Velux windows - any alternative makes to consider?

[Nomad]

I'm looking at replacing a traditional "tiles on timer frame" roof in a cottage, it now has a Velux window fitted.
Are there any other manufacturers to consider?

Reasons for change :
Poor workmanship on the near-new roof (letting in water / badly cut beams / overloaded & unsupported sections so not able to put solar panels).
If the timber supports are being changed it's the ideal time to fit a better-suited window.

The existing Velux has a remote (solar powered) open / close blackout blind, new window needs similar.

Velux also have an option for a remote open & close controlled by a smartphone (nice !), I found out when I tried to install it that it needs a "house based" wifi, using a phone or mifi / pebble for wifi is rejected by the Velux system. The cottage has no wifi so I can't use the Velux open / close option...

Any suggestions for roof windows with solar powered remote blackout blinds & (maybe) remote open / close options.
Some open / close units work with external rain sensors which would be ideal.

Man thanks

 

[daleyd]

We’ve got a couple of key-light ones, only small but they’ve been fine for the 8 years we’ve had them fitted.

Don’t know about power operation etc as we only have the basic ones but they work fine for us. We did get some manually operated blinds to go inside which were easy enough to fit

 

[JOEPRO]

+1 for key light. I have a large pvc rooflighr of theirs in my bathroom. Self install not a drip or issue 5 years later

 

[Milkybars]

Fitted several velux's earlier in the year. I did look round at other options but for the feaures your listing they are the ones.
Especially the rain sensor one ..its great.

You need to sort out a size and then add the features and work out the codes (it's somewhat confusing)
I got competitive quotes from Roofing superstore (based plymouth way, so may work well for you ?)
in the endif there was damage or issues i wanted to be able to sort it locally and got Jewsons to match the quote from roofing superstore (this did involve opening a trade account)

Could you not get a network setup in the cottage ?? Router with Broadband been supplied via a mobile network

 

[RichardM]

Just had a KeyLite in the conservatory re-roof, seems fine.

 

[pod70]

Another option to look into is Fakro.
The company I used to work for years ago sold them and they were as good as Velux but at the time considerably cheaper. Fitted a pair in my own house about 10 years ago and they are still in great condition.

 

[Nomad]

Thanks everyone, I've have been away for a few days but will look at the suggestions. It's all appreciated.

More info below for anyone who wants the background for this sorry tale, it's not a quick read

Background: this is a cottage that needed a lot of work so I paid a builder to do 75% of the renovation work including fit a new roof.
The main problem: the new roof let water in a few times last winter and got "fixed", no problems in the summer (no rain / wrong type of rain & wind combo?), it's letting water in again this winter.
Secondary problem: the new roof looks pretty but the layout is carp and nothing lines up.
With hindsight, there are a couple of things I would have done differently (some my design, some where the original builder made well-intentioned choices without asking my opinion..)

The room isn't square but the roof could have been done neat. As it is the original timber chap lined all the big timbers up parallel with one of the crooked end walls and all the boards above them parallel to on of the few "good" walls and it all looks cock-eyed.
If the beams had been lined up with the same wall as the boards above them this would never have been a problem

The builder visited a couple of days ago, then again yesterday when he brought a new woodworker / roofer chap.
We spent a while discussing options, he is open to ideas but won't replace the timbers as they're doing what they need to.
He is planning to remove the tiles, fit new waterproof membrane and refit tiles & make good.

It looks like I'll be removing the new timber roof after he strips the tiles, fitting a new timber roof myself to my standards, then he will fit new membrane and refit tiles etc.

This is a tiny open plan cottage so every time you are in bed of relaxing on the sofa you see the Velux window where the misalignment is most obvious


Same problem everywhere...


I'm away now to look at windows, expect questions about "How do I build a timer roof?" in the near future

The good news is taking the tiles off is 50% of the work needed to change the timber, the bad news is none of this should have been needed and I'm now looking at doing work I've already paid somebody good money to do the job once (they got the job as I know it will be a major job for me to do myself - it looks like I'm now doing it myself anyway...). Mixed blessing at best.