Thinking about bringing more natural light into your Australian home? You’ve come to the right place. This guide is all about helping you navigate your options, focusing on a major global player, Velux, and comparing it with innovative Australian-designed alternatives like Vivid Skylights. We’ll get into the real-world differences in how they’re built, how they perform, and which might be a better fit for local conditions, especially if you’re living somewhere like Bayside.
Understanding Your Skylight Options
Deciding to install a skylight is a big move. It’s an investment that does more than just let in light—it can genuinely transform a room, cut down on your power bills, and fill your home with a beautiful, natural glow. It’s no surprise the demand for brighter, more sustainable living spaces is on the rise.
This isn’t just a local trend, either. It’s happening worldwide. The global skylight market was valued at around USD 3.08 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit USD 4.44 billion by 2028. That’s a huge jump, and it shows just how much people everywhere are realising the benefits of daylighting. If you’re interested in the numbers, you can dig into the full market report here.
Navigating the Brands: Velux and Vivid
As you start looking around, one name you’ll see pop up constantly is Velux. They’re a global giant, and for many, a skylight Velux product is the go-to standard. They have a massive range, from simple fixed skylights to high-tech solar-powered models with rain sensors and built-in blinds, all backed by a solid warranty and a worldwide reputation.
But the biggest name isn’t automatically the best choice for every home. This is especially true here in Australia, where our climate and building styles have their own unique quirks. That’s where a company like Vivid Skylights comes into the picture. They offer a completely different perspective, one that was developed right here, based on hands-on building experience.
The real difference comes down to their design philosophy. Velux provides a fantastic, comprehensive range of products for the global market. Vivid Skylights, on the other hand, was started by an Australian builder to specifically fix the common problems he kept seeing on Australian roofs.
Why Local Design Matters for Bayside Skylights
If you live in a coastal area like Bayside, a skylight has to do more than just look good and let in light—it needs to stand up to our unique weather. Vivid Skylights were designed from the ground up with these challenges in mind. One of their biggest innovations is the frameless finish.
Here’s why that’s a game-changer:
- No More Water Pooling: A traditional framed skylight can create a mini-dam on your roof. When it rains, water gets trapped against the frame. As it dries, it leaves behind dirt, salt, and grime, creating ugly water stains that block your view.
- A Self-Cleaning Design: Vivid’s frameless edge lets water, leaves, and other debris slide right off. It cleverly uses natural rainfall to help keep the glass clean, meaning less maintenance for you.
- Built for Aussie Roofs: These skylights are made to fit perfectly with the most common Australian roofing systems and materials, which often makes the installation process a lot smoother for local tradies.
Our aim here is to cut through the marketing and give you a straight-up, practical comparison. Once you understand the distinct strengths of each brand—from Velux’s proven global track record to Vivid’s purpose-built Australian design—you’ll be in a much better position to choose the right solution to brighten up your home.
Quick Look Velux vs Vivid Skylights
To give you a clearer picture, let’s break down the key differences between Velux, the international heavyweight, and Vivid Skylights, the Australian-designed specialist. This table offers a high-level snapshot to help you see where each brand shines.
| Feature | Skylight Velux | Vivid Skylights |
|---|---|---|
| Design Origin | Danish design, created for a global market with a wide range of climate considerations. | Australian design, specifically engineered by a builder to address local roofing issues. |
| Key Feature | Broad product range with advanced options like solar power, rain sensors, and blinds. | Signature frameless design that prevents water pooling and promotes self-cleaning. |
| Installation | Requires specific flashing kits tailored to different international roof types. | Designed for seamless integration with common Australian roofing systems and materials. |
| Best For | Homeowners looking for a globally recognised brand with extensive features and options. | Homeowners in Australia, especially coastal areas, wanting a low-maintenance, durable fit. |
Ultimately, both brands offer quality products, but they come from different perspectives. Velux brings decades of global engineering and a vast feature set to the table, while Vivid offers a solution finely tuned to the practical realities of Australian homes and weather. Understanding this core difference is the first step in making the right choice for your project.
What to Know About Velux Skylights
When you start digging into skylights, you’ll find one name popping up everywhere: Velux. It’s no accident. For decades, this brand has pretty much set the global standard, building a massive reputation for quality, reliability, and having a product for just about every situation. For many homeowners and builders, a skylight Velux installation is the go-to, a trusted choice for letting natural light pour into a home.
