Anyone who has a home with one too many dark corners understands the importance of lighting. A fantastic way to bring more light into your property is with a roof window – and they’re not as hard to install as you might think!
Roof windows allow natural light to flood into your home, transforming once dark and dingy areas like converted lofts and stairwells into bright and airy spaces. What’s more, they can help to add value to your home, making them a smart investment.
In this article, we’ll be covering:
- How much Velux windows cost
- What affects the cost of Velux windows
- How to save money on Velux windows
- How to know if Velux windows are the right choice for your home
- How to find and hire a professional to install Velux windows for you
To shine some natural light back into the darker areas of your home, keep reading to discover the most cost-effective routes to do just that.
How Much Do Velux Windows Cost?
Depending on the size of the window and your choice of configuration, your prices will differ. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common sizes and their estimated costs.
WINDOW SIZE | ESTIMATED COST | LABOUR COSTS | TIME REQUIRED | TOTAL ESTIMATED COST | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Between 55 x 70 cm and 55 x 118 cm | £377 to £410 | £300 to £400 per day | 1 day | £677 to £777 | |
Between 78 x 62 cm and 78 x 160 cm | £565 to £606 | £300 to £400 per day | 1 day | £865 to £965 | |
Between 94 x 55 cm and 94 x 160 cm | £597 to £642 | £300 to £400 per day | 1 day | £897 to £997 | |
Between 134 x 98 cm and 134 x 160 cm | £609 to £823 | £300 to £400 per day | 1 day | £909 to £1,090 |
Taking a Velux window sized between 55 x 70 cm and 55 x 118 cm with standard configurations – centre pivot, manual control, white paint internal finish, comfort glazing, EDW tile flashing, Velux ACTIVE disables – the estimated cost will be between £377 to £410.
Moving up the size scale, a Velux window between 78 x 62 cm and 78 x 160 cm with the same standard finishings will range from £565 to £606.
If we look at the slightly larger size of Velux window of between 94 x 55 cm and 94 x 160 cm, the estimated cost with original fixtures will be between £597 to £642.
The largest Velux window in our selection are the 134 x 98 cm and 134 x 160 cm windows, costing around £609 to £823.
On top of all these base prices, you’ll need to add on labour costs. Each of the window sizes mentioned above will take about a day to fit, which will equate to around £300 to £400 per day.
This will give us the final costings of:
- 55 x 70 cm and 55 x 118 cm – £677 to £777
- 78 x 62 cm and 78 x 160 cm – £865 to £965
- 94 x 55 cm and 94 x 160 cm – £897 to £997
- 134 x 98 cm and 134 x 160 cm – £909 to £1,090
Of course, there are more premium options for you to choose from which will raise your overall supply cost. Some Velux windows will be available in the top hung operating level, and can be installed with either electric or solar-powered controls.
While standard white paint is a general finish for the internal window, you can opt for white polyurethane or a pine finish for a higher charge. Similarly, if you want to amplify your glazing, you can opt for glass with noise reduction or extra security if those features are of high priority to you.
Velux ACTIVE will further bump up prices, offering smartphone-operated functionalities, as well as an automatic sensor to control your indoor temperature. Finally, your choice of flashing can impact your price too, with EDL slate flashing or EDN recessed slate flashing being the most expensive options.
When installing a skylight, roof timbers will need to be cut and you might need some extra structural support. A small amount of plastering will also be required after the work is completed to ensure seamless integration of the new window with your home.
Are you ready to have new Velux windows installed? HouseholdQuotes can help you find the right Velux window installer.
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What Affects the Cost of Adding Velux Windows?
There are several factors you need to be aware of when having a window installed or replaced; all of which can bump up the price. Here are the main ones to watch out for.
The Number and Size of Windows You Need
We hardly need to say that with more windows comes a higher price – and that bigger roof windows will command a bigger price.
There are a variety of styles and designs of windows available, all with different mechanisms and features to best suit your home.
How the Windows Are Controlled
There’s more than one way to open and close a Velux window, starting with the most basic and ranging to the most advanced.
Manual
A manual option is as you’d expect: manual. You operate the window by lifting the top bar to unlock and then pulling down to swing the window open.
This is traditionally the cheapest way to control a Velux window.
Electric
Electric roof windows take the hassle out of opening a window by being operated by a remote control wall-mounted panel instead.
Both Velux’s solar-powered and electric windows both come with a rain sensor which automatically closes the window for you when it detects rain on the surface.
This is a more premium feature, which will command a higher price point but can also add to the feeling of luxury at home which is good for you and your potential house buyers if you come to sell.
