Our 8 Flashing Kits – All You Need To Know
So.. you have chosen the perfect roof window for your project, but then you are met with the sometimes-baffling question of ‘which flashing kit do you need?’.
It may come as a surprise to some that not everyone is aware that a roof window needs a flashing kit or what its purpose is.
Here is everything you need to know about our flashing kits, including their purpose and which roofing material they are best suited for.
What Are Flashing Kits?
Flashing kits are manufactured from a flexible aluminium that can be moulded to the shape of your roof tile, should it be required.
They are used in roof window installation and when fully constructed; they act as a surround for your window.
Why Are They Needed?
There are two main reasons as to why you will need a flashing kit for your roof window installation:
Weatherproofing – The flashing kit is an integral component when it comes to utilising a roof window within your roof structure.
When installing a roof window, your actual structural opening needs to be slightly larger to accommodate it. The flashing kit is then used to cover the remainder of the structural opening to prevent leaks.
What’s more is that the flashing kit has been designed to allow water to drain from the tiles/slates above, past the roof window and on to the tiles/slates below.
This ensures that your roof isn’t affected by the elements and continues to drain as though the roof window wasn’t there in the first place.
Guarantee – We always advise purchasing and using a genuine flashing kit when ordering a roof window, due to the guarantee that comes with it.
If a roof window has been incorrectly installed or an installer has manufactured their own flashing kit and not utilised a genuine and compatible kit for their roof window, your guarantee may be voided.
A voided guarantee will mean you may not be covered should you experience any issues such as leaks in the future.
What Are My Options?
When it comes to flashing kits, the options are ever growing with new designs made available almost every year.
As a recognised supplier of RoofLITE+ & VELUX, here are the flashing kits that you can expect to find on our website.
RoofLITE+ LSX Slate Flashing
Profile Thickness – 0-8mm
Roof Pitch – 15-90 degrees
One of the most popular flashing kits available for the RoofLITE+ roof window is the LSX Slate Flashing. Up until a few years ago, the standard slate flashing had multiple individual soakers for each slate.
However, the LSX is a one-piece side element flashing quite like the tile flashing kits and because you are only using two side elements in total, as opposed to multiple soakers.
The use of an LSX flashing can shave up to 15 minutes of your installation time PER window.
RoofLITE+ TFX Flashing
Profile Thickness – 16-50mm
Roof Pitch – 15-90 degrees
The TFX Tile Flashing Kit is one of the most commonly used flashings in the RoofLITE+ range, due to various tiles meeting its criteria for profile thickness.
The main difference you will notice with a tile flashing kit in comparison to a slate flashing kit is that they will have a corrugated apron, whereas a slate kit will have a flat apron.
RoofLITE+ UFX Universal Flashing
Profile Thickness – 16-120mm
Roof Pitch – 15-90 degrees
A UFX Universal Flashing can be used on pretty much any tile that has a profile thickness over 16mm, however, it isn’t always necessary.
The UFX flashing is best suited for any tile with a profile thickness of between 50-120mm or in those instances where you are not sure whether your tile falls into the 16-50mm profile thickness that the TFX covers.
VELUX EDL Slate Flashing
Profile Thickness – 0-8mm
Roof Pitch – 15-90 degrees
The EDL Slate Flashing is VELUX’s version of a flashing kit compatible with slate roofs.
It is suitable for the same type of profile thicknesses and roof pitches as the LSX by RoofLITE+, but the EDL still uses the individual soaker system that RoofLITE+ used to use.
This is because this installation technique technique is relatively popular amongst installers who only specialise in VELUX roof windows.
VELUX EDW Tile Flashing
Profile Thickness – 0-120mm
Roof Pitch – 15-90 degrees
Arguably one of the most used flashing kits in the entire roof window market, the EDW Tile Flashing Kit is well renowned for its versatility as it can be used with any roof tile with a profile thickness of up to 120mm.
Despite its well-known versatility, the EDW has a corrugated apron, and it has been known to look out of sorts when installed on flat tiles under 14mm profile thickness.
This is ultimately down to personal preference, but something to bear in mind.
VELUX EDP Plain Tile Flashing
Profile Thickness – 0-14mm
Roof Pitch – 25-90 degrees
If you have a roof tile with a profile thickness of 14mm or under, then the EDP Plain Tile Flashing Kit is the most suitable option, especially if the idea of a corrugated apron on a flat tile doesn’t quite tickle your fancy.
The additional measure to bear in mind is that the EDP flashing is only compatible with roof pitches between 25-90 degrees, which is significantly different to all other flashing kits on this list.
VELUX EDJ Recessed Tile Flashing
Profile Thickness – 0-90mm
Roof Pitch – 20-90 Degrees
The VELUX EDJ Flashing is an option to consider should you wish to have your roof window recessed into your tile roof.
This flashing kit will be compatible with most roof tiles on the market due to its versatility and has been designed specifically for those who want a recessed finish on their roof.
Velux EDN Recessed Slate Flashing
Profile Thickness – 0-8mm
Roof Pitch – 20-90 Degrees
The VELUX EDN Flashing is an option to consider should you wish to have your roof window recessed into your slate roof.
This flashing kit will be compatible with roof slates that have a profile thickness between 0-8mm. It has been designed specifically for those who want a recessed finish on their roof.
You will have to consider that all recessed flashing kits from VELUX are only suitable for roof pitches between 20-90 degrees.
Please also bear in mind that the thicker your roofing material is, the more recessed your roof window will be.
As pointed out, flashings are extremely important to your roof window installation and it is important you purchase the correct one.
AC Supplies is on hand to answer all questions related to flashings, roof windows and any other products we supply. Contact our team via telephone, email or live chat if you have any questions at all.