The real strength of Velux is its sheer variety. They have a massive catalogue that covers almost any need or budget you can think of. This goes from simple, elegant fixed skylights that just let the light in, all the way to sophisticated solar-powered “Fresh Air” models. The top-tier versions come packed with features like remote controls, built-in blinds, and even rain sensors that automatically shut the window when it starts to drizzle. That breadth of choice is a huge part of their worldwide appeal.
Performance and Compliance
One of the big reasons Velux has such a strong foothold in Australia is its commitment to meeting our strict building codes and standards. This gives you real peace of mind, knowing your investment is built to handle tough local conditions and will perform as promised.
Velux products go through rigorous testing to make sure they hit critical benchmarks for glazing, bushfire resistance, and performance in cyclonic weather. This dedication to compliance makes them a safe bet, especially for projects where getting the right certifications is non-negotiable.
But it’s not just about ticking boxes. Velux skylights are engineered for serious performance. They typically use double glazing filled with argon gas and finished with Low-E coatings. This combination does two things really well:
- Boosts thermal efficiency: It helps keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, which means you lean less on your heating and air conditioning.
- Cuts down on noise: The glazing helps muffle outside sounds like heavy rain or traffic, making for a much quieter, more peaceful home.
The Traditional Framed Design
A defining feature of most Velux skylights is their traditional framed design. This means the glass pane sits inside a visible frame, which is then sealed into the roof with a specific flashing kit. It’s a method that’s been tried and tested all over the world and works perfectly well for a huge range of architectural styles.
However, this classic design isn’t without its challenges, particularly here in Australia. Because the frame sits proud on the roof, it can act like a small dam. This is a crucial point of difference when you compare a skylight Velux with a locally designed alternative.
Vivid Skylights, an Australian-owned brand, was actually started by a builder who saw this problem firsthand on countless job sites. Our signature feature is a frameless finish, where the glass runs right to the edge. This clever design stops water from pooling on top of the skylight, which on framed models often leads to a buildup of dirt and leaves behind ugly water marks.
This distinction is especially important if you live in coastal areas like Bayside. The frameless design of Vivid Skylights lets rain and debris wash straight off, using our own weather to keep the glass clean with minimal effort. While Velux offers a robust, globally recognised product, Vivid’s design directly solves a common headache for Australian homeowners. You can learn more about the different types of skylights available and see how their construction makes a real difference.
How Vivid Skylights Are Built for Australia
While a skylight Velux product is a trusted name around the world, an alternative has popped up that was engineered from the ground up to solve the unique challenges Australian homes face. Vivid Skylights weren’t dreamed up in a corporate boardroom for a global market; they were conceived on a worksite by an Aussie builder who kept running into the same problems with traditional skylights, job after job.
This hands-on origin story is really the key to what makes them different. The whole design is built around being practical and tough enough for our local climate. The mission was to make a skylight that not only floods a room with light but also holds its own against our intense sun and torrential downpours, all while fitting perfectly with common Aussie roofing materials.
The Frameless Finish: A Clever Solution
The real standout innovation in every Vivid Skylight is its signature frameless design. To get why this is such a game-changer, you just need to think about what happens to a normal skylight when it rains.
Picture a standard framed skylight on your roof. That frame, sitting proud of the glass, acts like a tiny dam. When it rains, water pools up against the raised edge. As it dries, it leaves behind a grimy film of dirt, dust, and coastal salt. Before you know it, you’ve got stubborn water marks blocking the view and that precious light.
Vivid’s frameless edge completely sidesteps this issue. The glass runs right to the edge, creating a smooth, uninterrupted surface.
This simple but brilliant design means water and debris have nowhere to sit. Instead, they just slide straight off, letting natural rainfall do most of the cleaning for you. It’s a low-maintenance approach born from real-world building experience.
This is a huge plus for homeowners looking for Bayside skylights, where the mix of rain and salty sea air can make framed skylights look grubby in no time. The frameless finish keeps your view cleaner and clearer for longer, with a lot less effort from you.
Built for Australian Roofing Systems
Another massive difference is how Vivid Skylights are made to fit our roofs. While international brands have all sorts of flashing kits to make their products work with different roofing standards around the world, Vivid was designed specifically for Australian roofs from day one.