Solar-powered
The solar-powered Velux window is powered by the sun which charges a high-performance battery that has the power to open and close the window.
This is the most premium option of Velux window operation.
Velux ACTIVE
This is a smart system that opens and closes your Velux blinds and opens/closes the windows in response to changing temperatures inside your home and changing weather conditions.
This costs £180 and requires you to have either electric or solar-powered Velux windows.
Your Choice of Glazing
While double glazing will be included as standard, if you’re wanting extra protection from the elements or aim to trap in as much heat in your home as possible, then you might want to opt for triple glazing.
This commonly adds on an extra £100 to £250 per window, depending on the size.
If we then consider the cost of flashings, these will likely add another £100 to £120 per window, depending on whether you choose to tile or slate your roof.
Scaffolding and Other Maintenance Materials
It’s unlikely you’ll need to pay for this if you’re having a simple window installed, but if access is hard and scaffolding is required, particularly on the outside of a building, costs can quickly spiral.
Vapour barriers will be required to prevent condensation on all new windows, and if you’re replacing a Velux light and this is absent, it will need to be installed. In addition, features like electric openers, security glass, opening rods and additional blinds or shutters will all push the overall cost up.
Making Good and Decorating
An unfortunate truth of any home renovation project is that the job doesn’t end once the window has been installed – you’ll then need to make good and redecorate areas that have been affected by the project.
Depending on the extent of work in your home, the needs for this will vary from just simply re-painting some areas to others requiring re-plastering. To put these extras into perspective, painters and decorators commonly charge between £15 and £22 per hour or £120 to £176 per day, plus materials.
How Can I Save Money on Velux Windows?
Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of Velux window installation. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple Velux window installers near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget.
Click the button below to get started:
Luckily, there are ways to save money too. Here are the best ways to trim your costs down on your window project.
Instead of buying Velux-branded windows, you could opt for a cheaper alternative. There are plenty of alternatives that will do the same operation as a Velux window but without quite as high a price point.
Simply search around for good look-a-like options to give all the benefits of a Velux window, just without the high price point.
If you have an existing Velux window and it’s not working how it used to, you might be able to repair your window instead of completely replacing it; a project that will cost you a lot less.
If you’re lucky, your window may also be within a warranty period which can help to reduce costs even further. It’s always best to seek out this route first before undergoing any major renovation work to save you money during your project period.
If you’re undergoing a full conversion or having a new roof fitted, it pays you to be savvy in your choices early on in the process. It’s far cheaper and easier to have your roof designed with Velux windows in mind and added at that stage than it is to have a regular roof constructed, and then de-constructed a few months later to add in a window that was an afterthought.
Where possible, consider what you will want from your home for years to come, and then build with this in mind.
Instead of enlisting the help of painting and decorating professionals, you may be willing to get the job done yourself. This will cut a considerable chunk off your project’s fee, and leave you with either spare money or extra funds to use to upgrade your window design or type.
You could even rope in some willing friends to help you out to cut the time down, too!
Are Velux Windows the Right Choice for My Home?
If you’re unsure if Velux windows are the right choice for your home, let’s take some time to go through their advantages and disadvantages to hopefully cement a decision in your mind.
ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
---|---|
Increased light in your property, transforming dark areas | Bad installation can lead to damp problems |
Rejuvinating capabilities to modernise older homes | User error – leaving windows open during rain will cause leaks |
Energy-saving properties such as solar-powering | Uncontrolled heat into your home if installed at the wrong angle |
Velux ACTIVE can give you automatic operation without the need for your intervention | Can be unsuitable for all types of roofs, leading to structural issues if not realised |
Value-adding, smart investment | Can be expensive for the most modern options and features |
Advantages of Velux Windows
Perhaps the most obvious positive is the increase in light into your property. Roof windows can bring light into even the darkest spots in your home, making dingy corners seem bright and inviting.
Making simple changes like these can breathe life back into unloved spaces, perhaps even negating the reason for you to move out of your home and helping you to fall back in love with it.
Depending on the type of Velux window you choose, you can benefit from energy-saving positives. If you opt for a window with solar power, you can charge the battery using the power from the sun, which can save on energy costs.
What’s more, the Velux ACTIVE opens and closes based on climate-controlled functions, opening and closing the window based on temperature conditions both inside and outside, and even closing the window for you automatically if it starts raining outside.
Velux windows are a welcome sight in any home and add to a contemporary feel. They will also add value to your property, so when you come to sell your home, you will be able to reap the rewards in your property’s value.
