The Best VELUX Alternatives in UK: Honest Brand Comparisons & Prices

VELUX is the name most people think of first when they need a roof window. That is not surprising - the brand has been around for decades and has done an excellent job of becoming synonymous with the product itself. But VELUX is not the only option, and for many homeowners in the UK it is not even the best one.  

There is a wide range of VELUX alternatives in  UK that offer comparable or better performance, more competitive prices, and in some cases a specification that the VELUX range simply does not match. This guide gives you an honest look at the main brands worth considering, what each one actually offers, and where Brett Martin roof windows - available exclusively through Skylights Roof Lanterns - sit in the comparison. 

Why People Look for VELUX Alternatives in UK? 

The most common reasons homeowners start looking for VELUX alternatives in the UK come down to three things: price, specification, and availability. VELUX products sit at a premium price point, and for a project involving multiple units the total cost adds up quickly. Some homeowners also find that VELUX's standard range does not cover the size or glazing specification they need without moving into bespoke territory, which pushes the price up further. Others simply want to understand whether the premium is justified before committing. 

The honest answer is that several alternatives exist which match or beat VELUX on specification while coming in at a noticeably lower price - particularly in the fixed and flat roof window categories. 

Brand Comparison: VELUX Alternatives at a Glance 

Prices vary by size and specification. The table above reflects approximate relative positioning rather than exact figures, as both VELUX and its competitors adjust prices regularly. 

Brett Martin: The Best VELUX Alternative for UK Flat Roofs 

Who They Are 

Brett Martin is a UK manufacturer based in Coventry with a long track record in architectural glazing and rooflight products. Unlike most of the brands on this list, Brett Martin designs and manufactures its products in the UK, which means shorter supply chains, faster delivery, and direct accountability on quality. Skylights Roof Lanterns is an authorised supplier of Brett Martin products, giving customers access to the full range with the benefit of expert advice and 48-hour delivery on many items. 

What Sets Them Apart 

Where Brett Martin really stands apart from VELUX is in flat roof applications. VELUX is primarily a pitched roof window manufacturer - its flat roof range is more limited and generally more expensive relative to the specification offered. Brett Martin, by contrast, has developed a comprehensive flat roof window range that covers fixed, opening (manual and electric), triple-glazed, and self-cleaning units across a wide range of sizes. 

Their roof windows are manufactured to UK building regulations, BBA-certified on most models, and come with guarantees of up to 20 years as standard. Triple-glazed units include self-cleaning glass and UV protection as part of the standard specification - features that VELUX typically prices as upgrades. 

For loft conversions and extensions on pitched roofs, the pitched roof windows from Brett Martin offer the same core performance - egress compliance, thermal efficiency, weather resistance  at a price that makes fitting multiple units genuinely affordable. 

FAKRO: The Closest Like-for-Like VELUX Competitor 

FAKRO is a Polish manufacturer and the closest direct competitor to VELUX in the pitched roof window market. The product range closely mirrors VELUX's, covering manual centre-pivot and top-hung windows, electric models, flat roof access units, and a range of accessory blinds and flashings. Quality is well regarded and independent testing results are comparable to VELUX across most categories. 

FAKRO products are widely available through UK builders' merchants and online suppliers. Pricing generally comes in around 15 to 25 per cent below equivalent VELUX units, which is a meaningful saving on a full loft conversion project. The main practical consideration is that FAKRO flashings are not interchangeable with VELUX, so if you are replacing individual units in an existing installation, you will need to match the brand throughout or replace the flashings. 

Keylite: Strong Thermal Performance and Good Availability 

Keylite is an Irish brand that has built a solid reputation in the UK market, particularly among builders and contractors. Their top-hung and centre-pivot roof windows are well specified, with double and triple-glazed options and a built-in expanding thermal collar that simplifies installation and reduces thermal bridging around the frame - a detail that VELUX charges extra for as an additional accessory. 

Keylite windows are available through a broad network of UK stockists and come in at a competitive price relative to VELUX. The expanding collar is a genuinely useful differentiator for new builds and first-time installations, as it removes one of the more fiddly steps from the fitting process. 

RoofLITE+: Danish Quality at a Lower Price 

RoofLITE+ is owned by the same Danish group as DAKEA and has been positioned as a quality alternative to VELUX at a more competitive price. The range covers the core categories - centre-pivot, top-hung, and combination windows  and uses similar design conventions to VELUX, which means an experienced installer will find the fitting process familiar. 

One practical advantage of RoofLITE+ is that the flashings are designed to be compatible with VELUX flashings in several configurations, which simplifies retrofitting or replacing individual units in an existing VELUX installation. This makes it a particularly sensible choice for homeowners who are adding a new unit to a roof that already has VELUX windows fitted. 

Dakea: The Budget-Friendly Option 

Dakea is aimed at the more price-sensitive end of the market and is often recommended by installers who are working to tighter budgets on straightforward residential projects. The quality is adequate for standard domestic applications and the product range covers the essentials. Guarantees and certification are in order for UK compliance. 

Dakea is best suited to applications where the primary requirement is a compliant, functional roof window at the lowest possible cost - garages, utility rooms, and secondary loft spaces where thermal performance is not the primary concern. For main habitable rooms, the step up to Keylite, RoofLITE+, or Brett Martin is worth the small additional cost. 

Fixed vs Opening: Which Type Do You Actually Need? 

One decision that affects both brand choice and budget is whether you need an opening or a fixed unit. Fixed roof windows are significantly cheaper, easier to install, and offer marginally better thermal performance because there are no moving parts or seals to degrade over time. They are the right choice for rooms where ventilation is provided another way - through a wall vent or an opening window elsewhere in the space. 

Opening roof windows are required where the window is the primary source of ventilation for the room, and they are compulsory for bedrooms in loft conversions where egress is required. Our fixed roof windows start from a lower price point and are a practical choice for extensions and flat roof sections where light rather than ventilation is the goal. Our electric roof windows are worth considering for hard-to-reach positions where manual operation would be impractical. 

Conclusion:

Whichever brand you choose, these are the specification points to confirm before placing an order. The whole-unit U-value (not just the centre pane) should meet or beat 1.6 W/m²K for compliance - better products will achieve 1.0 or below. The inner pane must be laminated safety glass for building regulation compliance. BBA certification or equivalent third-party testing gives you confidence that the product has been independently assessed for the UK climate and building standards. And the guarantee should cover at least 10 years, ideally on the full unit rather than just the glass. 

For a deeper look at how glazing specification affects performance, our guide on triple glazing versus double glazing for roof windows is a useful read before you commit to a specification. 

Frequently Asked Questions