This focus on local compatibility has some real practical upsides:
- Seamless Integration: Vivid Skylights are designed to work perfectly with the most common roofing materials in Australia, like Colorbond steel and standard roof tiles.
- Simpler Installation: Because they’re made for local structures, the installation is often more straightforward for Aussie tradies, which can cut down on labour time and complexity.
- Watertight Confidence: The flashing system is purpose-built to handle the unique profiles and challenges of our roofs, guaranteeing a tough, weather-resistant seal.
This focus on local building methods is a core part of Vivid’s DNA. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about giving builders a solution they’d confidently put on their own projects because they know it’s the right tool for the job.
Durability Meets Sleek Aesthetics
On top of all the practical benefits, the frameless design just looks better. It gives you a clean, minimalist look that sits flush with the roofline, creating a much sleeker profile than a lot of the bulky, traditional framed units. This modern appearance is exactly what people are after in contemporary Australian architecture.
But this sleekness doesn’t mean it’s flimsy. Every Vivid Skylight is built with a solid, black powder-coated aluminium frame hidden beneath the glass for structural strength. They also use double-glazed glass for fantastic thermal performance, which helps keep your home comfortable all year round.
When you’re comparing a skylight Velux model to a Vivid Skylight, you’re really looking at two different mindsets. Velux has a huge, feature-packed catalogue backed by a global reputation. Vivid offers a focused, purpose-built solution that directly tackles the weak points of traditional skylights in the Australian environment. For many homeowners, especially in coastal spots like Bayside, that practical, low-maintenance design is exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
Velux vs Vivid: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Choosing the right skylight often comes down to a classic dilemma: do you go with the established, global giant or the purpose-built local specialist? When you put a skylight Velux model next to one from Vivid Skylights, you’re looking at two fantastic but fundamentally different ways to bring daylight into your home.
Let’s break down the critical differences in design, performance, and installation that really matter to Australian homeowners.
Design and Aesthetics
The first thing you’ll notice is the design philosophy. Velux has a long-standing reputation built on a traditional, framed design. The glass pane sits neatly inside a visible frame, a classic look that has been a staple in homes around the world for decades. It’s a tried-and-true approach.
Vivid Skylights, on the other hand, was born from a builder’s frustration with the status quo. They developed a modern, frameless finish right here in Australia. With this design, the glass extends right to the edge of the unit, creating a sleek, unbroken surface that sits flush against your roofline.
A traditional Velux unit has a more defined, classic profile that can work beautifully with certain architectural styles. On a modern home with clean lines, however, that frame can sometimes feel a bit bulky.
Vivid’s frameless design is all about that clean, contemporary aesthetic. It integrates seamlessly into the roof, creating an illusion that the glass is almost floating there. For homeowners chasing a minimalist look, particularly in areas like Bayside, this sleek profile is a huge drawcard.
Performance in Australian Weather
This design difference isn’t just about looks; it has a major impact on performance, especially when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. A framed skylight, by its very nature, creates a small lip around the glass. In Australia, where we get heavy downpours followed by intense sun, this becomes a trap.
Rainwater pools up against the frame, collecting leaves, dust, and coastal salt. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind a grimy film and ugly water marks. This means you’re up on the roof cleaning it more often just to keep it looking good.
The frameless design from Vivid sidesteps this problem entirely. Because the surface is smooth and edgeless, rainwater and debris just sheet straight off. This natural self-cleaning action is a game-changer, especially for Bayside skylights battling salty air, as it dramatically cuts down on maintenance.
This diagram shows how three key factors contribute to the energy efficiency of a high-performance skylight like a Velux or Vivid unit.
As you can see, high-performance glazing and solid insulation are crucial for managing heat, a non-negotiable feature for both brands in the Australian climate.
Installation and Compatibility
Both brands are engineered to create a perfect, watertight seal. A skylight Velux installation uses a wide range of specific flashing kits, designed to adapt their global product to all sorts of international roof types. These systems are proven and highly effective when installed by the book.
Vivid Skylights, however, were designed from day one by an Australian builder for Australian roofs. Their flashing kits and installation methods are tailored specifically for common local materials like Colorbond and standard roof tiles. For local tradies, this often means a more familiar and straightforward installation, ensuring a perfect fit for typical Bayside roofs without any fuss.
