query on possibly replacing Velux

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Leaky1

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I have an apartment with 4 Velux skylights - I think they are 55cm x 98cm size. Can't measure them proprerly as they are 15ft off the ground and I've no ladder. They are approx 19 years old, pine timber and not very well maintained. I have lived here 7years and they weren't in great shape when I moved in - I've done nothing with them ever.

It's been pointed out to me that I should get the wood treated every 4yrs or so. Since I haven't, the glass, timber on the sash and frame are covered in black mould - the worst being in the bathroom and kitchen.

I was looking for advice on my options, which would be best:
- get someone in to sand down the moulded parts and revarnish them.
- replace the windows and frames completely.

If I were to get someone in to sand/revarnish, who would I contact? Any recommendations for Dublin City area? Potential cost?

If I were to replace them completely the Velux website has 'new' frames that are timber core coated in polyurethane, rather than the old style pine. Would these be superior as they are supposedly maintenance free? [broken link removed]
Is it gratuitous to replace the windows, or should I see it as an investment? What installation costs would I be looking at, and again recommendation for a tradesman.

Apologies in advance I am useless at diy or anything household related, which is half the reason the frames are in a state.
 
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I had a large Velux window purchased and installed for 600. The initial quote from Velux themselves was 1000. I just got a local roofer/carpenter to buy it from a hardware shop and install it. At the time Velux were not doing installations but the a rep who came out (to inspect a warranty claim) offer to do it but after pricing around.....

I don't have the size to hand but there were probably bigger than what you mention as they are square looking.

Access was easy, I guess it might be a problem if you are a couple of stories up.....
 
Thanks for the reply. Access won't be a major issue as there is roof access by a secure stairway, and there are flat sections on the roof around the velux, well at least I think so! The windows are rectangular but long.

Thanks for the tip, I will contact Velux directly for a price but also get on to local roofers. I think I will probably need management company approval before they will let me do anything with the windows.

Do you have any experience of the white polyurethane velux, is it good quality when compared to the standard pine finish, low maintainance? Am hoping that if I get new ones put in I can start from scratch again and keep them in good condition. Reading up online it seems that after 20yrs or so it can be more beneficial to replace them completely than try maintain the original frame.
 
Interested in this too, we have a couple of pine Velux windows that were installed in 2000 and are definitely showing their age. Apart from anything else I suspect their U Value (no idea what it is) is much worse than modern ones.
Was thinking of getting a new one installed over the living room (bungalow) and maybe getting the other ones replaced at the same time. Maybe pvc is > pine in terms of longevity?
 
We have the pvc coated in our ensuites & they are a great job, just a wipe of a damp cloth cleans them. We have the pine ones in the bedrooms, in the rooms that are not used they are the same as the day they were installed, the ones in the bedrooms that we use aren't as good so we sanded & varnished them again about 2 years ago. The ones in the bedroom that we use get opened every day to air the bedroom no matter what the weather is like. We have 12 no as the house is a dormer, they were installed in 1999. They give fantastic light.
If I was puting in new ones I would put in the PVC coated everywhere.
 
Thanks.
NHG did you sand and varnish the windows yourself, or did you get someone to do it? Was it messy, did it mark the walls around the windows?

Am very tempted to get the white pvc coated ones put in. The bathroom is in the worst condition - the previous occupants seemed to have opened them rarely, and the strings broke several times on us so we couldnt open them and there is no other ventilation. I'm very particular about opening the bathroom one daily, and we try our best to open the other ones too.

Have you had the white frames long, does the whiteness discolour over time? Who did you get to supply/install them?
 
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