade.

Columbia Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was incorporated in 1955.

Columbia Skylights Williams Street Office
1961

A time of Expansion

  • Columbia expanded into the manufacturing and distribution of many products including residential windows, sun shading systems, anodizing, and residential and commercial skylights.
Columbia Skylight Specialties Logo
1965

The company evolves

  • A new logo was developed showcasing Columbia’s focus on skylight manufacturing.
  • The logo introduced a new vision, speaking to Columbia’s goal to serve all of North America.
Ken Corcoran New Ceo
1978

A change of leadership

  • Ken Corcoran takes over the leadership of Columbia, upon the passing of his father, Len.
  • Implementing a vision to focus on the manufacturing of high performance skylights and glazing products.
  • Ken led the company through a time of exceptional growth, securing Columbia as the preeminent skylight manufacturer in Canada.
1982 Energy Star Logo
1982

An updated look

  • Columbia Manufacturing Co. Ltd. introduced a new corporate identity and logo.
  • An updated version of the original that expressed the stability and strength the company had established by the 1980’s.
Mike Williams
1984

A new leader, a new era

  • Michael Williams joins the company in 1984 and has been the sole shareholder of Columbia since 1993.
  • Michael has grown Columbia since taking the helm, acquiring companies that expanded Columbia’s market and added to the product offering.
  • Improving the products was a passion for Mike, introducing new manufacturing techniques, materials, and energy efficient double and triple glazing.
Automated Thermoforming Machinery
1986

new product lines & Automated Thermoforming machinery

  • New high speed thermoforming capable of producing multiple domes in one cycle with masking.
  • Introduced thermally superior vinyl based framed skylights: VCM – vinyl curb mount and VSF – vinyl self flashing product lines.
Cameo Skylight Logo
1991

Growth through acquisition

  • Columbia acquired the Cameo skylight division from Glassaire Industries, Langley British Columbia.
  • Adding new markets, customers, products, and expertise.
Princess Skylights Logo
1992

Exciting times – Columbia continues to grow

  • With the acquisition of Princess Skylights in Toronto, Ontario Columbia was able to expand our national market share.
  • Strengthen our market presence across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
Introduced Commercial Skylights
1995

Introduction of thermally broken aluminum skylight for commercial market

  • Industry leading product feature positive drainage with sloped condensation channel.
  • Available in acrylic and polycarbonate dome and pyramid.

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Columbia New Head Office Timeline
1998

Move into State-of-The-Art Purpose Built Manufacturing Plant

  • Columbia builds state of the art 75,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Burnaby, BC.
  • The waterfront headquarters allowed Columbia to supply the entire Canadian market while increasing manufacturing efficiency, adding innovative new processes and reaching new levels of performance and quality.
Five Decades Of Quality
2005

5 decades of quality

  • Columbia celebrated its 50th anniversary as the leading skylight manufacturer in Canada. Columbia’s products are sold throughout North America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
  • Columbia has proven that a skylight built to handle the extreme Canadian climate can perform globally.
First Canadian Triple Glazed Skylight
2006

The first triple glazed Canadian skylight

  • Columbia continues to pursue innovation and the use of the latest technology.
  • Recognizing increasing consumer awareness of sustainability and energy efficiency, Columbia introduced triple glazing on all models, fixed, venting and custom sizes.

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Sun Tubes Introduction
2007

Introduction of Rigid & Flexible Sun Tubes

  • Columbia offers a full range of angle and flat base design in four sizes.
  • Expanding the Columbia product line and helping customers bring natural light to smaller spaces in their home.

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ENERGY STAR Lg Logo
2008

ENERGY STAR® Canada

  • Columbia skylight product lines are certified for ENERGY STAR® program in Canada.
  • All skylights, fixed or venting, standard or custom sized are available with ENERGY STAR double or triple glazing.

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Colour Matching Frames Timeline
2010

New line of architectural colour frames for all skylight product lines

  • Extended colour frame offering from one to seven colours, plus custom anodizing, and unlimited custom colour matching.

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Slimline Skylights Timeline
2017

Servicing the large eastern commercial market

  • Acquisition of Slimlite skylights serving eastern Canada since 1965.
  • Based on Slimlite’s outstanding reputation the brand continued as a division of Columbia.
  • Slimlite specializes in high performance industrial grade skylights intended for commercial and residential buildings.

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Fakro Room Balcony Timeline
2020

European quality and innovation

  • Columbia is proud to become the exclusive Canadian distributor of FAKRO premium European skylights, roof windows, and flat roof skylights. FAKRO’s products are distributed in over 50 countries.
  • FAKRO allows Columbia to supply a new level of quality and innovation to the Canadian market – Smart Home integration, a solar powered venting skylight, factory lacquered fine grain solid wood frames, and the first skylight in Canada to offer quadruple glazing.

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Columbia Eastern Office Timeline
2021

Increased commitment to distribution in Eastern Canada

  • Columbia acquires a new larger Mississauga warehouse to service the growing eastern Canada market – Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes.
  • The modern warehouse has improved delivery times by allowing Columbia to stock a larger inventory of all skylights.
Energy Efficient Skylights Timeline
2021

Recognition of our commitment to energy efficiency

  • ENERGY STAR® Canada recognizes Columbia with the Sustained Excellence Award.
  • Columbia has applied decades of market experience and product development to producing the most energy efficient skylight options in Canada.
  • Launch of new energy efficient skylight website to assist North American consumers determine the right skylight for their needs.

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2022 ENERGY STAR High Efficiency Recognition
2022

ENERGY STAR recognizes Columbia Again

  • Columbia receives ENERGY STAR® Special Recognition award.
  • Columbia is the only Canadian skylight manufacturer or distributor to to be recognized by ENERGY STAR® Canada.

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Fvc S Skylight Timeline
2024

FVC-S FAKRO Curb Mount Solar Venting Skylight

  • FAKRO’s new solar powered venting curb mount skylight featuring stylish infinity glass design and Z-Wave Smart Home capability.
  • FAKRO’s first Canadian curb mount product.

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Canada’s leading skylight manufacturer since 1955

Columbia celebrates over six decades of serving the Canadian marketplace, and our products have withstood the test of time in one of the world’s harshest climates. Columbia skylights are made in Canada by Canadians to the highest quality, incorporating the latest material and technology that allow them to withstand the harsh Canadian climate.
  • Columbia has become an industry leader based on our vision of quality, durability and energy efficiency, and customer service. We understand that our products have to serve our customers for decades to come and build them to last no matter what the Canadian climate can throw at them.
  • Columbia is excited by what the future holds and looks forward to many more decades bringing the benefits of natural light into thousands more Canadian homes and businesses.
  • Columbia Skylights – built Canadian tough.

 

Columbia Skylights Team Gallery

 

THE COLUMBIA STORY