FAKRO  Columbia   Suntek   VELUX

Welcome to Metro Skylite‘s review of skylight brands. We make it our business to bring to our customer the very best skylights available on the world market today.

We have experimented with many types and brands of skylights over the last twenty years and the following are the skylights we think are worth mentioning.

Velux Skylights

Most Velux skylights sold in Canada are manufactured in the Unites States. Velux is probably the best known brand name in the Canadian market today. This is largely due to the excellent markinging campaigns carried out by this company. We have worked with this product in many different applications over the last decade usually with great results. A properly installed Velux skylight, using the recommended flashing kit, will likely never leak.

We have however had other issues with these skylights. In our opinion (based on past experience) this company has not properly addressed condensation issues with their deck-mounted series of skylights, particularly the FS (fixed skylight) model. The absence of an adequate condensation gutter along the sides of the frame has resulted in water stains from condensation forming on the lower corners of the skylight that usually causes minor plaster and paint damage. This problem is usually only there when it is below freezing temperature outside.

Further contributing to this issue is the narrow bridge between the interior and exterior of the home that is created by the recommended rough opening and the outside frame of the skylight. It is our belief that, with its new generation of skylights (introduced this year), Velux has added to this problem by introducing a metal fastening ring around the base of their frame to fasten the skylight in place. Metal is a very poor insulator and, in our opinion, can only cause additional condensation concerns.

It is for this reason we are currently not using
or recommending the use of the Velux deck mounted series of skylights. It is our opinion and hope that Velux will, in the near future, recognize it‘s errors with this line of skylights and take the proper moves to correct them. Other fixed units do not have this problem with condensation, including other Velux products. Velux also has a curb mounted series of skylights (FCM). Our experience with this skylight has been very positive. It has a continuous condensation gutter combined with a good thermal break.

The exterior frame is made from roll formed aluminium with ABS joints in the corners. Not as strong as a welded extruded frame of comparable, units but it has not presented any issues to date. This skylight is also available with a (practically) foolproof flashing system. If properly installed, it too will never have leakage issues. The only thing missing from this skylight is a gasket to integrate it into the roof curb.

Unless the top roof curb is perfectly flush (without imperfections) we recommend that a closed cell foam weather strip gasket be installed prior to installing the skylight on the roof curb. Failure to do so may cause drafts and could possibly lead to condensation issues. The screws provided by Velux, although painted, will begin to rust in a short while. We recommend the use of stainless steel screws instead for this application.

This company has an excellent selection of both manual and electronic shades.

Fakro Skylights

Fakro skylights are made in Poland and, in our opinion, are the best skylights available on the Canadian and US market today. The wooden frame of the skylight is thicker than the comparable Velux skylight creating a wider bridge between the inside and outside of the home. This contributes to greater thermal efficiency in this area. Because of the thicker frame and adequate condensation channel running down the sides of the frame and along the bottom, condensation is a far lesser concern with this make of skylight.

Columbia Skylights

These skylights are made in British Columbia, Canada. They come in two different varieties, self flashing and curb mounted. We do not recommend the use of self flashing skylights because of the difficulty associated with providing a permanent waterproofing system around these units. The fact that they sit directly on the roof also makes them more likely to experience problems with ice dams in the winter months. Builders commonly use this type of skylight because of the low price and quick and easy installation procedure.

Columbia also has a curb mounted skylight, in both energy efficient glass and plastic domes. We do not recommend the use of plastic dome style skylights over heated areas because they are thermally inferior to glass skylights, they fade over time and the seal between the double layers of plastic usually fails in a short period of time.

Plastic is not as strong as tempered glass so we don't like to see these skylights in areas where falling ice or snow could be a safety concern. Hail storms can also damage plastic dome style skylights.

Columbia`s curb mounted glass skylight is a decent skylight. It has a warm PVC frame that is welded at the corners. The PVC frame also houses an adequate continuous condensation gutter. The exterior retaining bracket is made from extruded aluminium (repainted brown) and the exterior fasteners are stainless steel (no rusting).

There is no gasket attached to the skylight so we recommend that if you use this skylight you should install a closed cell foam weather strip prior to fastening it to the roof curb. This skylight is generally fastened from the interior so we also recommend stainless steel screws to avoid rust marks from interior humidity.

Suntek Skylights   (curb mounted glass only)

These skylights are made in Florida and are meant to withstand the hurricanes that visit that area. They have a warm PVC frame that is welded at the corners and a continuous condensation gutter. The lens glass can be a combination of tempered/tempered or tempered/laminated. Both have Low-E heat reflective coating and argon gas filling.