ProDave Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 As the title says, I am looking to buy a roof window for my plant room, size 780mm wide 980mm high. Ideally I want triple glazed and no trickle ventilator. I haven't found any of the on line suppliers listing 3G roof windows, so thought before wasting more time I would ask the forum for anyone who has bought one and knows a good supplier. It will probably be Fakro or Velux and if similar price I would choose Fakro to get the handle at the bottom. But also worth discussing is how much premium is it worth paying in the real world to get triple glazing and no trickle ventilator? The standard 2G Fakro is being advertised by the loft shop as a U value of 1.3 and it's on offer for £169 there at the moment. and do I really need one without a trickle ventilator? the Velux roof windows in our present house, when the ventilator is shut it does seem to be a pretty air tight seal, so is that an expensive option not really worth bothering with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Sterling Build list them - have a whole load last time I looked but not sure you can specify no trickle vent ..?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragg987 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I used Fakro 3G windows in my build, some factors in my consideration: my project manager had a poor experience with air tightness on Velux, This was a major consideration we were aiming for PH standard 3G for comfort over 2G rather than out-and-out energy savings - inner pane should be warmer lower handle meant we would be able to avoid electric operation I purchased 6 windows from a continental supplier at about 50% of UK price delivered (Euro was weaker than today, mind). I can whisper supplier PM me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey_1980 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 we have 7 of the Velux solar integra 3g windows in or build. http://www.velux.ie/products/roof-windows/integra We had no issues with the MBC air tightness and the integra controller is great to use, operating all windows/blinds and being able to set timers for blinds window openers is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Looking at Sterling build, they have (in the size I want, 3G) Fakro £301.50 Velux £321.60 Roto £446 ECO+ £221.73 Anyone know anything about the ECO+ roof windows, it seems very cheap. This one https://www.sterlingbuild.co.uk/product/ECO-centre-pivot-pine-triple-glazed/eco-centre-pivot-pine-triple-glazed-roof-windows-78x98cm They offer that with free delivery and specifically mention the Scottish Highlands are included in that free delivery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worldwidewebs Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 5 hours ago, Mikey_1980 said: we have 7 of the Velux solar integra 3g windows in or build. http://www.velux.ie/products/roof-windows/integra We had no issues with the MBC air tightness and the integra controller is great to use, operating all windows/blinds and being able to set timers for blinds window openers is great. That's good to know as I've selected an Integra window in our MBC build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 8 hours ago, ProDave said: Looking at Sterling build, they have (in the size I want, 3G) Fakro £301.50 Velux £321.60 Roto £446 ECO+ £221.73 Anyone know anything about the ECO+ roof windows, it seems very cheap. This one https://www.sterlingbuild.co.uk/product/ECO-centre-pivot-pine-triple-glazed/eco-centre-pivot-pine-triple-glazed-roof-windows-78x98cm They offer that with free delivery and specifically mention the Scottish Highlands are included in that free delivery. Nope but I've looked at them too at that price ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Perhaps oddly, the cheapest source for our Fakro roof windows was our local Travis Perkins (who we had a pretty good relationship with at the time). Also, Fakro's sales department were very helpful - might be worth a call to them to ask about distributors and who's likely to do them for the best price in your area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitpipe Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 We bought our Velux integras (and standard Velux windows) from MyRoofWindow.co.uk - they're based in Netherlands and were very good value - would need to see if that's still the case with the lower exchange rate. They price in pounds as standard and Euros as an option (you can save a few quid if you use your own exchange service). Very fast delivery. We went for the electric Inetgra option vs solar, should not be an issue getting power to them for a new build. We also got external electric blinds to minimise solar gain which work off the same controller. Finally we got the insulated fixing kit - even though the roofer disposed of the insulated flashing, but the collar is the most important piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey_1980 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 We opted for the solar version of the integra, I don't even think the electric option was available when we ordered. Ours came from Roofing Superstore, they were the cheapest and the only one who we spoke to who said thet we could get them colour matched to our windows, RAL7016 externally and white painted wood internally. I was a littely worried as everyone else said velux couldn't do this, but they did turn up as ordered and we are very pleased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share Posted July 23, 2016 I have collected prices and U values for a lot of different roof windows now, so thought it was worth tabulating the information. This is all for size 780 by 980 roof windows, centre pivot, wood finish internally. No special options like anti noise etc. Dakeu 2G U=1.4 £110 Rooflight 2G U=1.5 £133 Fakro 2G U=1.2 £186 Velux 2G U=1.3 £201 Eco+ 3G U=1.0 £221 Roto 2G U=1.2 £222 Facro 3G U=0.97 £301 Velux 3G U=1.0 £321 Facro 4G U=0.58 £1044 All prices ex VAT and delivery I still think the Eco+ 3G at £221 looks a good bet so I am likely to buy one and see. If it does turn out to be good, I have another two to buy later on. The last one, the Facro 4G at over a grand, shows to me a rather high cost for a small benefit that would have a stupidly long payback time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundtuit Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Thanks for this. I'm in the market for 4 roof windows so will be interested in how you get on with the Eco+. Did you manage to find any without vents? