Velux Solar Skylight and Blind Installation in Esher, Surrey
When a homeowner in Esher, Surrey asked us to bring their flat-roof skylights into the modern age, we knew the upgrade would transform their living space. The two existing fixed units let daylight in, but offered nothing beyond that: no ventilation on warm days, no shade when the sun climbed overhead, no way to clear out the stuffiness of a summer afternoon. Our brief was to swap them for two Velux solar-powered roof windows with matching solar-powered blinds, bringing active control to a room that had been getting only half the benefit of its glazing.
The brief
The client had two flat-glass skylights sitting proud on the flat roof of their Esher home. The units did their basic job of letting daylight through, but they had been installed as fixed, sealed panels. That meant no fresh air on warm afternoons, no way to release trapped heat in the summer, and no shade control when sunlight became glare.
What the homeowner wanted was a full upgrade: two modern Velux solar-powered roof windows paired with matching solar blinds. Both products are fully motorised yet completely wireless, because Velux’s solar-powered range runs on a compact battery recharged by a small integrated photovoltaic panel. That keeps the installation clean and quick, with no mains cabling to chase through ceilings or walls.
Out with the old, in with the new
Replacing a flush-fitted skylight sounds simple until you get onto the roof. Each old unit had to come out cleanly, without disturbing the flat roof membrane around it. We carefully cut back the existing sealant, released the glass from the kerb, and lifted the old unit clear. That left the timber kerb exposed, inspected, and ready to receive the new Velux frame.
Next, the new unit was offered up to the opening. Velux windows are precision products: the flashing kit has to sit exactly right against the roof covering so that water drains around the frame, never under it. Once positioned, the window was fixed down through the kerb, the flashing dressed neatly into the felt membrane, and a fresh weatherproof seal struck around the perimeter. With the frame secure, we paired the solar battery with the remote control and ran the motorised opening mechanism through a full open and close cycle to confirm smooth operation.
Smart skylights in action
With both windows installed and commissioned, the transformation was immediate. The homeowner can now open either window at the press of a remote, flooding the room with fresh air, and close them again just as easily. The integrated rain sensor takes care of any unexpected weather: the moment it detects moisture, the window closes itself, so nobody has to keep an eye on the sky.
The matching Velux solar blinds deliver shade and privacy on demand. Because each blind draws its power from its own compact solar cell, no extra wiring was needed inside the ceiling or wall. A separate remote controls the blinds independently, so the homeowner can dial down harsh summer sunshine without having to touch the window itself.
The finished result
Two tired fixed skylights are now a pair of modern, motorised roof windows with their own dedicated shading. The client has gained ventilation, shade, and automatic rain response, all without a single visible cable. The flat roof is fully watertight, the finish is crisp, and the flow of natural daylight has not only been preserved but put under the homeowner’s complete control.
Frequently asked questions
Do Velux solar-powered roof windows need mains wiring?
No. Velux solar-powered windows (the Integra range) run on a rechargeable battery inside the frame, which is topped up by a small photovoltaic panel integrated into the window itself. That removes the need to run mains cabling through ceilings or walls, which is particularly useful on retrofit projects like this one.
How do the solar-powered blinds work on cloudy days?
The solar blinds store power in their own internal battery, which is charged whenever daylight reaches the compact solar cell on the unit. Even on overcast days, ambient daylight is enough to keep the battery topped up during normal use. The blinds will still operate through a run of dull weather because each movement uses only a small amount of stored power.
What is included in a Velux solar window installation?
A full installation covers removing the old unit, preparing the opening, fitting the new Velux frame with its flashing kit, dressing the roof membrane or tiles back around the window, sealing the perimeter, pairing the solar battery and remote, and running the motorised open and close cycle to commission the window. For solar blinds, the unit is clipped into the frame and paired with its own remote.
If you’re considering a similar upgrade, explore our full range of Velux pitched roof windows, roof window blinds, and flat glass skylights. You can also browse more of our recent installations to see how other homes across Surrey and the South East have been transformed.