Old Velux windows, can I refurb myself?

[lizzy2mellow]

Hi, I bought a house 5 years ago and the 3 velux windows were quite shabby. Now they are really horrid with mould inside between the glass. I just cannot afford to replace. Is there anyway I can open them up to clean the inside and put back together? Also the wood looks like it is going black/green, can this be removed easily and re varnished?
Thanks Lizzy

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Velux windows contain double glazing units and it sounds as though your units have failed. The only solution is to replace the DG units - repairing tham in the way you propose is a complete waste of time because DG units are normally assembled with a partial vacuum inside (I believe). Any decent glazier should be able to supply units made to the size you specify. The DG units are held in place from the underside with pinned glazing beads (simple rectangular or trapezoid section in my experience, but they will need something like a bead of glazing silicone around the outside of the glass to weatherproof them)

The tilting section of Veluxes are easily removed (takes 2 minutes, no tools required) and both the frames and casements (the bit holding the glass) can be scraped and sanded before refinishing (stained and lacquered - exterior grade). If there are any iron stains bleach them out with oxallic acid (bought as crystals from a pro decorator shop and diluted) first and neutralise though. I've done this a number of times for customers and I'd say that so long as you don't want a blond wood effect it is a simple enough task

Some spares, such as blinds, etc are available from Velux themselves