A housing parameter that is important for the homeowner to know is the height of the window from the floor according to the GOST standard. This directly affects lighting and safety. The distance from the floor to the window in apartments is standard, but in private houses it can vary significantly. But even in your cottage you should focus on generally accepted standards.
Distance from floor to tabletop according to SNiP and GOST standards
Height from floor to window sill in residential premises - is there a standard?
Most people engaged in independent design or construction of a summer house or country house often wonder: what is the height of the window sill above the floor?
The question is far from being as simple as it might seem at first glance, and it cannot be determined “by eye”. The fact is that the window sill cannot be installed by itself; it is part of the window block, and the height of its installation automatically indicates the height of the lower cut of the window. Therefore, the entire window unit should be considered as a whole, taking into account its height and purpose.
SNiP requirements
First of all, you need to know that the window sill height standard is not regulated by the requirements of Russian SNIP. However, in this matter, it is customary to focus on the requirements of Soviet SNIP , in which this value is defined in a very specific way; in any case, there is a minimum value. The calculation is based on the size of heating radiators, the height of which is 50 cm.
The height of the radiator above the floor must be at least 10 cm, and the distance between the top point of the radiator and the window sill must be at least 8 cm.
Thus, the minimum installation height of the window sill will be 68 cm, but in practice the window sill is located slightly higher, about 75-80 cm.
Find out how to clean a PVC window sill from dirt in our article.
How to properly install a radiator with a wall mounting option
Installing a battery with wall mounting is easier than with a floor-mounted version
Here it is important to know not only the size of the gap to the wall, but also the height of the heating radiators from the floor
Installation steps for wall mounting:
- They start by preparing the attachment site. Wall-mounted radiators are usually placed under window sills or attached to walls away from the front door in order to rationally distribute the heat flow. First, the heating circuit pipe is brought to the radiator installation site. The wall behind the radiator is covered with foil insulation. It will reflect heat back into the room.
- It is necessary to make preliminary markings where the radiator will be mounted. The following parameters are maintained: the distance from the floor to the radiator (bottom edge) and from the top edge of the radiator to the window sill is from 8 to 10 cm, but the width of the heating device itself should be 80 percent of the size of the window opening.
- Then, using dowels, with a depth of at least 6 cm into the wall, fasteners are installed according to the marked marks.
- The radiator is placed on the brackets, fixed and leveled.
- The last point is connecting to the pipes. You can do a test run of the system to check the tightness of all connections.
When using the wall mounting method under the windows, one more condition is observed: the centers of the radiator and the window opening must coincide. Mounting systems vary in design (for example, the shape of the hangers), but they have the same task: to securely mount the radiator on the wall. Most often, fasteners are included with heating devices, and instructions are attached to them.
In living rooms
For living rooms, the standard height of the window sill lies in the range of 70-80 cm. This value meets all technical requirements (location of radiators), and also ensures sufficient illumination of the room and does not cause a feeling of disproportion.
The height of the window sill is a value determined by many factors. Taken into account here:
- Aesthetics.
Installing a window too high (or low) looks inharmonious and does not match the proportions of the room or the furniture.
An incorrectly selected height can cause a feeling of lack of comfort, especially if set too low.
A low window sill can cause a person to fall out of the window , especially if there are small children or disabled people or people with visual impairments in the house.
Thus, an arbitrarily chosen installation height may turn out to be unacceptable for one reason or another, therefore, when choosing an installation height, all factors must be taken into account.
In utility rooms
For utility rooms, the choice of window sill height is dictated by the purpose of the room and the size of the furniture used in it. In such cases, windows are made only to provide light; aesthetic considerations, if present, are only an afterthought.
In the kitchen, the height of the window sill should not be less than that of the furniture used.
Most often, kitchen tables and cabinets have a height of 90 cm, which is most convenient for working while standing. Therefore, the installation height of the kitchen window should be at least 90 cm .
For bathrooms or toilets, the height of the window sill is usually 180 cm , which allows you to use the wall to place mirrors, shelves with detergents or other bathroom accessories on it.
