John O’Sullivan, Altaterra Housebuilder Sales Manager and Andrew Birch, Technical Support Manager at Altaterra discuss Dakea’s brands heritage, sustainability, successes and plans for the future.
When a brand such as Dakea has heritage and a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and supporting their customers, it’s bound to have a strong reputation throughout its industry.
Dakea is owned by Altaterra, established in the UK in 2001, and part of the VELUX Group, which brings more than 80 years of industry expertise to the market.
Dakea provides high-quality roof windows and accessories, all designed for professionals, throughout the housebuilding sector.
There are many reasons for Dakea to be trusted and liked by its customers, who range from architects to roof window installers. They are budget-friendly, whilst providing high standards of goods and services. Installers consistently praise Dakea’s roof windows and professionals value the high quality products and support matched to an affordable price point.
Dakea also prioritise energy efficiency across their whole range, aware that this is important to many of today’s homeowners who are looking to reduce heat loss from their homes and thus lower their energy bills. For instance, Dakea’s Ultima Comfort series offers roof windows with U-values as low as 0.90 W/m²K, exceeding UK building regulations requirements.
Another huge Dakea benefit is its 20-year guarantee on its pitch roof windows. This is the longest on the market and reflects just how confident Dakea is in the quality of their products.
Can you tell us about a Dakea product which housebuilders should be more aware of?
John O’Sullivan: The Vision Energy (KAI B1600 and KAI B1610) is a fixed, non-opening pitched roof window, so it doesn’t open or ventilate. It’s designed to pair with an openable roof window to help create a space that is high on light, value, compliance and saleability, with simpler roof structure and detailing.
Andrew Birch: The Vision Energy uses a three-pane, two-chamber construction with a Uw value of 1.1 W/m²K which is excellent thermal performance for a roof window. It also features a double low-emission coating that reflects heat back into the room, for increased energy-efficiency and lower bills. For homeowners and developers thinking about running costs and environmental impact, this model can make a real difference.
On top of that, it’s been designed to withstand storms and even category two hurricanes, while the glazing comes with a lifetime guarantee against hail damage. This kind of resilience matters, especially for exposed or elevated properties.
There are some important specific installation requirements Dakea customers should know about on this model of roof window.
The Vision Energy must always be installed alongside an openable Dakea roof window as it can’t function as a standalone product. You’ll also need the correct flashing kit, and there are three options depending on your roof material. And the size of the flashing for the Vision Energy is determined by whichever openable window is installed above it, so you need to plan both together from the outset.
The frame uses FSC-certified Nordic pine, which is a particularly good choice for roof windows because of its density and durability. Dakea guarantees the certification of all the Nordic pine they use, so from a quality and sustainability standpoint, customers know exactly what they’re getting.
What’s more, the Vision Energy model offers a 10-plus-10 year guarantee that’s transferable from homeowner to homeowner. That’s a genuinely useful feature if you’re a housebuilder thinking about resale value because the guarantee stays with the property, it adds tangible value and gives buyers real peace of mind.
Are there any new product news from Dakea that housebuilders should look out for?
John: Yes, we’re proud of the new RCF foil which is a purpose-built underfelt collar designed to create a tight, weatherproof seal around a roof window frame during installation. The problem it solves is one that installers have dealt with for years – achieving a reliable, airtight connection between the window and its surrounding roof construction quickly and without fuss. This product is specifically engineered to make that process faster and more dependable.
Andrew: The foil is corrugated, which means it adapts easily to different roof constructions without needing to be forced or cut into shape. It’s also vapour-permeable, which is a crucial detail as it allows moisture vapour to escape while keeping liquid water firmly out. This balance is exactly what you need in a roof installation when looking to create dry and comfortable homes. By using it, you’re protecting against water seepage without trapping condensation, which over time can cause real damage to the structure around the window.
The Dakea RCF foil delivers improved airtightness around the frame, and it even features an integrated butyl strip that ensures a secure, lasting connection. Butyl is a highly effective sealing material, so you’re not relying on compression alone, it’s bonded properly.
So, what does this mean for the installer?
John: It means less time on the job and fewer headaches! The foil has a tight but flexible fit that’s easy to adjust on site, which is important because no two roof constructions are identical. Crucially, it connects easily with the battens without requiring a Y-cut on the side – that’s a step that traditional installations often demand and which slows everything down. Remove that stage and you save meaningful time per window, which can add up significantly across a project.
The RCF foil launched in April 2026, and from now on it will be sold exclusively with new roof windows. So, if you’re specifying or ordering new Dakea product from that point onwards, it comes as part of the package. Installers will feel the benefit immediately as it will speed up their workflow and give them more confidence in the quality of the seal they’re achieving.
Andrew: One of the most common weak points in a roof window installation is the seal around the frame. If it’s not tight, you lose heat and you can get draughts. Dakea provides an insulation collar known as the IFC which is designed to eliminate any risk of drafts or cold bridging to prevent these issues.
What aftercare and support is available to Dakea customers?
John: At Dakea we’re particularly proud of the level and different types of support we give housebuilders, designers and contractors. Through our website you can access FAQ’s, clear instructional videos and fully downloadable technical documentation. There’s also direct support from Dakea’s technical experts for any installation or product queries. It’s not just about the window itself; the support infrastructure around it is genuinely useful for installers and developers working at scale. We also keep our prices as competitive as possible and deliver direct to site, within 48 hours whenever possible. We can even visit your site to oversee and advise you on the installation of your Dakea roof windows, especially useful when you’re using the brand for the first time.
How does Dakea approach sustainability?
John: At Dakea, sustainability is at the centre of all we do. As a brand, Dakea have long worked to reduce waste and air pollution as well as use low-carbon building materials and FSC-approved wood.
Some of the achievements for Dakea since 2020 are:
- As part of the VELUX Group, we have cut our scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 60%. Dakea’s ambition is to be close to zero by 2030.
- 100% documented renewable electricity across the whole organization, which powers the production of Dakea roof windows.
One of our biggest achievements of 2025 was receiving a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the global company that provides business sustainability ratings across all operations and supply chains. We’re happy to say that EcoVadis place our group among the top 1% of companies ranked worldwide on performance across environmental, social and governance criteria. The platinum sustainability rating reflects our commitment to integrating more sustainable practices throughout our organisation. With sustainability integrated across our organisation and value chain, we’re not just adapting to change – we’re helping to shape our industry and the people it serves.
About Dakea
The flagship brand under Altaterra, Dakea is a specialist manufacturer of high-quality roof windows designed for housebuilders, developers, architects, and installers. Dakea is owned by Altaterra, the company who is part of the VELUX group and is built on more than 80 years of industry experience.
Dakea roof windows and accessories are made for professional builders and developers; offering outstanding energy efficiency, durability, and ease of installation, and most of our products are supported by our industry-leading 20-year guarantee. Dakea’s aftercare support for their partners includes direct advice from our technical experts on any enquiries you may have.
Find out more at dakea.co.uk
