Window opening - usually round in shape - in an attic roof or dome covering 7 letters

• What are attic windows for?
• Classification by design features
• Classic species and their new varieties
• Attic windows and their size
• Installation
• Bull's eye hatch structure

Windows built into the roof structure are quite common, especially since attics have long ceased to be used only for storage of old things. And they provide additional lighting. The rationalism of our time does not prevent us from taking a creative approach to converting the attic into various useful spaces: a bedroom, an office, and more.

In architecture, an attic window is defined as a window opening made in a roof with an attic. Thus, what the attic window, lucarne, dormer, dormer or even birdhouse is called, essentially does not matter. All of them are needed for ventilation and lighting of the under-roof space. The only question is how convenient it is to open them, and whether they close at all or not.

Lucarna: a luxurious element of a country house

Superstructures of various shapes above the roof or flat windows built into it are called dormers.
In ancient times, this type of roof window became known as a lucarne, and even today many people call it that way. Nowadays, a lucarne or dormer window is mainly considered as a stylish and unusual decorative detail on the roof of a house. However, many people forget that, in addition to its beauty, this roofing element performs many practical tasks. In this article, “Dream House” will tell you about the history of lucarne, its varieties and characteristics.

Lucarne dormer window

Rubber seal is an important component when insulating windows

Setting up PVC windows for winter includes many additional processes. So, you should definitely check the insulation, since problems with it also cause cold in the room. Insulation materials are made of rubber materials. Over time, their condition deteriorates, which can be caused by natural wear and tear or mechanical damage.

Accordingly, this material requires care, as well as checking its consumer characteristics. If it is damaged, no adjusted window will save you from the penetration of cold during the winter frost.

PVC manufacturers recommend using various silicone solutions that prevent increased wear. Such lubricants are often used by motorists, so finding them is not difficult. Among the most popular products are, for example, products from Fenosol, EdelWeiss, KBE and many others.

The principle of action of silicone is very simple and consists in the fact that it covers the rubber material with a special thin film, the effect of which lasts for six months. After the specified period, it is recommended to reapply silicone grease.

In some cases, it may be necessary to completely replace the seal. For example, it was not cared for at the proper level, or when the window was not used for a very long time. In addition, there is such a thing as physical wear, when after a certain period the strength of rubber begins to deteriorate, cracks and other defects appear. You shouldn’t delay it for long, especially before the onset of winter, otherwise you will have to face very unpleasant consequences.

Installation of a new layer of rubber begins from the top corner

The main factor that you need to pay attention to is the packing density. The rubber must be exactly the size of the sash, no stretching is allowed, this can only lead to damage

By installing the material and securing it tightly, you can safely hope that it will be much easier to survive the winter cold this winter.

Design[edit | edit code]

In architecture, the following types of dormer windows are distinguished:

• with a flat roof and a loft;
• quadrangular with a pitched roof;
• with a gable roof;
• with a hip roof;
• triangular;
• with trapezoidal roof (panoramic);
• segment-shaped;
• semicircular (“bat”);
• glass;
• attic (sloping).

Sometimes the concept of a dormer window is limited only to vertical windows, distinguishing the dormer window (repeating the slope of the roof) into a separate type [5] [6].

Design

Creating a project for erecting a roof with dormer windows is mandatory. During the design process, it is necessary to take into account some mandatory nuances.

There are certain rules for the placement of structures, non-compliance with which, as practice shows, leads to problems during the operation of the roof:

1. They should not be placed near the ridge, cornice, or close to the gables.
2. If several openings are created, then the distance between them must be maintained at least 0.8 meters. This will allow you to freely carry out preventive inspections of the roof and prevent snow from accumulating on the roof.

The location and shape of these elements is chosen according to the personal preference of the property owner; the choice may be determined by fashion trends in the real estate market, as well as the main purpose pursued when creating window openings on the roof - they will be used practically or only as decorative elements.

Advice! This architectural element complicates the construction of the roof. The level of complexity will depend on the type of window design chosen and the roofing material. It is better to entrust the construction of a roof with dormer windows to professional roofers.

An exact drawing of such an element must be reproduced on paper. For this purpose, all measurements are carefully taken. The quantity and dimensions directly depend on the area of ​​the roof space.

The basic rule to consider when making calculations is the following:

Windows can be in one or two rows. The lower edge can be at least 0.8 meters from the attic floor level, and the location of the upper edge depends on the height in the room.

