Broken Velux window - would you attempt a repair?

[swee'pea99]

Long story short, the inside pane got broken on the double-glazed unit in the loft. My immediate instinct, as a hardcore tightwad, is to remove the unit, disassemble it, as per YouTube vids, then substitute a cut-to-size pane of security glass, using Sikaflex polyurethane to fix it. My wife thinks I'm an idiot. Nothing new in that, but on this occasion, she's given me pause, insisting that we need a new unit, because a) it won't work properly without the internal gas, and b) if I do it condensation is sure to get in & drive us nuts.

My take on it is a) gas schmas - it'll still work 90% as well, and we can live without that 10% (bear in mind we live in a Victorian house, which could not be regarded as 'sealed' in any real sense), and b) I'm pretty sure I can Sikaflex it properly, so it won't leak, and condensation won't be an issue.

I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on the matter. If you've actually done/attempted something along these lines, all the better!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Speak to Velux - their approved installers can probably make that as good as new for sensible money

 

[Roseland triker]

Cut a piece of polycarbonate conservatory roof sheet.
Knock out the glass on the unit.... Glue in sheet job done.
I did this on two windows years ago and no problems.
Was like £40

 

[TissoT]

I have fitted lots of Velux being a joiner

Buy a new one

either buy the complete set including the outer frame refit new window to the existing frame.

This is all providing the same size/model of Velux is available.

or start again and take out the old /Existing outer frame and refit new straight from the box.

it will bite you in the long run when it starts to leak

 

[swee'pea99]

Cut a piece of polycarbonate conservatory roof sheet.
Knock out the glass on the unit.... Glue in sheet job done.
I did this on two windows years ago and no problems.
Was like £40

I like your style! She's never going to go for polycarbonate , but other than that, sounds promising...

Obviously I could just "speak to Velux/buy a new one", and that would certainly solve the problem. But it would cost a lot more than my proposed solution (I'm guessing £200+ v £50 +/-) which is why I'm interested to hear people's thoughts/experiences going the non-Velux route. But thanks anyway.

 

[T4tomo]

Does your OH ever go in the loft?

if not just repair it as you like whilst they are out and tell them you fitted a new velux unit, and no one is any the wiser

 

[fossyant]

May be cheaper to buy a new sealed unit, ie the double glazed glass.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Long story short, the inside pane got broken on the double-glazed unit in the loft. My immediate instinct, as a hardcore tightwad, is to remove the unit, disassemble it, as per YouTube vids, then substitute a cut-to-size pane of security glass, using Sikaflex polyurethane to fix it. My wife thinks I'm an idiot. Nothing new in that, but on this occasion, she's given me pause, insisting that we need a new unit, because a) it won't work properly without the internal gas, and b) if I do it condensation is sure to get in & drive us nuts.

My take on it is a) gas schmas - it'll still work 90% as well, and we can live without that 10% (bear in mind we live in a Victorian house, which could not be regarded as 'sealed' in any real sense), and b) I'm pretty sure I can Sikaflex it properly, so it won't leak, and condensation won't be an issue.

I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on the matter. If you've actually done/attempted something along these lines, all the better!

Thanks in anticipation.

To answer the thread title my answer is no I would not attempt a repair.

Just get a qualified installer to fix or replace and be done with it.

I speak as someone who has had to deal with previous house owners tight-fisted bodge-ups.

 

[yello]

May be cheaper to but a new sealed unit, ie the double glazed glass.

Dunno about the price but it's certainly the option I'd look at first.

 

[fossyant]

We had a sealed unit go in the kitchen window as lockdown hit. Fortunately the guys came out and replaced it but it was about £150 - the inner pain had cracked. That was 'cash'.

 

[a.twiddler]

I'm quite averse to spending money but I'm also averse to having to keep fixing the same problem more than once. Your bodge job might work, and I've fixed ordinary vertical windows myself but with something as critical as a roof window I'd get it done properly, spend the money to get it fixed once and for all, enjoy the peace of mind (and the warranty) and move on.

 

[bikingdad90]

Velux windows are the work of the devil! Bugger to fit correctly and avoid leaks but if done correctly last an age.
Are there any local glass repair men in your area who have the kit and will come out, take the pane out and renew everything a little cheaper than a dealer would? Such firms operate in Teesside and do a grand job of it, windows fixed, no more condensation etc.

I’d be wary of taking out the velux frame and replacing as you’ll need to mess with flashing, packing and the tiles which could cause other problems down the line.

 

[MontyVeda]

...

it will bite you in the long run when it starts to leak

Outside pane is fine. Inside pane is broken. It shouldn't leak.

 

[lazybloke]

Velux used to sell replacements. Helluva weight to drag it up a space-saver staircase into a loft room at my in-law's house, but it then just lifted into the existing opening and was done.

Simple, but probably not cheap.

 

[the snail]

If you look on the window, there is a plate with the model number on, with that number you can find the part number of bits you need - it's worth ringing up velux and finding out how much it is. they are relatively easy to fix ime.