Velux windows, or anyone else?

[Tony Lockhart]

We’ve a Velux window in the roof above the hallway. It’s not easy to get to, and so has started causing problems. Anyway, my wife’s aunt has some gorgeous new Velux windows in her extension that are rain sensitive and have remote controls. Before we take the plunge, are there any other makes to consider, or are they still the best?

 

[blossomchris]

Velux work. Uprated ours ( ground floor) with new sealed units and fitted solar operated blinds, work a treat. Will upgrade the loft ones next year.
Installed here 30 years ago, little bit of tickling maintenance, quality product.

 

[hifinutt]

Our velux are 20 years old and still going strong ...what more can you say

 

[Tony Lockhart]

Thank you.

They’ve even been replying to our online questions on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[Mike Reed]

Like Hoover means vacuum cleaners, Velux means roof windows. The largest one (fire escape size?) fitted to my loft 18 years ago. Well made and still perfect. Do they really have competitors or are just a reliable monopoly? This is my third Velux (3 houses).

 

[matt j]

Are they still wooden frames? The one in the loft at my Mum's lost all its finish, whatever it was, due to UV, it flaked off and then the wood got damp. I had to sand it back and treat it t stop it going completely. It doesn't look great but it was cheaper than letting it rot and having to replace it.

I also had to DIY a new foam gasket that seals it when shut as that rotted away as well.

 

[MichaelC]

All I can say is we had velux windows installed as part of the work last year. They are top notch.

 

[Chops54]

I had a Velux window installed in our loft thirty years ago. It's just started to rot in one corner so it's going to get replaced later this year with a UPVC unit. I'll be fitting another Velux of course. There are other makes available but I've been more than happy with this one. You don't say loft window, you say Velux

 

[Tony Lockhart]

You don't say loft window, you say Velux

Or skylight

 

[Chops54]

I don't have a skylight Tony, just a humble loft Im afraid.

 

[tonerei]

Fakro is a good quality often lower cost alternative. But velux have the monopoly and definitely the market leader.

 

[Suffolk Tony]

You always get good service from Velux, & you can still get the fixing kits on really old Velux windows. We've a couple in our kitchen at home, plus three in our holiday home in the Lake District. We did have a leaking issue with a couple of ones in the latter place (it does tend to be a bit wet there...) but that was due to not being properly installed in the first place, and being installed on a roof with insufficient pitch. A local roofer, who was Velux registered, soon sorted them out.

 

[chartz]

I had 8 Velux windows installed 25 years ago on the roof. You can still get the original parts, with even the foam bands being readily available at the local DIY store - albeit at a premium price.
Danes are the best.

 

[Kirk]

Installed 10 years ago. No problems. Highly recommended.

 

[Mike Reed]

You don't say loft window, you say Velux

Or skylight

I don't have a skylight Tony, just a humble loft I'm afraid.

Had to look up 'skylight' after above comment and it simply refers to a window in a roof at the same incline, so whether a loft, attic or garret it's still a Velux/skylight/roof window/whatever.

I think mine either opens upwards until the window is horizontal (40 degree slope????) or I can jiggery poke it to revolve around a central pivot (for ease of cleaning). I only use the former setting as I'm rarely in the loft, but it's all all clever stuff. Think a good marketing slogan would be ' Velux- a pane in the roof', but I guess that could be construed as somewhat ambiguous. The alternative of 'Velux - a paneless solution' wouldn't hold water, i.m.o.

 

[CHE]

Lots of Velux windows here. Some had lost some of the finish and needed sanding down as noted above, but that's due to condensation effects.

Have used their manual blinds which are expensive and other makes fit at a fraction of the price.

When I needed a remote operating blind I went with Velux again. However it was faulty but Velux quickly sent a guy out who replaced it with a solar item FoC - he also upgraded the remote FoC as well.

So customer service in my experience is exemplary, the windows themselves are superb but I would get manual blinds from elsewhere.

CHE

 

[Ponty]

Installed half a dozen of the conservation style Velux over 10 years ago. Still perfect.

 

[Nero]

We have four big and three small Fakros in the roof. No problems at all, and you can get a wide range of accessories for them (blinds, openers, etc)

 

[tonerei]

We have four big and three small Fakros in the roof. No problems at all, and you can get a wide range of accessories for them (blinds, openers, etc)

Same here I found that the escape windows and the blackout blinds were better value than Velux. U Values are also better with Fakro. From my experience Velux is fine if you are going for the pine coloured standard builder sizes that are bought by builders providers in their thousands. Once you want something a bit bigger or specialised has to be Fakro for me anyhow

 

[matt j]

with even the foam bands being readily available at the local DIY store - albeit at a premium price.

I bought a roll of self adhesive foam door draught excluder for about 3 quid, cut to length and works a treat. The roll will probably last longer than the Velux.