To make it even clearer, let’s put the key features side-by-side.
Here’s a detailed table breaking down what sets these two excellent brands apart.
Detailed Feature Showdown Velux vs Vivid Skylights
| Attribute | Skylight Velux | Vivid Skylights |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Design | Traditional framed glass, creating a lip on the roof surface. | Modern frameless finish, with glass extending to the edge. |
| Water Runoff | Frame can cause water to pool, leading to dirty water marks. | Frameless edge promotes complete runoff, aiding self-cleaning. |
| Aesthetics | Classic, more prominent appearance on the roofline. | Sleek, minimalist profile that sits flush with the roof. |
| Origin | Danish design for a global market, with a wide feature set. | Australian design by a builder for local roofing conditions. |
| Maintenance | Requires more frequent cleaning to remove grime from the frame. | Lower maintenance due to the self-cleaning nature of the design. |
Ultimately, both are quality choices. Velux offers a globally recognised product with extensive features, while Vivid provides a smart, Australian-designed solution built to solve the specific maintenance and aesthetic challenges we face here.
Installation and Cost for Your Bayside Home
So, you’ve picked out the perfect skylight. That’s a huge step, but the job’s only half done. A brilliant product is one thing, but a flawless installation is what transforms it into a lasting, leak-free feature of your home. This is especially true here in the Bayside area, where any installation has to hold up against our coastal weather and suit common local roof styles.
Whether you’ve got your heart set on a skylight Velux model or a Vivid Skylight, the entire project’s success boils down to getting the installation spot-on. It’s about more than just cutting a hole in the roof; it’s about finding a pro who knows their stuff and understanding the true total cost so your investment brings you joy, not headaches.
Finding a Qualified Installer
Let’s be clear: not all builders or roofers are skylight specialists. A proper installation is a skilled job. It requires precision when cutting through roofing, building a structurally sound opening, and—most importantly—fitting the flashing kit perfectly to create a watertight seal. Get this wrong, and you’re looking at leaks, draughts, and expensive damage down the line.
When you’re looking for an installer in the Bayside area, here’s what to look for:
- Specific Experience: Don’t be afraid to ask if they’ve installed your chosen brand before, whether it’s Velux or Vivid.
- Local Knowledge: An installer who works in Bayside will know the typical roof pitches and materials inside out.
- Proper Licensing and Insurance: This is non-negotiable. It’s your safety net.
The Critical Role of Flashing Kits
Think of a flashing kit as a custom-made metal shield that forms a waterproof barrier between the skylight frame and your roof. It’s probably the single most important part for preventing leaks. Both Velux and Vivid supply high-quality flashing kits made specifically for their products.
The main difference comes down to their design origins. A skylight Velux installation often uses kits designed to be adaptable for roof types all over the world. On the other hand, Vivid Skylights were designed by an Australian builder, so our flashing kits are tailor-made for common Aussie roofing like Colorbond and tiles. For Bayside installers, this local focus can make the fitting process much more straightforward.
Breaking Down the Total Investment
Budgeting for a skylight means looking at the big picture. The price you see on the box is just the beginning. To get a realistic idea of the final bill, you need to factor in everything that goes into the project.
The total cost of a skylight installation is a sum of its parts: the unit price, labour costs from a qualified professional, any necessary structural work, and optional extras like blinds or automation. Overlooking these additional costs can lead to budget surprises down the line.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for:
- The Skylight Unit: The price here can vary a lot depending on the brand, size, and features like fixed vs. opening, or solar-powered options.
- Labour Costs: This could be anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. A steep, tiled roof is a more complex and costly job than a standard-pitch metal one.
- Structural Work: If the skylight needs to go where roof trusses or rafters are, an engineer or experienced builder will have to frame the opening properly, which adds to the cost.
- Interior Finishing: Once the skylight is in, you’ll need to plaster, sand, and paint the new light well to make it look seamless.
- Optional Extras: Want automated block-out blinds, rain sensors, or fly screens? These features will increase the total investment.
While a DIY job might seem tempting, we always recommend professional installation. It ensures the job is done right and keeps your warranty valid. For a closer look at what’s involved, check out our guide on how to install a skylight. Understanding the process will help you have a much better chat with your installer.
