VELUX Redesigned Product Line Includes Deck Mounted Skylights With Industry-First No Leak Installation Warranty

    FORT MILL, SC, December 31, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- VELUX America Inc. is introducing a totally redesigned skylight product line which will be shown for the first time at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas in January 2010. Major upgrades include advanced energy efficient glass and added protection against water penetration. A no leak product warranty is included, as is an industry-first installation warranty for deck mounted skylights.

The VELUX deck mounted product family is now designated The No Leak Skylight. It carries the new 10-year installation warranty plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on skylights, and five years on blinds and controls. Features include a third layer of water protection - advanced LoE3 glass for better energy efficiency, higher visible light transmittance, and improved solar heat gain performance - pre-painted frames and sashes to eliminate the need for secondary high-cost trips by a painter - pre-mounted brackets for quick installation of sunscreen blinds - lower roof profile with an updated curved architectural design - and a neutral gray color, preferred by consumers and builders, to blend with most roof materials and colors.

Timothy B. Miller, president of VELUX America, says the company is now communicating details of the product and installation warranties, design changes, distribution plans, and other information to its nationwide dealer network. "We have already met with some customer groups," Miller says. "But this public announcement marks the beginning of an intensive three-month national contact program involving our management group and sales personnel meeting with their respective customers to explain and implement the changes." Miller says the transition to the new products will take place through a phase-in program designed to have minimal effects on existing inventories. The regional rollout program will begin on the West Coast in January 2010 and continue through April with completion on the East Coast.

"While many companies were consolidating and holding the line during the most difficult economic climate in our lifetime," Miller says, "VELUX has made the largest product development investment in company history. We believe there is no better time to invest in our market, strengthen our leadership position, demonstrate our commitment to bolstering the skylight category, and support our dealers."

After three years of research, development, and testing, The No Leak Skylight addresses concerns the trade, as well as homeowners, expressed about the category. Research conducted by The Farnsworth Group with trade audiences including architects, builders, remodelers and others involved with specifying, recommending, and installing skylights, confirmed that the number one concern is the perception that all skylights leak.

"The No Leak Skylight should put that concern to rest," Miller says. "We are so confident in our new design, manufacturing, and installation procedures, that we are adding our industry-first 10-year installation warranty to accompany our existing product warranty.

"It is important to point out here," Miller continued, "that existing VELUX skylights, when properly installed, don't leak. But others, especially older plastic bubble skylights have, and our research shows that the whole skylight category has been stigmatized and held back because of that problem." Miller says that VELUX has always warranted its skylights against leaking. "But the newly designed deck mounted skylights feature three layers of water protection, including a new gasket that seals to the roof deck. This, combined with new time and money saving installation materials and methods, and the installation warranty, which applies even if we don't install the skylight, should give specifiers, installers and homeowners complete confidence," he says.

"While deck mounted skylights are the flagship products of the new skylight line," Miller says, "we are confident that the new curb mounted and pan-flashed skylights, which share many of the improvements with the deck mounted products, are even more dependable than in the past. They will round out a much improved next generation family of skylights with a solution for all installation requirements."

Miller points out that VELUX is an ENERGY STAR partner and was Partner of the Year in 2002. "This recognition of the energy efficient qualities of earlier company products, and of the VELUX commitment to quality manufacturing and sustainability, will be strengthened with the new line of products, which are designed to meet existing and future ENERGY STAR guidelines," he says.

VELUX is the world leader in skylights and roof windows and is one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. VELUX America products are available nationwide through home centers, building material suppliers, lumberyards, and independent door, window, or roofing retailers. Consumers can access complete product information and can locate local suppliers and installation information, at www.veluxusa.com. VELUX will mail consumers literature on the benefits of bringing more natural light and ventilation into the home and workplace and on skylight selection, as well as on solar water heating systems. Call 1-800-283-2831 or request via e-mail at www.veluxusa.com.

Media Contact:
Keith Hobbs - Business Services Associates, Inc. - 9413 Greenfield Drive -
Raleigh, NC 27615-2306 - Phone - 919.844.0064 - E-mail - [email protected]

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