VELUX Skylights Weather the Perfect Storm

As Australia is infamous for its unpredictable weather, there is nothing better to invest in than VELUX skylights to withstand our often crazy conditions.

When Melbourne experienced a super cell thunderstorm back in 2010, genuine VELUX skylights were vastly unaffected which made for very satisfied customers. But others with only plastic dome skylights, rather than VELUX skylights, weren’t so lucky.

Bird breeder John Spink was just one of the residents wishing they had purchased more VELUX skylights as opposed to second-rate alternatives when the thunderstorm struck. “All of a sudden the storm hit and I rushed inside. The noise from hail stones the size of cricket balls hammering my roof and windows was terrifying…but not as terrifying as the sound of my plastic dome skylights getting smashed to pieces. Hail stones crashed right through both layers of plastic. The first plastic dome to go was right above my TV and a flood of water hit my TV before I had a chance to move it. Within 2 minutes my plastic dome skylights were smashed (as pictured below) and I had water coming in everywhere.”

“I lost my TV and VCR when the first plastic dome skylight gave in. Most of my carpets need to be replaced due to the flooding, 4 windows were smashed, gutter guards, my aircon…all up the insurance company estimates about $14,500 worth of damage.

On the same roof as the plastic dome skylights, John has 6 VELUX skylights installed. “Remarkably all my VELUX skylights survived the storm with ease. No glass was broken, only minor dents in the outer frame which cause no problems and can easily be repaired.”

 “If I knew then what I know now, I would have bought VELUX skylights instead of plastic domes”, adds John. “It was a scary experience and I feel much safer with VELUX above my head. Besides, I wouldn’t need as many VELUX skylights because they let much more light in…and fresh air.”

With an outer pane of toughened safety glass as well as two laminated inner panes it takes more than the storm that hit Melbourne on 6 March 2010 to affect a VELUX skylight. VELUX skylights are tested to extremes. They surpass the aS4285 and aS1288 requirements for load and wind pressure – some are even cyclone proof. They have passed the same watertightness test as roof tiles. And, for installations above 18°, they meet the criteria for Bushfire attack Level 40 requirements.

Source: VELUX

So if you are interested in having the durable VELUX products installed in your home, contact us at Action Sheetmetal & Roofing by phoning 07 5564 8200, emailing us at orders@actionsheetmetal.com or online www.actionsheetmetal.com.

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