Optilight Roof Window & Fakro Loft Ladder Installation

This week, we are installing an Optilight Roof Window and a Fakro Loft Ladder in one home. We undertook the installation at the same time but for this article we will show the jobs separately.

The Optilight Roof Window has been part of our range for a number of years, this brand provides a great option for natural daylight at a lower cost. The Loft Ladder was fully integrated with a frame and insulated hatch door.

We will demonstrate the Loft Ladder installation first:

Here is the current loft hatch.  We have to enlarge it slightly:

After the opening is enlarged and lined correctly, we then bring the new timber loft ladder up to fix into place:

Now that the timber loft ladder is fixed into place, we apply architrave to provide a neat finish:

All done, we have a lovely finish and new timber loft ladder installed

Now we get onto the roof window, we start by cutting a pilot hole, we then take accurate measurements and carefully cut out the plasterboard and remove the roof tiles:

We then head downstairs to collect the Optilight Roof Window

Once the Roof Window is ready, we swiftly remove the roof battens

We then build a lining frame for the roof window and install the Optilight Roof Window.

Fakro Roof Window Installation

Location – Enfield, Middlesex

Hello from Enfield in Middlesex / North London. This week we are installing a Fakro roof window.

Fakro are a very innovative manufacturer of roof window.  With very high specification components.

The Fakro topSafe system is a unique system only available on the Fakro roof window, making it the safest roof window on the market.

This customer already had a roof window in their loft and they wanted another one to sit alongside it.

We get straight to work marking where we will cut out the plasterboard.

We then start cutting the opening for the Fakro roof window

Now that the opening has been created and prepared, we have to get the Fakro roof window frame ready…

We apply the brackets to the frame.  This will allow us to fix the window to the roof.  Once the window has been fixed to the roof, we have to apply the flashing kit.  The flashing kit stop the rain water from coming into the loft.

Here is the new roof window fixed to the roof.

The roof window is now ready for the sash…

The new Fakro roof window has now been installed, here is an internal and external image…

If you would like a Fakro roof window installed then please call us on 020 8551 5800 or fill out our form below

Installation of a Velux Solar Skylight

Location – Sutton, Surrey

This week we are visiting a stunning home in Sutton, Surrey to install two large Velux Solar Skylights.  There are no skylights at present, therefore we are undertaking a completely new installation at this time.

Velux Solar Skylights are a brilliant way to operate your skylight when situated in out of reach positions.  Being solar powered, the window eliminates the need for any wiring and it works beautifully.

The Velux Solar Skylights are completely controlled by this stunning touch pad…

Enough jaw opening moments at the technology, lets get to work…

This is where the two Velux solar skylights are going to go.   A bit high up isn’t it?

Oh a tower! that’s better!

We commence works on creating the opening for the Velux windows.

Once the hole is made, we then start removing the tiles from the inside.

A quick glance of progress from the outside as our fitter removes the roof tiles.

Once the tiles are removed, we then line the opening with timber, ready to fit the frame of the first Velux solar skylight.

Once the opening is ready, we go outside and get the Velux window un-boxed and ready for installation.

We remove the window sash from its frame, ready for fitting.

We then install the frame into the pre-formed opening.

That is the first Velux almost complete, now that we have installed the frame, we repeated the process for the second Velux, see images below…

Once both frames are in place, we then tile up around both windows and affix the solar panel on the outside of the Velux.

Excellent, all done, nicely installed.

We then have a quick look at them in action.

If you wish to have roof windows fitted, Velux or otherwise, be sure to contact us on 020 8551 5800, we would be delighted to help.

Installation of a Velux Skylight

Location – Ealing, West London

This week we are visiting a home which has a Velux skylight already in place.  They have an old Velux C04 which is 550mm wide and 980mm in depth.

The Velux skylight is in a bedroom and for the size of the room it is a small window.  We have been bought in to make the opening wider and fit a new generation Velux UK04 which is 1340mm wide and the same depth of 980mm.

We get to work…

First we start removing the tiles around the current Velux skylight, then we remove the frame.

Old Velux frame removed.  We now have to remove the tiles from the other end to enable us to make the opening bigger for the new Velux skylight.

Now that the tiles are removed, we can extend the width of the opening.

We remove the plasterboard and insulation and then we commence cutting the timber.

So now the opening has been made for the new Velux skylight.  We need to line the opening with timber.

Timber installed and ready to fit the Velux skylight.  But first…

We take some time to have a quick sandwich and get a cheeky picture of our lovely clean van.

