Velux window story

handful

I was surprised and shocked to see my thread updated with some of the stories, especially yours jillmar :sad:.


This is a really worrying problem, I know my son was very lucky to have escaped without any injury, the piece of glass that fell on his pillow could have killed him and stories of actual injuries bring it home even more. My advice would be, if you know the date of installation, contact Velux customer service who for me were excellent and ask them if they need to be checked.

996ducati

Accoring to the Velux product calalogue there are several variations on the glass used.

I quote...

Pane Variants
(53-)Toughened outer pane (no mention of inner?)
(34-)Obscure Glazing toughened outer
(73-)Toughened outer pane with clear and clean coating and laminated inner pane for additional safety
(60-)Improved U value and greater noise reduction. Toughened outer pane with clear and clean coating and laminated inner pane for additional security
(65-)Triple glazing ,lowest U value and noise reduction.Laminated inner pane with clear and clean coating on toughened outer pane.

For more pane vaiants see section 8

http://www.velux.co.uk/veluxcommon/resources/cache/site/www.VELUX.co.uk/Non-Image/PDF/Chapter_3%20Feb%2009.pdf

So from the above details the products with laminated inner panes (safety glass) are (73, 60 & 65).

jillmar

Thanks for your concern handful. My son is ok. A small but deep cut. It could have been a lot worse!
Velux have acted swiftly and efficiently (hmmmmm). I got the impression that they may be used to having similar conversations. They have replaced the glass in the unit with laminated safety glass. They have also contacted me to express their genuine concern for my son. They didn't ask when my unit was installed, or ask to see guarantee paperwork.
It appears that building regulations do not require the inner pane in these units to be safely glass. God knows why! Consequently, companies, including Velux build units to these regulations, as well as units of higher specifications. Surely it's time these regulations were changed, before someone gets seriously hurt.
If anyone has any concerns you can contact Velux on 01592 778225.

utility

Jillmar you might have good reason to think that Velux didn't seem surprised about the worrying accident to your son. I spotted a discussion on another board (I can't post a link as a new member but if you type 'velux shattered window' into Google you'll see a 'boards.ie' discussion) and on that there's someone from a glazing company saying that Velux have a problem with C002 windows and also someone who claims to work for them and who says that there is an issue with a faulty batch that they've known about for a while. Surely it would be better if they did something to alert people to any potential danger rather than waiting to phone and express concern after the event.

jillmar

Thanks utility.I'm awaiting a letter from Velux to confirm the current building reg's and then I have to make a decission about what to do to highlight this. My son has a nasty little scar on his face now. I would feel awful if somebody else ended up in a similar, or even worse situation.Any ideas anyone? Comments please.

JeffWD

I have four Velux Skylights. The two larger ones are FSF models (vent flap). They are a good size at about 2x3 ft. Both are installed on the same roof, same exposure about 5 feet apart. They are up quite high as the ceiling is 14 ft. Both units developed spontaneous cracks on inner pane. One of the cracks is quite large, running from the bottom of the frame up through the glass aprox 18 inches. The crack on the other window is smaller, approx 6 inches. It is not possible for anything to have hit/contacted the window given there are no trees around the home, and the skylight is too high on the ceiling for any interior damage. The windows have been installed for approx 10 years. I have not been able to get up to the lights yet to obtain the serial number yet. My immediate concern is for safety given that they sit right over the area where the family watches TV. Given everything I have read here about windows exploding and falling on people I am really wondering about the product quality issues. Any ideas on why my windows would crack, but not immediately fall in ? Or why they do crack at all ? I have always had high quality thermal windows in my house (Anderson/Marvin) and have never heard of panes cracking. I called Velux today and they told me that they were not familiar with similar issues. From reading this forum I am thinking otherwise and questioning whether they are being upfront with me. As soon as I get the serial number I will be calling Velux back.

SCAMPIDOODLE

will they replace the glass even if they didnt fit the window?

jillmar

It appears so Scampidoodle. My velux was fitted by a builder, not Velux themselves. They didn't ask for any paperwork.

Walletcomps

We also had two of our Velux windows shatter (about 3 weeks between) them, and we were hugely impressed that Velux came and replaced them free, no questions asked, and replaced the ones that hadn't broken too. But having read this forum now, and especially jillmar's terrible story, it makes me wonder why they don't do a Toyota style 'recall' - someone could get seriously hurt or worse, I bet there are a lot of people who sleep under such a window.

a.w.buildingservices

any window with a cill hight more than 800 or 850 mm (canT remember which shure its 800 mm) from floor to cill hieght does not requier safty glass in by law so as most velux windows are much higher than that you probably wont get it in.
if one builder gives you a price and anouther gives you a price a couple of hundred quid cheaper you never say why are you cheaper you say yes please