FAQ

  • Building Codes

    Approved Document G7: Natural Light states that the daylight area should equate to 10% of the floor area. NOTE: 10% of floor area gives 30 lux for 75% of the standard year. Required Lux at workplane level by area/usage are shown below:

    Hallways 30 lux
    Relaxation/Conversation 30 lux
    Toilet/Washroom 50 lux
    Dining 50 lux
    Dressing/Grooming 300 lux
    Reading/Deskwork 300 lux
    Handcrafts/Hobbies 300 – 1000 lux (standard, difficult, critical tasks)

    Approved Document G4: Ventilation states that the natural ventilation requirement is 5% of floor area. To give the approximate room size for which the unit will be adequate as the only ventilation source multiply the ventilation areas in by 20.

    The Roof Window GGL/GGU with --76 glazing can withstand evenly distributed loads up to 2.75 Kpa (2.75 Kn/m2).

    We strongly recommend to remove the snow from the Roof Window/Skylight at least once a day during heavy snow periods otherwise the top-casing and coverings can be deformed. For use in very heavy snow areas we also recommend to use insulating glass units with laminated glass towards the inside because if the glass should break for other reasons, the interior laminated glass will be kept together by the PVB interlayer so that glass or objects coming from outside cannot fall through the window (GGL/GGU with –76 glazing or VSE/VCE with –04 glazing).

     Skylight snow load

    Yes, all VELUX skylights, roof windows and sun tunnels have all been BRANZ appraised.
    BRANZ appraisal scope does not cover custom flashing or installations over 60 degrees.

    Our BRANZ appraisals are available for download.

    A Product Technical Statement provides information on how products meet the requirements of the NZ Building Code (as do BRANZ appraisals).

  • Installation

    We suggest no closer than 400mm to allow the top flashing to be clear of the ridge cap and to allow adequate fixing for the roofing material above the skylight without puncturing the VELUX flashing. If the unit is closer than 400mm to the ridge the flashing could run under the ridge capping as long as it is not nailed or screwed through.

    The length of shaft is determined by the position of the skylight in the roof - the longer the shaft the bigger the skylight should be to allow for sufficient light and ease of construction. The light-shaft should be splayed out from the bottom and top of the skylight. At the top of skylight the shaft is typically returned to the ceiling at a right angle to the roof pitch (depending on roof pitch and length of shaft) the sides of the shaft are typically vertical as splayed sides can interfere with the trusses. 

    Refer to the installation instructions supplied with the VELUX product. Work your way through the appropriate section slowly and step by step. If you have questions call us on 0800 650 445

    The VELUX frame has a rebated jamb that accepts up to 12mm lining materials. The backside of the lining rebate is 15mm in from the external frame. Based on this dimension a FS M04 can have a minimum clear opening of 750x950mm.

    If using EDW flashing – no closer than 600mm to ensure that flashings do not touch

    If using EKW combi-flashing or EKL flashing a gap of 100mm is required between external frames.

  • Electronics

    The KLC500 control system is the central unit and all cabling must run to its central location. The KLC500 must not be located in a ceiling, roof or wall cavity. It should be located on a wall surface where ade-quate ventilation is available. The KLC500 requires an adjacent 3-pin plug socket. The following are the suggested cables to use for pre-wiring. Both the GGU and GGL are “pre-drilled” at the top frame to allow the cable to be passed through. (source KLC 500 Installation Instructions):

    Skylight control system wiring
    Download the KLI 110 instructions for pairing procedure.
    If you require assistance please call us for assistance.
  • Insulating Properties

    VELUX IGU combinations are shown below. All IGU’s use a stainless steel spacer with “warm-edge” technology”:

    inside glass cavity exterior glass           

    Skylights --04 5.4mm laminated 9mm argon 3mm toughened LowE3
    GGU Roof Window--76 5.5mm laminated 15mm argon 4mm toughened LowE2

     

    Thermal breaks are only required in aluminium joinery to reduce the heat loss through the aluminium frame as aluminium is a good conductor (unlike timber). VELUX skylights have a "composite" construction with external aluminium cappings and an internal timber frame (VSS,VSE, VS, GGU, FS) or a timber curb (VCS, VCM, FCM). This "composite" construction ensures that all VELUX skylights have a much higher thermal resistance than an aluminium framed window or skylight.

    VELUX skylights therefore do not require a thermal break to achieve very high thermal resistance values (R-values). 

    All insulated glazing units (IGU's) used in VELUX Skylights (VSS, VSE, VS, FS, VCS, VCM, FCM, & GGU) incorporate stainless steel spacers with "warm edge" technology to reduce condensation and to increase the energy efficiency of the complete skylight unit. 

  • Skylights (pitched roofs)

    Pitched roof skylights must be installed between 15 & 90 degrees.

    If your roof pitch is less than 15 degrees, you can use our range of low pitch skylights.

    Yes, insect screens are included with openable skylights.
    (Not included with Roof Windows)

  • Low Pitch Skylights

    Low pitch skylights require a Roofer Made Flashing suitable to the roof type. There is no proprietary VELUX Flashing available for them. 

    Your Builder or Roofer should be able to help. Please also see VELUX website for drawings and installation instructions or Contact VELUX for more information.

    Low pitch skylights can be used on roofs with a pitch of up to 60 degrees.
    However, we have a range of skylights for pitched roofs that may be more suitable.

  • Blinds

    In most cases, yes.

    Obtain your product code and contact VELUX for more information.

    Solar Blinds contain a solar panel which charge the integrated rechargeable battery (supplied), this will charge during the day even with minimum sunlight. The KLI 110 keypad provided can be wall mounted and operates the blind with the touch of a button, AAA batteries are required to power the KLI 110 (batteries provided).
  • Sun Tunnels

    All our Sun Tunnels are available in 350mm diameter tunnels.

    The tunnel length of the Flexible is 1.5m, the Rigid comes with 1.7m. (Low Pitch TCR is 1.2m)
    1180mm length extension pieces (ZTR) are available.

    VELUX Sun tunnels are ideal for hallways, walk-in-robes, pantries, toilets and other small areas without natural light. The same size rigid tunnel will always transmit more light than a flexible tunnel of the same size, length and configuration.

    For other areas, VELUX recommends the use of skylights.