Similar requirements for window sills in workshops, storerooms, on balconies, where the presence of windows should not take away useful space from the walls on which racks, shelves, etc. are placed.
The windows themselves in non-residential premises are smaller in size, since their purpose is to provide ventilation and access to sunlight during the day.
Arranging a loggia - ideas for decorating a loggia
In most apartments, the loggia is either an empty area or is used as a warehouse for unnecessary and conditionally unnecessary things. But from a loggia you can make a fully functional room that can be used more rationally.
Office Dressing room Winter garden
Naturally, arrangement of the loggia is possible only after its complete insulation. Considering that insulating a loggia is not at all a difficult job that will not take much effort and time, it is worth tackling this issue in order to expand your living space.
In this article I want to share my, albeit not new, ideas for arranging a loggia and options for possible finishes.
Cabinet
An office primarily means a desk and a shelf for papers. In addition, now not a single workplace is complete without a computer. Although we don’t often work at home, every home still has a small desk with a computer.
Fig.1.
cabinet
And given the fact that tablets and other devices are successfully conquering the world, it is simply not reasonable to keep a computer desk in a living room. In addition, a full-fledged workstation today is in demand only for storing files, working and editing videos and photos. So let's get it out of sight and organize an office on the loggia.
Fig.2.
Fig.3.
Fig.4.
To create an office on the loggia, the first thing you need to do is develop a desktop design. Considering that most loggias are about a meter wide, the width of the table should be appropriate. Also, on the left side for right-handers, and on the right side for left-handers, a shelf should be provided for a system unit measuring 30x50 cm.
Fig.5.
It is also convenient to provide this desk with an additional shelf for a mouse. In order to relieve the table surface, the keyboard can be placed on a roll-out shelf.
Considering the prevalence of wireless technology, this will not be difficult. The monitor can be mounted on the wall or left on the table.
With a table width of 60 cm, there will be enough space for writing and working at the computer.
Fig.6.
Fig.7.
Above the table you can organize several shelves for a printer scanner and other office equipment.
Fig.8.
Fig.9.
On the other side of the loggia you can install shelves for books and papers. You should not make massive wardrobes on the loggia; they will take up a lot of space and will greatly block the sunlight. A closed compartment up to the window sill and several open shelves above the window sill are sufficient.
Wardrobe
A dressing room on the loggia is a very good idea to unload the cabinets inside the living space or get rid of these cabinets completely or partially.
The only problem that arises in relation to the loggia is that, firstly, the loggia is a small room, and a huge wardrobe cannot be placed there, and secondly, large cabinets will block a significant part of the window opening and there will not be enough light in apartment.
Fig. 10.
Wardrobe
Fig. 11.
There is an option to solve these problems as follows. You can make a cabinet on one side of the loggia not with the standard width of 60 cm, but 45 cm or even 35 cm. And hang clothes in them not across the closet, but along them.
Fig. 12.
Fig. 13.
In addition, you should take into account the fact that in order for a hanger to fit into a closet, 50-55 cm is enough, therefore, if the width of the closet is 100-120 cm, then you can organize two rows of hangers.
If you make the height of the closet 200cm, then such a closet can fit four compartments for outerwear, as well as shirts, trousers and suits, in general, everything that requires the use of a hanger.
Fig. 14.
Fig. 15.
On the other side of the loggia, you can install a similar cabinet, but no more than 30 cm wide, exclusively for shoes or for bed linen, towels, etc.
Fig. 16.
Fig. 17.
If the loggia is intended to be used as an office or dressing room, then it is advisable to cover it with plasterboard and wallpaper. Install spotlights on the ceiling so that they do not interfere with the opening of cabinets, and hang tulle on the windows.
Fig. 18.
Fig. 19.
In the attic
The attic is located high, which puts forward its own requirements for the arrangement of windows:
- Safety.
Often, roof windows open outward, and placing them too low will create a risk of falling out of the window.
Height of the attic wall.
Installing a window below the attic wall line will affect the appearance of the home.
A window sill that is too high will prevent you from seeing what is happening directly below the window. In addition, it is desirable that the height of the lower level provides a view of the street from the window from a sitting position , which is impossible if the window sill is too high.
