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Velux vs keylight vs fakro skylights

  • 27-08-2014 9:24pm
    #1
    hexosan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭


    Interested in people's opinions on these good or bad.


Comments

  • #2
    scwazrh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,766 ✭✭✭scwazrh


    Ive fitted all three manufacturers windows and have had no call backs on any.IMO it comes down to quality of fitting not the window.


  • #3
    hexosan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭hexosan


    scwazrh wrote: »
    Ive fitted all three manufacturers windows and have had no call backs on any.IMO it comes down to quality of fitting not the window.

    Thanks appreciate the reply.


  • #4
    BarneyMc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,504 ✭✭✭BarneyMc


    My builder fitted Fakro but not sure if there was any specific reason.


  • #5
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,066 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    i bought my new build with 4 No. Keylite windows (2 front and 2 rear).
    No issues so far touch wood.

    i then added 2 Velux to the single storey extension at the rear a few months later, again no issues, touch wood.

    IMHO, what ever is cheapist for the job you need and in the size you want.


  • #6
    tedimc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 623 ✭✭✭tedimc


    Looking at this choice myself at the moment for 13 roof windows. All in all, Velux seems to be a bit more superior to Fakro, which in turn is better than Keylite.

    I'm looking for a white window, so Velux is a timber window moulded into a pvc coting. Keylite is just painted. not sure about Fakro.

    Costs for me worked out at keylite being 2/3 price of velux. Fakro fell somewhere between the two.


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  • #7
    hexosan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭hexosan


    What makes you say velux is superior. In what way. ??


  • #8
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    No one has mentioned u-value/ heat loss of frame to roof insulation? Is this something you have compared?


  • #9
    hexosan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭hexosan


    BryanF wrote: »
    No one has mentioned u-value/ heat loss of frame to roof insulation? Is this something you have compared?

    In the process of doing just that. Still waiting on the velux quote to come in.


  • #10
    tedimc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 623 ✭✭✭tedimc


    Just from the research I've done:
    They're glazing options seem to be better, more choice and better combination of options - i.e. toughened, with clear coating and double glazing.
    They're new models now have a smaller profile, with far neater handles/mechanisms - 18% more light over older models. This seems to be far neater than the Fakro alternative.
    They're motorised option seems to be far better, with scene selection and a neater remote. They also offer good retrofit options with a solar power based option, which can easily be retrofitted. One remote can be configured to control many windows.
    Better flashing options and insulated fitment collars.
    But the main bit for me was the quality of the finish for the white interior.

    Just to be clearer on the costs I have received, and I've done a lot of searching around as this is a large portion of my budget:
    4 - Non electric 780*1400 - double glazed
    4 - Electric 780*1400 - double glazed
    4 - Non electric 940*1400 - double glazed (2*2 unit)
    1 - Electric 780*980 - triple glazed
    Recessed flashings for all of above.

    Velux: €8024 ex VAT
    Fakro: €6268 ex VAT
    Keylite: €6800 ex VAT

    While no doubt the other options are more than capable, I don't think the difference justifies the risk.


  • #11
    rampantbunny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭rampantbunny


    tedimc wrote: »
    Velux: €8024 ex VAT
    Fakro: €6268 ex VAT
    Keylite: €6800 ex VAT

    Presume you meant Fakro were €6800 and Keylite €6268..


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  • #12
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    tedimc wrote: »
    Just from the research I've done:
    They're glazing options seem to be better, more choice and better combination of options - i.e. toughened, with clear coating and double glazing.
    They're new models now have a smaller profile, with far neater handles/mechanisms - 18% more light over older models. This seems to be far neater than the Fakro alternative.
    They're motorised option seems to be far better, with scene selection and a neater remote. They also offer good retrofit options with a solar power based option, which can easily be retrofitted. One remote can be configured to control many windows.
    Better flashing options and insulated fitment collars.
    But the main bit for me was the quality of the finish for the white interior.

    Just to be clearer on the costs I have received, and I've done a lot of searching around as this is a large portion of my budget:
    4 - Non electric 780*1400 - double glazed
    4 - Electric 780*1400 - double glazed
    4 - Non electric 940*1400 - double glazed (2*2 unit)
    1 - Electric 780*980 - triple glazed
    Recessed flashings for all of above.