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Types of dormer windows

The types and characteristics of lucarens vary depending on the structural features of the roof. as well as window shapes. The most common classification of roof windows is:

• With a flat roof
  . The slope of the roof in this case ranges from 5 to 15 degrees. The design features of the hatch with a flat roof allow maximum illumination and ventilation of the room. However, for comfortable operation, such a dormer window must be equipped with a drain.
• With a pitched roof
  . In this case, the roof slope is at least 15 degrees. Depending on decorative purposes, the shape of the roof can be either rectangular or trapezoidal.
• With a gable roof
  . A dormer window with a gable roof allows you to maximize the space of the attic floor, and therefore this type of skylight is most often installed in residential premises.
• With a hip roof
  . This type of dormer windows is equipped with a gable roof, which allows you to maximize the size of the usable space.
• Triangular, round and semicircular windows
  . As a rule, windows of unusual geometric shapes are used to give the building a certain style. They fit perfectly into the overall roof, interestingly changing its shape.

Overhang above the roof of the skylight

Subtleties of installing attic windows

And now we have come close to the question of how to properly install this roofing element. All attic windows do not have to be placed on the same line - this can be done in a semicircle, in a checkerboard pattern or in any other arbitrary shape. Just keep in mind: the higher you install them, the lighter it will be in the attic, which, of course, is only a plus.

According to all the rules, it is necessary to equip an attic window in the process of creating the roof rafter system itself, because it itself is the same roof, only in miniature. Although, after the completion of construction work, the window is also installed, albeit with many difficulties. But we will tell you how to cope with all these difficulties. Please note that you will need to carry out some construction work on the ground before installing the window in the rafter system. For example, you can’t do without this in the case of a dormer window:

Stage I. Calculation and design

The first thing you need to know when installing attic windows is the distance between the rafters that is already there. Moreover, this parameter does not depend on the opinion or whim of the developer, but is determined during the design process depending on future loads and the shape of the roof itself.

For example, the smaller the roof slope, the more often rafters will have to be installed. Moreover, you cannot change the pitch of the rafters at your own request, so initially count on the fact that it is better to select windows according to the existing distance between the structural elements.

The calculation criteria for dormer and attic windows are the same:

• The surface of the window itself should be in the area of ​​1/6 to 1/8 of the floor surface, and if the roof slope is very small, then 1/5.
• The window sill should be above the floor level at a height of 85-90 centimeters, and the optimal height of the window opening is 120-150 centimeters.
• The width of the hatch or roof window should be more than half the width of the room - this is the only way to properly illuminate all the rooms, without dark corners. This is how the volume of the room visually increases. The important thing is that you can get to the window without hitting the roof.

The rule here is simple: the smaller the angle of inclination of the roof, the higher the attic window should be located.

Now let’s figure out how to calculate the number of attic windows. If we are talking about a residential attic, then all the windows together should make up a little more than half the wall. If you leave the attic cold, then have at least one window at opposite ends of the roof, for natural ventilation and to reduce the lifting force of the outside wind.

Sometimes it makes sense to install two windows side by side or one above the other for more lighting. But keep in mind that heat escapes through any window. And be careful when designing a future attic with a continuous row of windows.

Very often in practice it turns out that upon completion of the work the roof structure is slightly shifted, there are certain errors, and it will be impossible to make an even row of windows in such a roof. Therefore, in this case, it is easier to install vertical groups by placing additional windows in one line and using special elements along the entire length of the slope.

If skylights are too close together, snow and ice will accumulate between them. And this is another additional load on the supporting structures of the roof, and it is important to take it into account. In addition, the walls of such windows must be additionally protected from moisture penetration, because snow and ice suspended on them will always thaw a little.

And lastly: when insulating roof windows, many people easily make mistakes, which result in the formation of cold bridges - and all because of the complex design. Look how many different moments there are:

Stage II. Preparation of the rafter system

So, during the construction of the rafter system, gaps between the rafters are deliberately left in place of future attic windows. Taking into account the fact that around the attic windows the rafters themselves must be reinforced, because they will be subject to additional load.

The main thing when installing an attic window is the waterproofing between the roof itself and the window, namely the need to protect the window from drips. Please note that only one type of attic window is mounted directly in the plane of the roofing material - these are dormer windows. And in terms of waterproofing, you will have to tinker with them the most.

In modern houses, the standard distance between the rafters usually ranges from 60 centimeters to 1 meter, and therefore windows are now most often produced from 55 to 134 centimeters wide. And the easiest installation is when the window itself fits perfectly with the distance between the rafters. If the sizes of the windows and the distance between the rafters differ too much, special connecting structures will help you.

