Skylights can introduce ample benefits to any interior, and yet misconceptions over price, installation, and performance can overshadow their advantages. VELUX is aiming to change industry mindsets for the better with the introduction of its VELUX Modular Skylight (VMS) system.
“VMS systems were designed with the architect and builder in mind,” says Russell Ibbotson, Technical & Commercial Manager with VELUX Canada Inc. “Not only are they extremely energy efficient, but you can work them into more designs and they’re quick to put in.”
Designed in collaboration with the renowned British architectural firm Foster + Partners, VMS’s modular skylights use fiberglass frames instead of aluminum, making it stand out in terms of performance and sustainability. Additionally, they are built and assembled within a factory before being shipped to the job site where crews need only to secure them in place with a cordless drill, saving upwards of 40% in installation time.
“You might need a crane to drop them into place on larger builds, but there are no special tools needed,” adds Ibbotson, noting, “The fact that the installation is very quick and straightforward makes it popular with residential and commercial roofers on varying sizes of projects.”
The systems’ energy-efficient design has also been a plus for building stakeholders. Whereas incorporating natural light in a built environment once meant accepting heat loss in the winter or solar heat gain in the summer, VMS’s advanced materials and composition contribute to a more stable, comfortable environment.
Welcome to Canada
VELUX’s Modular Skylight system has tested extensively in Europe and North American markets, but is only recently gaining traction among Canadian roofers and builders. Since its arrival, the system has been incorporated into numerous schools, shopping malls, offices, and facilities where demands for energy-efficiency and comfortable interiors are highest.
Granted, the upfront cost for Modular Skylights may be a bit higher than the alternatives. Nevertheless, says Ibbotson, reductions in labour and installation time more than makeup for the investment. “You don’t need skills to incorporate these skylights into a building, and they go in quicker with fewer people. So when you take away the costs of that extra labour, you’re actually saving money in the long run.”
Setting the bar
VELUX’s Modular Skylights represent a welcome advancement in skylight designs. And looking forward, Ibbotson says the products are only getting better: For one, innovations around the frame, glass, and flashing are giving designers more options. Previously, we were limited to a 10- foot wide opening, but now we can openings as wide as 24 feet, which we did for a mall in Vernon, BC.”
Adding a skylight to any environment can unlock health, wellness, and productivity benefits for the occupants therein. With its Modular Skylights, VELUX hopes to provide designers, architects, roofers, and builders alike with a better (and brighter) alternative.
Russell Ibbotson is a Technical Manager with VELUX Canada Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of skylights, roof windows, and Sun Tunnels since 1941.
Learn more about VELUX Modular Skylights by visiting velux.ca, calling 1-800-888-VELUX, or emailing commercial-cdn@velux.com.
To book a project meeting with Russell or a member of the Commercial team, Click here