Based on these circumstances, the height of the window sill in the attic usually ranges from 90-110 cm , this installation allows you to use the window, care for it and provides a satisfactory view at the normal height of the attic wall (90 cm). In conclusion, it should be recalled that the given values are not dogma and do not have the force of law. They were developed through many years of practice in the construction and use of housing, take into account technical requirements and are designed to promote maximum comfort and safety of housing.
Everyone is free to arrange their home according to their personal preferences, but in this area, what is generally accepted means the most convenient , so it is not recommended to neglect this information.
Find out how to install a window sill with your own hands from the video:
Balcony railing designs
Fencing of balconies and loggias not only ensures the safety of the people there; if properly designed, they are also decorative elements. The requirements for these structures are set out in GOST 25772-83 “Fencing of balconies and stairs” and SNiP 2.01.07-85 * “Loads and impacts”, but the standards regulate only safety issues. On the one hand, this means that the choice of constructive and design solutions remains with the homeowner, on the other hand, this conclusion is relevant only for private houses, and the design of the apartment’s balcony enclosure must fit into the overall concept of the building’s facade.
With the freedom to choose the style of the parapet, designers will offer many options for its execution from stone, metal, glass and wood.
Structurally, fencing for balconies and loggias is of the following types:
- lattice - the name speaks for itself, the parapet is a structure made of rods;
- screen – sheets or screens are hung inside the contour;
- combined - a combination of lattice and screen sections, often made from different materials.
From the above examples it is clear that fencing is an effective element of balcony decor, which also has the necessary strength characteristics, but the pictures show open balcony areas. After glazing the balcony, the aesthetics of these structures lose relevance - they are replaced by stone ones or hidden by double-sided finishing. As for safety, GOST requirements for fencing also apply to the parapets of converted balconies, in particular their height.
Window sill location for the living room
When choosing the height of the window sill, focus primarily on your own height and comfort
The height from the floor to the window sill has no standards, so choosing it in some cases is very difficult. When choosing a placement for a living room, you need to rely on the following factors:
- the growth of people who will live in the apartment or house;
- view outside the window;
- placement of heating equipment;
- If you are renovating an apartment or house, you will also need to take into account the future arrangement of the furniture.
For example, if there is a pleasant view outside the living room window, then there is no need to hide it. In such cases, the landing should be approximately 25-40 cm. In this case, you will need to correctly arrange the furniture and take into account the location of the heat supply equipment.
In the future, you can visually increase the height of the window sill by using flowerpots with flowers. If there is no view from the window, then the height of the window sill should be about 800 mm.
Peculiarities
Anyone who independently equips a private house or cottage will at some point be faced with the height of the window opening. Construction specialists in this case take into account the future location of furniture and heating systems, lighting sources or SNiP recommendations.
Modern standards do not provide specific regulations on what the distance from the floor surface to the window opening should be. The Soviet SNiP provided for a minimum value, which today people involved in construction take as a basis when constructing a multi-story building. This indicator takes into account the dimensions of the heating system. It is located strictly under the window opening for better regulation of heat transfer. This prevents condensation from forming on the windows, while ensuring uniform heating throughout the entire room.
Most heating systems intended for residential premises are distinguished by a height not exceeding fifty centimeters. The permissible distance when installing heating elements from the floor surface is ten centimeters, from the window sill - no less than eight centimeters.
Location for bedroom and nursery
The window sill in the bedroom is usually mounted at a height of 90 cm from the floor
In the bedroom, the situation with the placement of the window sill board looks completely different. The windows are often covered with curtains, so the view is not a key factor.
The windows themselves are small in size to reduce heat loss as much as possible. Typically, the height of a window sill for a bedroom is about 90 cm.
The height of windows from the floor for a children's room is usually 70 cm. Sometimes the location of the window can be made higher, but the width will also need to be increased, since a child's room needs as much sunlight as possible.
When choosing sizes, try to find a middle ground. It is necessary that the room is maintained at a certain temperature, and at the same time there is good natural lighting.