Disadvantages of Velux Windows
The main drawback to Velux windows occurs if you happen to have a rogue trader install your windows, as the possible negative repercussions can be unfortunately far-reaching.
These issues range from uncontrolled heat from windows put into places with too much direct light at angles that don’t negate the glare; to the potential for leaks if the window isn’t properly fitted or installed.
Some roofs can’t accommodate a Velux window, and some less experienced traders might not be able to distinguish that, which can lead to expensive structural problems. In all cases, to negate potential issues, it’s best to find a trader who is reputable and trusted to ensure you have a good experience from start to finish.
What’s Involved in Fitting Velux Windows?
Installing a Velux window isn’t out of the realm of a DIY enthusiast with the right preparation and understanding. The Velux Installers Handbook will take you through each step you’ll need to take during the process – but if you are in any doubt, having a professional fitter in will be your best option.
You must remember that Building Regulations come into play with the installation of roof lights, which can be accessed here. If in doubt, get in touch with your local building planners to understand what this means for you and your project.
You’ll first need to work out what size of window your roof can accommodate, based on the dimensions available on the Velux website. When looking at your flashing kit, you’ll want to look at what you have on your roof already as some will suit different roof slates better than others, with maximum thickness and length of tiles, as well as roof pitch.
- Affix brackets to the window
- Using a wooden frame as a guide, you can place this against the roof to see where you want your window to be, and what implications this means (if it’s near rafters or any important tiles)
- Tiles can then be removed to expose the roof timbers, and then rafters can be removed – this needs to conform to Building Regulations so make sure this is understood and taken into account, as your Velux window will likely not be signed off once fitted if not
- Trimmers are then fixed in place on both interior and exterior sides
- Velux window frame is then put in place and affixed
- Flashing is put in place, and tiles are cut as necessary to fit the new roof layout
- The window can then be slotted into place
How Do I Find and Hire Someone to Install Velux Windows?
Finding the right Velux window installer can be challenging. At HouseholdQuotes, we can connect you to Velux window installers in your area.
Click the button below to tell us more about your project, and we’ll help you find someone quickly and easily:
The best route of finding a suitable trader to install your Velux windows is to see if anyone you know has had any fitted recently and to find out if they’d recommend their traders – because if they do, that’ll save you a considerable amount of time searching for suitable professionals.
Similarly, if someone on your street has had windows installed recently, it’s worth checking in with them to see if they’d recommend their traders or company as this can also help you from inadvertently choosing a rogue trader who might end up being no good in practice.
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
As with any home renovation project, you must ask for a written quote. This saves you from having an awkward end of project exchange where lots of added extras have appeared on your final bill without your prior knowledge.
Seeking out your trader’s experience is one of the first things you should do to see if they have experience of working on similar jobs to yours. Following on from this, finding the trader’s references and any photos or videos of their previous work can be a great way to see if their style of work will be a good match for your wants.
Finally, you should always double-check your trader has the relevant insurance to undertake the work before they get started on your project.
Final Checklist and Conclusion
If you want to bring light into the darkest spots of your home and think Velux windows are the way to go, here’s our final checklist to make sure you have everything taken care of before your project gets underway.
- If you already have Velux windows but they’re broken, see if you can repair them instead of doing a full replacement to save money
- Find out if Velux windows are suitable for your type of property and roof
- Decide what style you want to opt for; be that simple or climate-controlled
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find local Velux window fitters and potentially save money on your Velux window installation
- Be prepared for a little disruption – and then enjoy the extra light in your home!
Use HouseholdQuotes to find local fitters and potentially save money on your Velux windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need Planning Permission To Add Velux Windows?
Adding in skylights is generally classed as permitted development, and does not need planning permission. There are some limitations to this rule, however, and details of these can be found on the planning portal website.
How Long Do Velux Windows Last?
Velux windows are guaranteed for ten years, and electrical blinds or shutters are guaranteed for three years.
How Much Does a Loft Conversion Cost?
A loft conversion can be a great way of adding value to your home while increasing your square footage. The price varies on a multitude of factors, so the best option is to take a look at our dedicated loft conversion cost page here to get an idea that is in line with your plans.
Do Velux Windows Add Value to a Home?
Velux windows add value to a home. Not only because they draw more light into your home, but because of their heat efficiency, too.
With the potential of lowering household heating bills, they are a great draw for house buyers, and they improve the look of your home too, adding a sleek, modern element.
Are Velux Windows Safe With Children?
To safeguard your Velux windows from your children, window restrictors are available to limit the opening of Velux windows, which are usually between £20 to £30 each.
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