Fixed vs. Opening skylights

rentalforever

Velux seem to be the go-to brand for opening skylights but what about non-opening skylights and should they be cheaper for the equivalent size and spec of glass?

We were thinking of cutting back on costs for our extension project as we don’t really need the skylight to open. We probably wouldn’t ever open them as we’d opt for the manual versions rather than electric, again to save costs. So could we save even more by going for non-opening skylights?

Ventilation will come from well placed windows and large glass sliding doors. I’m searching for fixed and non-opening skylights, but wondering if I should be searching for something else?

Doozergirl

If you are trying to save money, have well placed windows and a large sliding door, are you sure you need skylights at all? 

The difference in cost between opening and non-opening isn't going to be big at all.  I can't imagine much difference in cost, but labour will be the same on the roofing.  In fact I'm not even sure I've seen Velux types that don't open.   People just don't open them.  

MeLindsey

We have non opening skylights, to be honest we never really considered opening one as we have large doors in both rooms. I don’t think we’d ever have opened them, if we could 😊

The difference the skylights make to the light is amazing, especially in North facing rooms, and the added height and shape  make such a difference to the look and feel of the room. I would definitely recommend keeping them in your plan if affordable.

FaceHead

Yes I agree that skylights are great, and whilst you can make a saving by ditching them, I would sooner have made the saving elsewhere, e.g. on kitchen worktops, than ditching them. It's personal choice what you chose to prioritised. 

I considered fixed ones, but found them to be not materially cheaper than opening veluxes. The move from electric veluxes to manual was a big saving - the windows, plus the electrics. 

I like having manual opening ones - with the telescopic opening pole. I rarely open them, but do occasionally - the kitchen can get hot in summer, and opening the door and the roof window really gets the ventilation going. 

The advantage of fixed ones that I noticed - rather than price - was the thermal performance. They tend to have a much better U-Value. I suppose because they don't have an opening seal leaking all that central heating-ed air. 

MeLindsey

Should have added, we’re in Scotland it’s never that hot, even when it’s hot.
Being able to open skylights is probably a lot more useful the further south you live. 

rentalforever

Doozergirl said:

If you are trying to save money, have well placed windows and a large sliding door, are you sure you need skylights at all? 

The difference in cost between opening and non-opening isn't going to be big at all.  I can't imagine much difference in cost, but labour will be the same on the roofing.  In fact I'm not even sure I've seen Velux types that don't open.   People just don't open them.  

Lighting is one of the main issues we’re trying to address with this project hence the skylight. Our living space needs the lights on at any time of the day save for maybe an hour when there might be a bit of afternoon sun. Creates a lovely moody ambience but never fully lights up the space. Think it’s to do with the positioning of the house and the terrain it sits on.

The comment about windows and doors are more to do with ventilation than it is to do with light. The skylights will face a westerly aspect which the house currently doesn’t have any windows or doors facing so the thinking is we’ll get natural light coming through from three aspects depending on the time of day.

rentalforever

MeLindsey said:

We have non opening skylights, to be honest we never really considered opening one as we have large doors in both rooms. I don’t think we’d ever have opened them, if we could 😊

The difference the skylights make to the light is amazing, especially in North facing rooms, and the added height and shape  make such a difference to the look and feel of the room. I would definitely recommend keeping them in your plan if affordable.

Don’t suppose you remember where you got them from or that they have some sort of brand name on them? I’ve had a look and struggling to find them. Velux seems to dominate with the rest being bespoke (and presumably expensive, but I’ll ask) or designed for a flat roof.

MeLindsey

rentalforever said:

MeLindsey said:

We have non opening skylights, to be honest we never really considered opening one as we have large doors in both rooms. I don’t think we’d ever have opened them, if we could 😊

The difference the skylights make to the light is amazing, especially in North facing rooms, and the added height and shape  make such a difference to the look and feel of the room. I would definitely recommend keeping them in your plan if affordable.

Don’t suppose you remember where you got them from or that they have some sort of brand name on them? I’ve had a look and struggling to find them. Velux seems to dominate with the rest being bespoke (and presumably expensive, but I’ll ask) or designed for a flat roof.

The company was SterlingBuild and the range ECO+, ours are flat roof, and non opening was a much cheaper option. 

They appear to do a decent range of pitched roof windows, quite a few brands.