Ok sandwich eaten, we get the new Velux skylight out of the van and ready for un-boxing.

We remove the window from the box and then remove the frame from the sash.

We then take the frame upstairs to its new home and fit it into place…

A quick run downstairs and have a look at how the work is going from the outside…

Ok the window frame is now installed, it is time to fit the sash into place…

Velux GGL UK04 3050 now installed.

We now install the Velux DKL UK04 blackout blind…

All done, one last look from the outside before we leave to check all the tiles are neat and look good…

Excellent! would you like a Velux window installed, replaced or even serviced? contact us on 020 8551 5800, we are waiting to help you.

Location – Forest Hill, London

This week, this valued customer wanted us to fit a wooden loft ladder along with a roof window to allow natural daylight into his loft space.  Both products were from a manufacturer called Fakro.  They make very high quality roof windows and loft ladders.

The wooden loft ladder would require a new opening to be made in the ceiling, no problem… lets get to work.

All products in van ready to go..

This is where the loft ladder is going to be fitted, image of hall way and inside loft.

This is where the Fakro roof window will go.

We will show you the roof window fitting first, then scroll down to see the loft ladder fitting.

So we get to work fitting the Fakro roof window…

As you can see, the opening for the Fakro skylight is now ready for window frame to be installed.

We hop down to the van and get the Fakro skylight.  We un-package it and install it into the preformed opening.

Now the window is installed, we have to put the flashing kit around the window and tile it up on the outside.

All done, now we need to install the roof window sash to finish the job.

Brilliant, all done.  Fakro skylight fully installed

Now onto the timber loft ladder…

We clear the area where the loft ladder will go.  Then we cut the timber joist.

We then re line the opening to form the frame for the loft ladder and remove the laths.

Now that the frame is made, we then cut the plasterboard ceiling to form the opening for the loft ladder.

Another visit to the van to get the loft ladder…

We then install the loft ladder into the preformed opening.

Now the ladder is installed, we finish it off underneath with architrave.

All done, lets have a look at the ladder all fitted…

Fakro timber folding loft ladder and roof window installed.  If you would like a roof window or loft ladder installed please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8551 5800

Location – Leyton, London

As the holiday season approaches and the rain sets in, we are cutting back on the Velux skylight installations but we are installing many loft ladders.  However we still managed to get in a few and this week is no exception.

This week we changing an old Velux skylight.  An old Velux GGL U08 is currently in place.  The Velux skylight was a little worse for wear, a new one was desperately needed.  We are going to replace the U08 with a new generation Velux GGL UK08.

So let’s get to work…

This is the old Velux skylight (GGL U08) in place.

Here it is open…

The first job is to remove the old sash from the roof window frame.

The next job is to remove the old Velux skylight frame itself.

After the Velux skylight frame is removed we start to install the new frame for the new generation GGL UK08.

So now the frame for the new generation roof window is installed, see image below…

The new roof window is nicely installed.  The next job would be to put the sash into place.  If you are not aware, the sash is basically the part which houses the glass and opens and closes.

This looks really nice, a massive improvement to how the old roof window was.  We now install a DKL blackout blind…

All done, another old Velux roof window replaced.  If you want your old roof window replaced (regardless of brand) please contact us on 020 8551 5800.

Location – Chingford, London

Hello from East London.   This week we are in a rather large house converted into stunning flats.  The top floor flat has two very old roof window skylights in place.  The sizes that were there, were 1340 x 1400 and 780 x 1400.  Our job was to replace them with Velux skylights.  the equivalent Velux skylights were GGL UK08 3050 (1340 x 1400) and GGL MK08 3050 (780 x 1400).

Lets get to work…

So our first job was to remove the roof window sashes (the glass part).

Here is the sash of the bigger roof window removed

After the sashes are removed, we have to remove the frames of the roof windows to enable us to install the frames of the new Velux skylights.  Here is an image of the smaller frame removed

With the old roof windows completely removed, it is time to install the new Velux skylights.

Mr Fitter hard at work, fixing the new frame into place.

The all new frames of the Velux skylights are now in place and ready. The sashes need to be put in.  We also have blinds to install too.

This is the sash of the smaller Velux skylight (GGL MK08 3050).  All ready to be installed.

Time to put the sashes into place and fit the blinds…

That is the bigger window done.   The GGL UK08 3050.  Time to fit the blind to the smaller window, the GGL MK08 3050.

