Important Notice re Velux Windows

V Important Information Re: Velux Windows

It has come to the attention of the National Guild of Master Craftsmen of a serious product fault with Velux Windows.  This serious product fault has been detected in Velux Windows of a specific size and age.  The age relates to Velux windows manufactured between 1997 and 2003.

The following correspondence from Velux is as a result of our enquiries and includes telephone numbers that can be contacted for assistance.
"The occurrence of double glazed sealed units breaking in this way is very rare but it is a known and understood occurrence within all such products using double glazed units. Thermal cracking of the inner pane can be caused by a variety of factors.  It is usually associated with a large temperature difference between the outside and the inside of the pane due to a cold snap of weather.  Atmospheric pressure differences between the outside and the inside of the pane; gas leaking from between the panes through the silicone seal which can contribute to pressure differences; microscopic defects that naturally occur during the manufacturing process of the glass or any surface tension damage to the float glass such as scratches or chips - can all also contribute to the unit failing.  A further factor that should be taken into consideration is that the smaller the glazing unit, the less tolerance it has to the movement caused by one or a combination of these factors.   You may wish to visit the following websites for further information on glass breakage:
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/spontaneousglassbreakage
www.thewindowman.co.uk/explode.htm
www.velux-pw.ie
VELUX monitor product performance and noticed that we had registered a level of spontaneous glass breakage in a specific type of small pane produced and sold between 1997 and 2003.  Under specific conditions, generally experienced in the winter, there is a minor risk that the inner glass may break spontaneously, with the possibility of glass fragments falling.   We take the quality of our products seriously and after thorough investigation decided to issue a product warning in June 2011 to inform our customers.   The media schedule consisted of:
Irish Times
Irish Independent
Sunday Independent
Metro Herald (Dublin)
Belfast Telegraph

In addition to the media schedule we have published information on the VELUX website, social media sites and via local trading standards offices.   We have directly mailed approximately 7000 addresses in Ireland that we have identified as having VELUX windows of this specific size and age installed.

We are still trying to track customers who have these windows installed, if you can help us find these products which are 39cm (15.5”) or less and 8 to 14-year-old, please contact VELUX directly with the homeowners address details.   VELUX will replace the glazing free of charge as part of our guarantee.

VELUX Contact Details:
Tel:                1800 509 628  (Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm)
e-mail:             This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
web:                www.velux.ie "

For our part we are extremely concerned re the health risk associated with shattering glass and we feel disappointed by the reaction of Velux since this problem arose.   We feel that they  have been reactive to the problem and not proactive in relation to this product fault.   Put bluntly we feel there should have been a "product recall" and not a "product warning".
 
We will continue to liaise with Velux and keep our members up to date on the situation.
 
We have referred this matter to the Consumer Association of Ireland and a file has been opened at their offices Ref: 21215
 
Yours sincerely,
 
 
Pat Doyle
 
National Guild of Master Craftsmen
3 Greenmount Lane,
Harolds Cross
Dublin 12
 
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel 014732543
Company Reg No: I.E. 8248009V