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 24, 2016 Author Share Posted July 24, 2016 Facro do a 2G "vent free" roof window for £250 with a U value of 1.2 I believe their 3G and the eye wateringly expensive 4G one are available without vents The vent issue does not concern me as much, based on present experience with a basic 2G velux roof window in the present house, when it's shut, it's pretty well sealed. I will report back in due course about how well sealed the "closed" vent is on the Eco+ this one is going in the "plant room (/ workshop) and won't be ventilated by the mvhr so arguably it should have a trickle vent anyway? My target was a U value of 1 or less and tripple glazed. It's only a small window, and if you work out the heat loss of a window with a U value of 1.0 and compare it to a slightly better one, you realise that paying a lot more for only a slightly better window is not worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlewhouse Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Is it not possible just to block the venting anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Okay I have ordered my Eco+ roof window. I ordered the standard pine finish. Sterling build have just contacte me to say the pine one is 3-4 weeks delivery. They can "upgrade" me at no cost should I wish to the UPVC version that they have in stock and is usually a few £ more. Would you wait for the pine finish. or choose UPVC? I have to say I am first fixing a house this week that has UPVC velux windows and frankly I don't like them, I would have the more traditional wooden finish any day. but are the UPVC ones any better performing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 I have to make a decision in the morning so any opinion would help me. Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney12 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) I was trying not to be negative so resisted replying. But as you pressed me...... I don't like them. But, it's purely down to asthetics. Our barn conversion (which we now rent) has the pine units and 14 years on they still look as good as they day they were installed even in the bathrooms. Edit: I should add I'm not a fan of uPVC Windows full stop. Edited July 26, 2016 by Barney12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 They apparently are slightly more thermally efficient - not much but it depends which ones you get. uPVC has come a long way but it really is horses for courses. If its only a plant room does it matter..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney12 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I'd forgotten its for a plant room. Asthetics do rather move to the bottom of the list then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitpipe Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 We have UPVC in the basement, alu clad external / painted spruce internal above ground - externally it looks the same and as they are high level, the white interior is not that noticeable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiking Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 My wife made me pay extra for the velux with white internals, Grrrr... If the ceiling is white (?) it shouldn't look bad. Just take the upvc, fit it see how you like it and decide for the more visible windows later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 I think there are a few points. I have always associated UPVC with "cheap" double glazing. I have only ever had roof windows with a "pine" finish inside, it's what I "expect" of a roof window. The Velux UPVC ones I saw today did not particularly impress me, I think I was left with the impression "is that it?" Yes this window is "only" for the plant room, but it is also the tester, and if it's any good I will get the same for the en-suite and the small bedroom. If it turns out to be rubbish, I will get a different make for the more important rooms. The UW values are the same for both, so if the UPVC frame is more thermally efficient, it's only by a tiny amount. I think I am minded to wait for the pine one, unless someone can give me a good reason to choose the UPVC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidersx200 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 You seem to have a strong preference for the timber window Dave, so it would seem the short wait will be easier to swallow than potentially spending the rest of your days kicking yourself every time you walk past a PVC one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiking Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Seems like it, there's no decision to be made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 It's here, it arrived today. First impressions are it's reasonably well made. The trickle ventilator is an opening strip across the whole top of the window. I suspect when it's closed it's not a brilliant seal. Fitting the window itself looks straightforward. The flashing kit looks very complicated, however I am not convinced I have the right flashing kit so I'm discussing that with the supplier at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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