Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 07, 2014 9:26 am I will be building a double storey home with Carlisle, and was wondering what people's views are on skylights in double storey homes. The design has a central stairwell, void area, which looks like it would be dim without lights on, from what I have seen in displays, so I was thinking of putting in a skylight in the roof over this void, so the stairwell and ground floor area can be illuminated. Hoping people can share their views, costs and overall experience, if they have put in skylights in similar scenarios. EDIT: Also, did anyone decide to do it after handover, or is it worth it to go through the builder? Thanks! Re: Skylight in a double storey home 2Jan 07, 2014 1:54 pm My wife dislikes them due to potential future leakage problems; I think that would be a good reason to get it done by the builder, however, otherwise the builder will blame the 3rd-party installer & vice-versa if leakage does happen. The other thing about skylights is letting heat in during summer, and stopping heat from getting out during winter. It would probably make a mess of the building design overall; but is it possible to extend the roofline instead, and have some double-glazed windows install which face east-through-south so as to avoid summer sun? Alternatively, what about those solar-tube style things, they seem to let a lot of light in & may offer better insulative properties? Re: Skylight in a double storey home 3Jan 07, 2014 2:11 pm Hi there. I am having the builder install velux ceiling windows. I will have 3 large windows in my upstairs lounge area and one large window in my master ensuite. All will be remote with block out. I never even considered leaks to be honest. They are exspensive but look fan. Cheers Mark Re: Skylight in a double storey home 4Jan 07, 2014 2:41 pm We have a similar set up and with a void and staircase. The glass ceiling proved to be highly expensive (cost of a small car) and would make the area too hot during warmer months and sunny days. We decided instead to build a low tower with a solid top and 360 degree vertical window panels at 300mm (with louvres included east and west). It lets in plenty of light, improves ventilation and looks amazing. Re: Skylight in a double storey home 5Jan 30, 2014 12:39 am Hi RobbieBob "We decided instead to build a low tower with a solid top and 360 degree vertical window panels at 300mm" We have a similar idea with metal deck roof on top of our staircase. Same reasons. Are your windows 300mm tall or 300mm above the roof ? Would love to get a bit more details. Do use use them for ventilation and are they any good for that for example? Thanks. Built a 2 storey house... hebel, proctor, pvc windows, aiphone, deck roofs, louver covered patio Re: Skylight in a double storey home 6Feb 07, 2014 12:18 pm Just thought I should tell you about our recent experience with Velux In summary, we would not recommend Velux who were unwilling to fix the insect screen under warranty, charged $180 without ever indicating a charge would be applied and after complaint was made refused to budge their position. Our experience would suggest that you can have little faith in Velux's commitment to resolving issues when their product fails. Their competitor Fakro may be the better choice. Velux is by no means a cheap brand or product but they seem to ignore both their own warranty/guarantee and consumers statutory guarantee We had Velux windows, blinds and insect screens installed by our licensed builder. We went with Velux over Fakro because because our builder had worked with Velux previously. Problems arose when the fly screen was damaged in its ordinary operation when my daughter pulled the screen down. The fly screen tore and I removed the whole screen to see if it could easily be fixed. It was obvious on removal that the screen could not be placed back in the track because it was torn along a 20cm length of it which could not be placed back in the track and Velux was contacted We explained to Velux that our insect screen had failed after two years and within the warranty period. A technician was sent and was told that the blind had been damaged when it was pulled down by my daughter. It appears that the technician misunderstood that the screen was being operated normally because he subsequently advised that he thought the screen had been pulled at and ripped when issues arose. The screen was repaired by removing the damaged section and reattaching the retractable slider. The technician spoke little during the visit and did not advise that their was a cost. This was also not indicated at first contact with velux when a technician was called out. In a subsequent conversation with the General Manager of Velux he stated that -I had the right to my view as he did to his but refused to remove any charge. - The technician had told him that I had "tampered" with the screen by removing it (I note the Velux guarantee contains no information about this) -my daughter had damaged the blind by putting something through the blind (this had never be stated in previous conversations) -that the technician had actually explained before starting the work that a cost would be incurred.(this was never said, was never raised when we complained to the technician and appears to have only been asserted when the technician went and spoke to the GM about our complaint) When we asked the GM why we would immediately contact the company when the invoice was found on the dinning room table the GM stated he was "unable to speculate". We told that his technician was "man of words" he did not deny this but simply stated he had not previously received complaints about the technician while he worked for the company". Velux seems to take the approach that consumers must prove that the warranty applies but makes little attempt to clarify what occurred and no information about cost. We understand the from time to time that people with technical expertise may not prioritise good communication, however, it appears that even after discussions Velux is unable to shift. I advised the GM of my intention to write consumer reviews of our experience (which I have never had cause to do before) and he simply stated that this was my right. While we have no intention of paying the invoice it has created a great deal of unnecessary angst. It might be a bit darker in the mornings but the light is still light, so you should be getting it. Similar to what you see from your western windows 3 19992 1 4592 Hi Kristy Around $1.7-1.8m or around $4,600/sqm. if you PM me your email I will send you a break up in a spreadsheet so you can get an understanding of the costs for… 1 9980 |