I have three velux skylights, two ten years old and one five years old. Perfect. No leaks, no discoloration. Used their flashing kits. Reroofed the house and left the ten year old units in without incident.
Guy around the corner had (emphasis on had) two of those plastic domed units. Removed them after about eight years (along with several roof sheathing panels that had rotted from the leakage).
nuff said.
I live in a condo with two 2x4 skylights. My sloped roof is being replaced soon, and I'm given a choice of either flat or dome. The cost is almost the same, with the domed ones slightly less expensive.
The dome is said to be manufactured by Thermo-Vu, which was taken over by Velux last January. The flat is made by Velux itself.
The main benefits with going with bubble plastic:
1) I'm led to believe that the inner frame is already colored white, so I would not need to arrange to have the association come inside the condo to paint the inner frames (which are well out of my reach even with my ladder).2) Since these skylights are in bathrooms, I'm concerned about mold and mildew due to condensation when taking showers (which happens even with the fan running). I'm led to belive that these skylights do NOT have a wooden frame, so there would be no worry about moisture from shower condensation damaging the wooden frame.
3) supposedly domed units are quieter when it rains and these bathrooms are close to rooms I work and sleep in4) Domed supposedly get less exterior dirt accumulation than flat (and I would never be able to go up on the roof to clean the skylight).
5) Snow won't pile up on domed the way it does on flat. Not too worried about this, though, since these are, after all, installed above bathrooms and they also face the south.The benefits of flat glass:
1) Said to be more durable than plastic, but the plan is to replace the skylights again when another roof is put on in 20 years. (maybe the durability issue is only a concern if I'm going to be here more than 5 years)2) Said to be more energy efficient than plastic (but I don't know the exact specs of either the flat or the domed)
By the way, One website even claims that plastic domed skylights are not completely sealed. I'd like to know what they mean by that, since they have to be in order to prevent water leakage.
3) glass won't fade or deteriorate over time (but may get more dirt accumulation than domed)Which of the two do you think I should choose? Would I be crazy to go with domed to avoid the hassle of arranging to paint the interior frame, to avoid potential mold/mildew problems of a wooden inner frame?
By the way, is any one of the two (flat or domed) more prone to leakage?
Thanks,
J.
Funny how the subject wound up looking like an ad.
J.
Funny how the subject wound up looking like an ad.
J.
No brainer - glass.
I had plastic it scratches, yellows, and leaks. You would need to replace it when roofing again.
I see no reason why you would have to replace a Velux skylight when installing a new roof. Much nicer unit.
I have to agree with Frank. I have 3 Velux skylights that are 10 years old. Absolutely no problems in 10 years. I know people with the bubble guys who have nothing but problems.
If you live on a golf course the glass can be replaced in the Velux units. The domes must be replaced completely if damaged.
Colbyt
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