We do the right balcony glazing
We don’t do glazing of balconies separately, so we don’t care what happens to it next after our glazing. We have to hand over the work as a whole and correct glazing of the balcony before finishing it is the key to a good result and the absence of problems during the work itself. Therefore, we take an extremely responsible approach to glazing. We try to make the glazing comfortable, warm and not leak when it rains. Then the customer will always be happy with the balcony and no one will come to us for warranty.
Distance from the floor for the office and kitchen
A wider window sill will allow the surface to be used for utilitarian purposes
In such rooms, the placement of the window sill largely depends on the arrangement of the furniture. In offices, the main natural lighting of the workspace is important, so the dimensions should be selected to ensure this condition.
Some people specifically make wide window sills and use them as a desk. On average, the distance from the floor should be about 60-65 cm. These are the optimal dimensions; they will illuminate most of the office.
In the kitchen, the window sill is often combined with furniture, increasing the usable area
In the kitchen, the window sill is often located at a distance of 90 cm from the floor. Most of the kitchen furniture has the same height. With such dimensions, if you place the dining table in the center, it will be fully illuminated.
If you plan to install a bar counter, the height will need to be increased. Under such circumstances, it should be about 120 cm from the floor.
The choice of placement in the corridor is not so critical, because no one stays there for a long time. A landing at 80 cm is considered optimal.
In private houses, windows are often installed in the toilet or utility room to ensure fire safety. For such rooms you will need a distance from the floor of about 1.7 m.
Recommendations
Replacing heating elements yourself is often associated with a number of mistakes. How to avoid them and ensure high heat transfer of the system is indicated in the following recommendations:
- strong fastening of batteries is the key to long-term operation, therefore there should be no less than three fixation points;
- ensuring the correct horizontal level will eliminate the formation of “air jams”;
- regardless of the location of windows in corner apartments, all walls bordering the street must be equipped with radiators;
- creating a reflective screen on the wall side in the plane of the heating element will increase the useful thermal output;
- in a single-pipe wiring diagram, a bypass is installed between the pipes, in the form of a jumper between the inlet and outlet of the coolant, which will allow replacement or repair without shutting down the entire system;
- to calculate the number of heaters, taking into account that the formulas include a significant number of coefficients, it is better to use calculators on construction sites or contact specialists;
- In order to avoid conflicts with the management company when replacing central heating elements in an apartment, actions must be approved in the manner established by the collective agreement.
Do-it-yourself installation diagram
Even with completely correct installation of heating elements, owners can disrupt the heating mode themselves. Thick curtains or curtains, decorative screens, wide window sills and flowers on them reduce work efficiency by up to 20%.
Window sill in private houses
Private houses can be located in different parts of the country, so there are a huge number of possibilities for placing windows. Nowadays, some people get rid of walls altogether and install windows instead, getting a stunning view.
If the structure of the house or finances do not allow you to formalize this idea, you can try placing the window sill at the same level as the floor.
A good idea for private houses would be to install windows that will be located on two floors at once. If your house is located in places with a cold climate, building a balcony or veranda would be a good solution. To learn how to install the window sill to the desired height, watch this video:
For an attic or second floor, the landing should be about 90-100 cm. This height will provide a good view from the window and will keep the room warm.
When choosing a location, keep in mind that the higher the window sill is placed, the more heat you will lose.
The optimal location dimensions are presented in the following table:
In general, there are no standards for window placement. The location of the window sill board largely depends on the type of room and its functions.
How to calculate panel dimensions
In order to make the correct calculation, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions and all the requirements that will be imposed on the window sill board: planned load, room (kitchen, room, balcony), aesthetic side.
Width
The width of the window sill depends on the installation depth of the window profile, and therefore can vary significantly. The depth of the internal opening is measured:
- from the stand profile;
- to the edge of the wall.
An additional 5-10 cm must be added to the actual width so that the window sill board extends beyond the site and hangs down a little. This is done in order to improve the performance and aesthetic performance of the panel. Considering this feature, it is better to entrust the measurements to a specialist who will take into account all the nuances and measure the parameters of the board as accurately as possible.
Calculation example. If the actual width of the window opening is 38 cm and a minimum of 5 cm and 1 cm under the profile are added to it, then the total width will be 38+5+1=44 cm. The resulting number is rounded up - 45 cm.
