Best Rooflights

[BigBudgie]

Hello

Having just bought our van, we are currently looking at putting some rooflights in.

Wanting to get some feedback on your experiences of pros and cons of various models...

Currently looking at getting basic MPK opaque 400x400 rooflights (screens etc), or alternatively Fiamma crystal top 400x400...

What difference in light is there with opaque vs clear rooflights?

Any brands better than others, etc etc??

Thanks!
-Sally

 

[ellisboy]

Hello Sally ! clear ones let in more light,are you building a self build? if so have a look at the sbmcc forum,its a goldmine of self build info
regards Stephen

 

[vwalan]

best not to have them. can be a source of water ingress . leave them up catch trees etc. when i built mine i put the windows high to give chimney effect. try it with out for a while they can be added later if you really need them. no holes in roof is a much better idea. having been building campers and truck expedition vehicles for a living i wont have roof lights in my truck nothing but trouble.cheers alan.

 

[jogguk]

Hello

Having just bought our van, we are currently looking at putting some rooflights in.

Wanting to get some feedback on your experiences of pros and cons of various models...

Currently looking at getting basic MPK opaque 400x400 rooflights (screens etc), or alternatively Fiamma crystal top 400x400...

What difference in light is there with opaque vs clear rooflights?

Any brands better than others, etc etc??

Thanks!
-Sally

Hi Sally,

I like the vents with built in fans, very good at extracting the warm moisture laden air in the mornings and help clear the condensation from the windows. Similarly they can evacuate heat soak quickly when returning to your van after leaving it parked up in the hot sun !!

The better quality models "Fantastic Fan" (American made) are powerful and reasonably quiet, also the fan blades are crystal clear and have a fine wire mesh fly screen so don't restrict the light. Some models have thermostatic control which will automatically open the lid and turn on when a pre-set temp is triggered,and rain sensors which will close the lid if it rains and reopens when rain stops!. Maybe useful if you leave dogs in the van?

In my experience the rain sensor can be a bit of a damn nuisance though. it can be overridden. If you plan on visiting hotter climates than UK consider a fan powered roof vent essential. They can easily keep the interior comfortable on quiet hot days by sucking cooler air in from the side windows on the shady side of the van and evacuating out the vent.

Having just praised the virtues of powered vents you may also consider the car type glass pop up sun roofs? I have had these on various van type conversions, gives a more custom stealth camper look. Main advantage is that they can be left open (popped up) when travelling and are quite quiet when at speed. The glass can be removed completely and with the aid of a step up you can hang out and wash the van roof!! Main disadvantage is you need to get out of bed in the night to close them if it starts to rain, whereas a proper roof vent can be left open a bit even when raining because of the big overlap.

--John