    Velux: €8024 ex VAT
    Fakro: €6268 ex VAT
    Keylite: €6800 ex VAT

    While no doubt the other options are more than capable, I don't think the difference justifies the risk.
    There is not enough detail to compare


  • #13
    tedimc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 623 ✭✭✭tedimc


    No - Fakro worked out cheapest of all 3, was surprised at that myself!!


  • #14
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    BryanF wrote: »
    No one has mentioned u-value/ heat loss of frame to roof insulation? Is this something you have compared?
    BryanF wrote: »
    There is not enough detail to compare
    tedimc wrote: »
    No - Fakro worked out cheapest of all 3, was surprised at that myself!!

    Apples & oranges


  • #15
    tedimc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 623 ✭✭✭tedimc


    Yes, quite true BryanF.

    Looking at the U-Values of the bog standard white windows (double glazed) 780*1400 which I'm interested in, there doesn't appear to be much difference - so from that perspective, there is little to justify the difference.

    Velux (M08): 1.3 W/m2K
    Fakro (07): 1.4 W/m2K
    Keylite (WFCP06T): 1.4 W/m2K


  • #16
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,818 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    tedimc wrote: »
    Yes, quite true BryanF.

    Looking at the U-Values of the bog standard white windows (double glazed) 780*1400 which I'm interested in, there doesn't appear to be much difference - so from that perspective, there is little to justify the difference.

    Velux (M08): 1.3 W/m2K
    Fakro (07): 1.4 W/m2K
    Keylite (WFCP06T): 1.4 W/m2K

    All of these window types are rubbish for thermal and airtightness. It's just a limit of physics and maintaining the opening mechanisms to be useful.

    Otherwise, fit something else (fixed window), or a dormer.


    Here's a thermal image showing air infiltration (as dark area) on a house under blower test.

    320298.png

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  • #17
    tedimc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 623 ✭✭✭tedimc


    To be fair - I think they have all got a lot better lately with the introduction of vapour collars and insulated fitments. Of course, these are all optional extras with a cost.


  • #18
    Wegian
    Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭Wegian


    Looking for any recent experiences with roof lights

    How are the Keylight performing under the test of time?
    Has the Keylight design and build quality improved in the interim.

    Context: we will be looking to source the following:
    - 2 in the Kitchen area at the back - triple glazed
    - 2 in the sunroom at the side - triple glazed
    - 1 in the roof - triple glazed
    - 1 in the garage - best value one as it is just to let in light really
    Provisional BER has a requirement for a U-Value of 1.2 whereas Keylite advertise a thriple glazed U-Value of 0.6 which they say is comparable to Velux

    Thoughts?


  • #19
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,066 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Have my keylite and Velux installed over 10 years now. All 6 the same as the day they went in. (Touch wood).


  • #20
    Dudda
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,541 ✭✭✭Dudda


    Wegian wrote: »
    Looking for any recent experiences with roof lights

    How are the Keylight performing under the test of time?
    Has the Keylight design and build quality improved in the interim.

    Context: we will be looking to source the following:
    - 2 in the Kitchen area at the back - triple glazed
    - 2 in the sunroom at the side - triple glazed
    - 1 in the roof - triple glazed
    - 1 in the garage - best value one as it is just to let in light really
    Provisional BER has a requirement for a U-Value of 1.2 whereas Keylite advertise a thriple glazed U-Value of 0.6 which they say is comparable to Velux

    Thoughts?

    I think the difference between these on a domestic scale isn't much. They all have different options and sizes with different U values, glazing, internal finishes etc. Prices depend on the u-value and glazing you are looking for. Sometimes Keylite is the cheapest and at other times Velux is. The price for all increases a lot when you get below a U-value of 1.0. Keylite might be slighly easier to fit but over 10 years what difference does that make?

    Velux do the timber finish, timber finish painted white and the white pvc so be careful not to compare the painted white to a pvc white price or similar of another product.

    The only difference I find is if your going electric where the Velux is easier. The actuators are integrated and control panels better from a compatibility view. Had loads of trouble with the control panels for Keylite rooflights initially as Keylight don't supply them but once they were found and up and running didn't have a problem.


  • #21
    air
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,834 ✭✭✭air


    Keylites come with a great thermal collar now as standard, it's build into the frame and retained by tape. You pull tabs after installation that tear the tape and release the expanding foam seal. Far superior to the previous thermal collars that they used to offer and which are still in use by Velux as far as I'm aware.


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