Length
It is necessary to add 6-10 cm to the actual length of the window opening. This is done so that on each side the panel cuts into the slopes by at least 3 cm. If the measurement is 100 cm, you need to cut the board with parameters of 106-110 cm. A window sill is on sale PVC, the sizes of which are designed for different applications. The maximum length is 6000 mm, which is enough for both a room and a balcony. In rare cases, panels are required that do not correspond to standard sizes, and a custom order will be the solution to this situation.
The service life of the element and its harmony with the interior depend on how correctly the basic dimensions are calculated. Therefore, you should decide in advance what dimensions the PVC window sill will have - basic and additional for the ledge and on the slopes. After taking measurements, you can cut the board yourself, but if you don’t have the skills, it’s better to contact specialists who will take measurements along the window opening and carefully cut out the product using a special tool, as required by the standard and regulations.
At what height should windows be installed in a house?
During the construction and reconstruction of a building, it is necessary to correctly assess what distance from the floor to the window needs to be provided. If the windows are too large, it is inconvenient to use, more materials are spent on the walls, and the construction is more expensive. If the windows are located too low, the room will be uncomfortable. In residential apartment buildings and in private suburban construction, the requirements for what height to make windows in a house are different. In this article we will look at factors that are important to consider.
Canons of proportions
Window systems in living rooms traditionally occupy an area 5.5–8 times less than the floor. In a room with an area of 20 m2, the window area cannot exceed 3.5 m2. For attic structures, the proportion of window and wall areas of 1:10 is acceptable. When placing other buildings or tall trees near the house, the glass filling should be increased for greater illumination. With too small window openings, the room seems dark and cramped. You can make an opening the size of the entire wall, provided it is sufficiently insulated and airtight.
Standard dimensions of window systems from manufacturers in Russia
Consider the location of window openings on the cardinal points. It is better to place living rooms on the south, southwest, southeast side. For utility rooms such as a kitchen or bathroom, it is optimal to have the northern side, where there is no bright natural light.
How high should the windows be?
The height of the window sill from the floor differs in different types of objects. To determine what height of windows from the floor is optimal, use a simple calculation. Calculate the height of the ceiling, from it subtract the height of the window sill and lintel above the window (approximately 0.4 m). Our company’s specialists recommend planting plastic windows at the following heights:
- 25–35 cm in a spacious living room, 800 mm is a traditional solution for typical rooms;
- 90 cm - in the bedroom;
- 70–90 cm - in the nursery, depending on the placement and size of the radiator;
- 65 cm - in an office with maximum natural light, 750 mm - when placing a desk near a window;
- 90 cm - in a kitchen with standard furniture, 1000–1250 mm - with a classic bar counter;
- 80 cm - in the hallway;
- 170 cm - in bathrooms;
- 80–100 cm - in the attic;
- up to 125 cm - in a production room.
What shape should I choose for the window opening?
Today, window systems of almost any size and shape are available. The choice of solution depends on the style of the building and its purpose. Maximum light transmission for square window profiles. Those elongated vertically or horizontally transmit less light. Moreover, in a room with thick walls the difference is especially high. Among modern profiles, you can choose rectangular structures or windows of complex shapes: arched, triangular, trapezoidal, round. But more complex designs with a larger glass area are more expensive.
Window sill height from floor standard
For any window, the window sill plays a big role. The installation of batteries and the choice of curtains for the window depend on what it will be and at what height it will be located.
The window sill can be:
- wide;
- narrow;
- average size.
Wide, powerful window sills are installed in those places and at such a height that it is comfortable to sit on them. Simple wide products can be installed in any room, and flowerpots with flowers can be placed on them.
A narrow window sill is a structure that does not stand out beyond the window opening at all. It is installed near small windows and in small rooms.
A medium-sized product can be installed in any room. Its width is enough to place flowerpots or any necessary small items on it.
When replacing a window, the board must be carefully selected, taking into account the heating system and the location of the curtain rod. Its design must ideally match the design of the window; if this is not adhered to, then such a necessary attribute can very quickly fail. And replacing it will be very problematic.