Which Skylight Is Best for Your Home
So, how do you pull all this information together and make the final call? Choosing between a Velux skylight and a Vivid Skylight isn’t about finding a single “best” product. It’s really about matching the right skylight to your home, your aesthetic, and your priorities as an Australian homeowner.
Let’s walk through a couple of common scenarios you might find yourself in when looking at Bayside skylights. Thinking about it this way should help you figure out which path makes the most sense for your home.
Scenario 1: Your Top Priority is a Sleek Look and Low Maintenance
If you’re aiming for a clean, contemporary feel with as little upkeep as possible, Vivid’s design approach is probably going to be right up your alley. The frameless finish is the big drawcard here. Without a raised frame for water to pool against, rain simply washes dirt and debris straight off the glass.
This “self-cleaning” effect means fewer annoying water marks and less time you have to spend on a ladder with a sponge.
Vivid Skylights were designed by an Australian builder who was tired of dealing with water pooling on traditional framed skylights. This frameless design was created specifically for Australian conditions to keep your skylight looking cleaner for longer.
This focus on hassle-free ownership makes Vivid a fantastic choice for modern homes where clean lines and minimal maintenance are king. The flush profile sits seamlessly on the roof, giving you that sophisticated, integrated look that perfectly complements contemporary architecture.
Scenario 2: You Need Specific Certifications and High-Tech Features
On the flip side, maybe your project has strict requirements, like needing a specific BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating. Or perhaps you’re after all the bells and whistles. In that case, the massive Velux skylight range offers undeniable peace of mind. Velux is a global giant with a long history and provides all the documentation you need for compliance with various Australian Standards.
Their product catalogue is also much deeper, offering smart features that Vivid currently doesn’t, such as:
- Solar-powered models that open and close
- Integrated rain sensors that shut the window automatically when it starts to rain
- A huge variety of factory-fitted blinds and shades
If you absolutely must have an opening skylight for ventilation, or if your build requires a specific certification, Velux offers a proven, feature-packed solution. Their established reputation and extensive options give you a ton of flexibility and assurance.
Ultimately, the best choice really boils down to what you value most for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you’re weighing up a global powerhouse like Velux against an innovative, Australian-designed alternative, it’s only natural to have a few questions. We get it. Here are some straightforward answers to help Bayside homeowners feel confident in their choice.
What Is the Main Design Difference Between Velux and Vivid Skylights?
The biggest difference you’ll notice right away is in the finish of the glass. Most skylight Velux models use a traditional framed design. Think of it like a picture frame – a visible border sits on your roof, holding the glass pane securely in place.
Vivid Skylights, on the other hand, are known for their signature frameless finish. This is a modern approach, pioneered by an Australian builder, where the glass extends right to the very edge. This design prevents water from pooling on top and leaving dirty water marks. The result is a clean, uninterrupted surface that sits incredibly flush with your roofline for a sleek, contemporary look.
Are Vivid Skylights As Weatherproof As Velux?
Absolutely. Both brands are engineered to be completely weatherproof and built tough enough for harsh Australian conditions. Velux products are put through their paces with rigorous testing to meet Australian Standards for weather resistance.
Vivid Skylights were designed from the ground up by an Australian builder who knows our weather inside and out. The frameless design isn’t just for looks; it actively helps with water runoff during those heavy downpours. It’s a smart feature that’s particularly handy for coastal homes in places like Bayside.
“The core idea behind our frameless finish was to solve a common problem. Traditional frames act like a dam, trapping water and dirt. Our design lets rain wash the glass clean, which is a simple but effective solution for Australian conditions.”
Which Skylight Is Easier to Keep Clean?
This is where the Vivid Skylights design really shines. That frameless edge is the key to easier maintenance. Since there’s no frame for water and debris to pool against, they simply slide right off. This natural, self-cleaning action dramatically cuts down on the buildup of grime and those annoying dirty water marks.
While Velux skylights are certainly high-quality, their framed construction can sometimes mean more frequent cleaning to keep them looking pristine. The design of a skylight can make a real difference to your home’s long-term upkeep, and you can dive deeper into the general benefits of skylights here.
Ready to flood your home with beautiful, natural light? At Vivid Skylights, we offer a premium, Australian-designed solution that is both stylish and incredibly low-maintenance. Explore our range of fixed and opening skylights today. https://vividskylights.com.au