All done.  They look lovely.

Do you have an old roof window which is in need of a replacement? Do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8551 5800 or checkout our range here

Location – Crouch End, London

Apologies for the lack of recent postings. We have been re developing your all new installation service website.

In the meantime we have been taking many snaps. This week we install 2 Velux skylights into a top floor flat in the gorgeous area of Crouch End in North London.  We are fitting two sizes, one is 1140 x 1180 in white.  This is known as a GGU SK06 and the other is 780 x 1400 in white.  This is known as a GGU MK08.

There were no Velux skylights here before and the room was quite dark.  It was our job to let in the light!

Let’s get to work…

Here we start to measure out where we will place the two windows.

We then remove the plasterboard for the first opening.  This is for the smaller Velux skylight, the GGU MK08.

We then remove the plasterboard for the second opening, this is for the larger Velux skylight, the GGU SK06.  We then commence removing the battens to enable us to bring the slates into the room and off the roof.

The opening is now made for the GGU SK06 Velux skylight.

We then make the opening for the GGU MK08 Velux skylight.

Both openings are now formed for the Velux skylights.  Wow a lot more light in the room now!

A little more work to do still, we have to create frames for the openings, to fit the windows to.

Quick sandwich and back to work…

1 Velux GGU SK06 and 1 Velux GGU MK08 installed.  We just have to put the window sashes in (the glass).

They look beautiful.  A lot more light in now.  The customer got in a plasterer to make good the edges and then sent us pictures to put up here, see below the finished (pre-paint) article.

A lovely job.  A dark living room in a top floor flat, now bright and airy.

If you would like a roof window installed in your home, why not check out our range, click here 

Location – East Finchley, London

This week we are heading to a beautiful part of London, on the boarders of the lovely Hampstead, we are in East Finchley.  Our job was to replace a very old skylight which in essence was just a piece of glass placed on a timber frame and sealed with lead.  We would have to carefully remove the glass, sheet by sheet.

The customer wanted us to install a white Velux (GGU) roof window.  Today we got to install the new generation Velux roof window.  It is a lovely roof window.

We get to work…

Here is the old skylight in place.  Two sheets of glass placed on a timber frame.  We set out carefully taking it apart.

First we removed the glass from the frame.  Once the glass is removed, we get to work removing the frame and lead to give us a nice level and clean canvass to work from.

With the frame all removed, its time to install a new frame for the Velux roof window to fit too.  Keep in mind roof windows are not made to measure so we had to adapt the opening ever so slightly to accommodate the Velux rood window.  All that would be required after the job would be a very small amount of plaster and paint.

Time to create the new frame…

As you can see its only a small amount of timber each side.  The frame is now done.  Let’s go and get the Velux roof window.

  
Velux window, unboxed, frame ready, it’s time to install the skylight.

Little look up at the sky prior to installation.  We now get to work installing the white Velux GGU roof window.

We had to install a few new slates too..

We then add the final touches to the installation

All done, a brand new Velux skylight, supplied and professionally installed

Do you have an old roof window? Velux or otherwise? do you have an old skylight which needs replacing? Let us quote, call us on 020 8551 5800.

Location – Basildon, Essex

This week we are visiting a home which had a large (very large) skylight in their kitchen.  It must have been there since the house was built.  The skylight was just several sheets of glass encased in lead.  We would have to remove the sheets of glass (carefully) and bring in the frame slightly.  The reason for this is because no roof window on the market had a product which was the exact size.  Fakro roof windows however had a product which was very close, there would be a little bit of frame work to do but nothing that can not be made “pretty” afterwards with a bit of plasterboard.

We get to work…

Here is the current product, the glass has blown and it is leaking and being in the kitchen, you can imagine, this is not pleasant for the home owners.

We then very carefully remove the glass, we had to be slow and careful as they were big sheets of glass.

We then prepare the opening for the Fakro roof window.

After the opening was prepared for the Fakro roof window, we then get the frame ready.

The frame is now ready to install the Fakro roof windows.

We then commence work on installing the Fakro roof windows.  You can see these are quite large.

The Fakro roof windows are now in place, now its time to put the window sashes into place.

All done and fitted, one skylight replaced with two lovely Fakro roof windows.  All that is needed now is a little cosmetic work (plasterboard and plastering)

Do you have an old roof window? Velux or otherwise? do you have an old skylight which needs replacing? Let us quote, call us on 020 8551 5800.