Velux vs Fakro: Which Roof Window Brand?

Both make roof windows that open on a central or top pivot, and both offer fixed lights, electric opening and blinds as extras. Both supply flashing kits for a range of coverings, and both sell through merchants and fitters. Frames are usually made of wood with a protective finish or of a plastic-based material, and most sashes are double glazed. A roof window from either maker, fitted by a skilled roofer with the correct kit, should keep water out for years.

That is why a brand name alone is a poor guide. A well-made window can leak if the flashing is wrong, and a modest window can run for years with the right kit and a tidy fit. The things that separate a good result from a poor one are the model you pick, the kit for your covering, the quality of the fit and the care it gets afterwards. Drainage above the window matters as well, since a blocked gutter or valley sends water towards the frame. Our answer on how long Velux windows last goes through what affects life. The wider guide to roof windows and skylights sits above it.

Ignore claims that one brand is simply better. Look at the data sheet for the model, not the logo.

The main differences show up in the catalogue. Check the list of sizes each brand offers, because a roof window that fits your existing opening saves cutting rafters. Check the special types you may need: a window for a low pitch, a top-hung window for a steep roof, a conservation style, a bathroom type with extra moisture protection, or a window that doubles as a fire escape. Not every size or type exists in both ranges, and ranges change from year to year.

Sizes are sold by code rather than by measurement, and a code for one maker does not map onto the other's. If you want to swap brands in an existing opening, ask the supplier for the nearest match and have it measured on site. Our answer on Velux window sizes shows how the codes work.

Pitch limits differ between models too, so look for the minimum and maximum pitch on the data sheet. Pitch matters, since a shallow roof limits your choice. Choose the model first, then the brand that offers it.

The flashing kit is where a window earns its keep, so ask each supplier which kit suits your covering, whether you have plain tiles, interlocking tiles, slate or something else. A kit is made for one family of coverings, and one made for the wrong type will not seal properly. Our page on Velux flashing kit types explains the families.

Fitting is as important as the product. Instructions are published for both makes, and a careful roofer follows them. If your roofer has fitted one brand many times, they will know its quirks, and that experience is worth weighing against a small saving. Equally, a good fitter can work with either if you have a preference.

Spares are a second test. In ten or fifteen years, you may need a seal, a handle, a pane or a sash. Ask whether the maker keeps parts for older windows, how long they say they will, and whether stockists near you hold them. A window you can repair beats one that has to be replaced because a small part has gone. If you have a window already, note which make it is and tell us on the first call, because that sets the kit and the spares.

Read warranty terms as well as the headline length. Ask what each makers' document covers: the glass unit, the frame, the seals, the flashing and the labour to put things right. Ask who stands behind it, how a claim is made, and whether it is transferable if you sell the house. A manufacturer warranty covers the product, and it normally needs the window to have been fitted to the instructions. It is not a promise of how long the window will last.

Workmanship is a separate matter. A fitter's guarantee covers the fitting, such as a leak at the flashing, and it is worth having in writing from whoever does the job. Ask any roofer for a written guarantee on their own work.

On price, models in the same class are often close, and the gap between a basic and a specialist window is bigger than the gap between brands. As a national yardstick, Checkatrade's October 2026 window fitting guide puts a new roof window at an average of £1,250 and a replacement at £1,025. Check whether VAT and scaffolding sit inside each quote. We price the exact model you choose as one total after the survey, so tell us which you are considering. For more, see the cost of fitting a Velux window.