fakro drf  02

Component Spotlight Recap: FAKRO Skylights Shine in High-Performance Design

At our most recent Component Spotlight event, we welcomed FAKRO, a globally recognized innovator in skylight and roof window solutions, for an in-depth presentation that brought technical nuance, practical product knowledge, and a whole lot of Passive House geekery to the virtual stage.

Tomasz Glab, Operations and Technical Director at FAKRO America, guided the audience through the company’s comprehensive lineup of roof windows, skylights, and access solutions—many of which are ideally suited for Passive House projects.

"The key to Passive House is not just insulation—it’s airtightness,” Tomasz said. “Our roof windows and skylights are designed with that in mind, and that’s why we’ve pursued PHI certification for several of our products.”

A Global Brand with a High-Performance Mindset

Founded in 1991 in Poland, FAKRO now employs more than 4,000 people across 50 countries and is second only to Velux in worldwide market share. FAKRO’s bread and butter may be skylights and roof windows, but they see themselves as a company that specializes in innovation, and they have more than 180 individual patents to prove it.

"Our development team includes over 100 engineers,” Tomasz said. “They’re constantly iterating on performance—from better U-values to more durable flashing systems to condensation control,” Tomasz says.

FAKRO’s focus on innovation is illustrated by the sheer number of variations within their major product lines, which cover a host of roof access products that include attic ladders, flashings, and even membranes. The lines that we’ll cover in this post will be a bit more limited and include:

·         Roof windows

·         Skylights

·         Blinds

To learn more about all of FAKRO’s products, check out the video from their Component Spotlight.

Though roof windows and skylights are very similar, the main difference between the two is that a roof window can be opened like a regular window on side hinges or it pivots at a fulcrum located in the center or top of the frame. In most cases, roof windows are not designed for flat roofs and are best suited for >15° pitched roofs.

"Slope is critical,” Tomasz explained. “Many of our products require a minimum slope of 15 degrees. We design for sloped roofs, not for flat roofs—unless it’s a specialty skylight like the DXW.”

Roof Windows

The most energy efficient models include the FTT U6, FTT U8, and FNP. The first two are designed for pitched roofs, while the FNP is a fixed window that can be installed on sloped or flat roofs.

FTT U8

The FTT U8 is a quadruple-pane center pivot window with tempered glass on the exterior. It is also a certified Passive House component that provides extraordinary U-values.

·         Uw - = 0.58 W/m2K (0.1 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) = 0.48

Lead time for the FTT U8 is typically 8-10 weeks.

FTT U6

Similar to the FTT U8 is the FTT U6, which is a triple-pane model that comes in over 20 different dimensions.

·         Uw - = 0.77 W/m2K (0.14 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.50

Lead times can vary depending on the size of the window. More common window sizes (e.g., 21” x 38”) are usually in stock and readily available through 475.Supply. Other sizes may have lead times in the range of 8-10 weeks.

FNP – Fixed Roof Windows

Tomasz explained that many designers placed pivot windows in areas that could not be reached, so they were effectively fixed windows. This led them to design the FNP, which is fixed and comes in two models that are triple glazed: the P5 and U5.

The P5 model has laminated glazing for enhanced safety, which has made it one of the most FAKRO’s popular models in the US, but both are krypton-filled triple-glazed windows that deliver on performance.

P5

·         Uw = 0.97 W/m2K (0.17 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.20

U5

·         Uw = 0.97 W/m2K (0.17 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.20

On account of the popularity of the P5 model, windows can ship out in as little as 8 days. For the U5 model, lead times may be closer to 8-10 weeks.

An example of center pivot roof windows from FAKRO.
An example of center pivot roof windows from FAKRO.

FPP – Top Hung and Pivot Windows

The FPP model has a top hinge and pivot switch, which allows users to open the window in two distinct ways. In particular, the pivot makes it easier to clean. The triple-pane options can be laminated (P5) or unlaminated (U5)

P5

·         Uw = 1.0 W/m2K (0.176 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.48

U5

·         Uw = 1.0 W/m2K (0.176 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.53

Like many other FAKRO models, lead times are typically 8-10 weeks.

The infinity glass gives the PDX and PDS a sleek profile.
The infinity glass gives the PDX and PDS a sleek profile.

Skylights

First introduced at the IBS show in Las Vegas in 2024, the new PDX (fixed) and PDS (vented and solar powered) skylights are FAKRO’s “new baby.” These triple-pane, deck-mounted skylights share the same construction of the frame and include sleek infinity glass, which neatly hides the frame of the skylight behind and creates a neat profile. These models are suited for either flat or pitched roofs up to 60 degrees.

PDX

·         Uw = 1.65 W/m2K (0.29 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.17

PDS

·         Uw = 1.65 W/m2K (0.29 Btu/ft²·h·°F)

·         SHGC = 0.17

Both the PDX and PDS models are available in all common standard sizes, are in stock, and ship from FAKRO’s facility in Addison, Illinois.

FAKRO also manufactures triple-pane and quadruple-pane flat roof skylights that are fixed, allow for roof access, and are even walkable. These skylights come in a variety of sizes that can run up to 48 inches by 48 inches. The time for these products is 8-10weeks. To learn more about the specifics of these products, check out FAKRO’s site.

dji 0514

Blinds

Though blinds are oftentimes considered to be largely aesthetic, they can have a tremendous impact on thermal comfort, especially when they are installed on the exterior of a window system. Tomasz notes that external blinds are up to eight times more effective than interior blinds at preventing unwanted solar heat gains. FAKRO creates multiple blinds that include manually operated, electric, and solar powered models.

The fabric used for external blinds ranges in transparency from 1% to 10%. A 10% option allows for limited visibility and allows for more solar heat gains, whereas the 1% option offers significantly more privacy.

Blinds are especially important in climates that see huge shifts in temperature between winters and summers. In winter, the blinds can be retracted to maximize solar heat gains and then drawn in summer to prevent overheating.

Craftsmanship and Support for Passive House Projects

In Passive House and high-performance design, every product in the envelope must perform. FAKRO’s skylights and roof windows are designed to do exactly that—with triple or quadruple glazing, airtight seals, certified performance, and a thoughtful approach to integration.

FAKRO also recognizes the importance of offering support for contractors and design teams throughout project timelines. For the contractors, FAKRO provides consultations, training, and detailed manuals. A representative from FAKRO may even come to the job site during the first installation to show new teams the ropes. For Architects they offer support through shop drawings and by providing extensive product libraries for Autodesk, REVIT, and Archicad.

"We want to support architects and builders—not just with products, but with knowledge,” Tomasz says. “We’re here to help make high-performance buildings easier to build.”

🎥 Didn’t catch the live event?
👉 Watch the full recording here to see product details, installation tips, and a lively audience Q+A.

🔗 Explore FAKRO’s Passive House-certified solutions at https://www.fakrousa.com/

Published: July 2, 2025
Author: Jay Fox