Primary requirements
The distance from the floor to the window sill may vary in each room. It depends on the:
- the window itself;
- the room in which this structure is installed;
- location of the heating system.
Our eyes get tired from artificial lighting. Therefore, for any room in which a person spends a lot of time, natural lighting is important. And this, as you know, depends on the number of windows and their sizes. Even a large window installed in a small room makes it brighter and more spacious. But do not forget that the larger the window, the cooler the room will be. After all, its thermal insulation properties are 2-3 times worse than those of walls or roofs.
A well-lit room should include a living room, a bedroom and a study. A person spends most of his free time in these places. You can install a small window in the bathroom, or do without it altogether . A medium-sized window is suitable for a children's room and kitchen. But no matter what size window you choose, you need to adhere to one rule: in a residential apartment, in different rooms, the distance from the ceiling to the top of the window should be the same.
The size of the window, and with it the size of the window sill, will depend on the location of the furniture, sights outside the window and many other factors. And the height of the window sill in a new house may also depend on the height of the person who will live in it.
The distance from the floor to the window depends on the location of the radiator. According to building codes and regulations, the battery must be located at least 10 cm from the floor, and the distance from it to the window sill must be at least 8 cm.
If the size of a standard battery is approximately 50 cm, then it turns out that the window sill can be located from the floor at a height of 70–80 cm. Moreover, its inclination towards the room should be at least 1°.
How to choose the height from floor to window sill
If we consider installing a window sill in a private house, then this is done on the basis of a design project, at your discretion. Experts recommend resorting to certain installation rules, which take height as a basis.
- For a living space , the standard height of the window sill from the floor is 70–90 centimeters. It is needed so that the heating radiator can be safely installed under the window, because it needs space. You also need to take into account that there is enough daylight in the room. This must be taken into account at the house design stage.
- For a kitchen area this is not very easy. Much will depend on the size of the room and the furniture chosen. The height of the window sill board will be optimal if its surface is at the same height as the working surface. Typically, this value ranges from 70 to 90 centimeters. There are cases when the height of the window sill in the kitchen is 120–130 cm. This depends on two factors: the height of the person and the height of the manufactured kitchen furniture.
- The bathroom , like utility rooms, does not always have windows. But if they are planned, then the height of the window sill board should be within 120–160 cm from the floor. Since the bathroom belongs to the category of “wet” rooms, it is possible to install a window and window sill higher in it.
If you want something else
Sometimes even the most intricate design catalogs fail to satisfy the searcher. After all, the flight of your imagination is incomparable with someone else’s. But, unlike painting, architecture is much more demanding of the creator. She doesn't forgive mistakes. So no matter how broad the imagination, it is always worth thinking about the possibility or impossibility of practical application.
In the apartment
Many people want to see the distance between the floor and the window small. This is understandable, because it is in this case that the room will look extremely spacious. However, it is important to choose windows that will be strong enough if an adult accidentally falls on them.
Sometimes a room with windows in the form of portholes without window sills will be an interesting option. For example, in the style of an ocean liner. Here a distance of 1.5 meters or more is possible. It all depends on the size of the window. However, this is not typical for most homes and therefore requires assessment by an architect.
Some people prefer artistic chaos to orderliness and symmetry. For example, a combination of windows of different geometric shapes, including triangles and trapezoids. This is perhaps the most difficult option of all.
Sketch
Despite all the diversity, in the end, windows should ideally meet the standards of safety, lighting and creating a microclimate in the room. And, of course, it’s worth thinking about how convenient such windows will be.
For example, will it be convenient to use curtains and will it be possible to hang them at all? If you act rashly, an absurd result is possible, as in some photos on the Internet forum.
If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to install the standard option - a regular rectangular window. The height from the floor should be the recommended one or close to it. Such windows seem uninteresting at first glance, but there is one important nuance.
In the bedroom
When choosing a room design, it is important not to be guided by the first impression of a particular concept, but to look into the future. The variety of all kinds of geometric shapes, amazing the imagination, tires over time. At the same time, boring-looking ordinary windows will be perceived no worse over the years, but simply as a familiar element of the interior.