Therefore, we will call the ideal situation when the distance between the rafters exceeds the width of the window frame by only 2-5 centimeters. Thanks to this, you can leave a gap of 1 to 2 centimeters wide between the rafters of the window frame, which you will then fill with heat-insulating material. If the window fits too tightly to the rafters, insulation will be difficult to install.

But most of all, developers do not like to face the situation when the attic window turns out to be wider than the opening. After all, for proper installation you will have to cut out parts of the rafters and insert auxiliary beams. They are attached at a distance of 3-5 centimeters from the top and bottom of the window. The vertical beam should be fixed to the window frame at a distance of 2-5 centimeters for the same insulation.

So, what to do if the attic window is smaller in width than the distance between the rafters? In this case, no preparation is needed for the window itself, but between the rafters you will have to build additional side walls and the roof of the future window. After this, lay down the roof covering with insulation.

Most often, attic windows, which are less than the distance between the rafters, are inserted onto the finished roof, and sometimes not alone. But what to do if the width of the attic window is much greater than the distance between the building legs? This is not uncommon when building new homes. And therefore, it is better to design such windows even before the construction of the rafter system, specifically for a specific niche. Otherwise, you will have to risk the strength of the future roof, because you cannot do without cutting out part of the rafter legs.

True, for this purpose you can use crossbars and additional attachments, which will take on all the necessary load that should have gone to the cut off parts of the rafters. But there is one thing: such work should only be carried out by an experienced builder.

Stage III. Selection of fasteners

If you are installing attic windows yourself, know that there is a required fastening for each type of window and you cannot select it by eye. Thus, the most commonly used are anchor bolts, anchor plates and frame dowels with metal wheels. But usually all this fastening is supplied complete with the window itself and is calculated by the manufacturer.

After all, the same colored PVC windows cannot be installed with too rigid a fixation, as a result they will quickly deform and very soon the sashes will no longer fit tightly enough to each other.

But dowels are not used for installing wooden windows, since they cause unnecessary stress in the frames, which is why modern manufacturers do not replace the window if it is deformed, if the mounting method has been changed by the owner.

Stage IV. Window frame installation

Next, after you have secured the window, fill the shutter with sealing tape around the entire perimeter of the frame. This is the only way you can achieve the required level of sound insulation and wind protection. Be sure to cover your wooden windows with self-adhesive tape during the process to keep them clean. And remember that ordinary tape is not suitable here - the tape must be stable, with acrylic varnish.

Two more important rules: PVC attic windows are not sealed with materials with bitumen components (heated in the sun), and they are not sealed with construction foam, which can greatly increase in volume and thus deform the profile. Also remember that when installing PVC windows, the fastening is required to be more rigid, and more mounting plates will be required.

As for cutting out a window on inclined slopes, you can easily cope with this task yourself:

In fact, you only have to tinker with the attic window located directly under the ridge:

If you are working with frame dowels, be aware that there are strict guidelines regarding their diameter and hole depth. So, you need to make a hole even before placing the window formwork, and for this you will need an elongated drill so as not to damage the surface of the frame.

Problems can arise primarily with PVC windows that have been reinforced with special steel profiles. The dowel head cannot rest on these - only on the wall of the PVC profile. Otherwise the window will crack. The correct thing to do is to recess the mount completely into the window frame and close the hole above it with a plug.

Stage V. Finishing work

After removing the dried foam, you need to close all the fittings so that it is clean. Last but not least, remove the protective film from the windows.

Most often, attic windows, which have a smaller width than the distance between the rafters, are inserted into the finished roof, and sometimes not in any quantity. But what to do if the width of the attic window is much greater than the distance between the rafters? But this is not uncommon when building new houses. That is why it is better to design such windows before constructing the rafter system, planning to leave special niches for them.

Otherwise, you will have to risk the strength of the future roof, because it will no longer be possible to do without cutting out part of the rafter legs. True, for this purpose you can use crossbars and additional attachments, which will take on all the necessary load that should have gone to the cut off parts of the rafters. But there is one thing: such work can only be done by an experienced builder.

And detailed master classes on how to make a window with a mini-balcony:

The main advantage of modern attic windows is that they are able to withstand fairly heavy rainfalls, gusts of wind and snow pressure no worse than the roofing itself. Plus their proper installation, and your attic will be truly bright, dry and cozy.

Installation of a window opening in a finished roof

Quite often the roof design does not provide for the installation of a window in it. However, sometimes it is necessary to install windows in the roof. Remodeling a structure completely is a rather labor-intensive and expensive process. You can save money by getting by with a hearing opening. Before making a window box, you should determine exactly where it will be located and its size.

The window size should not exceed 10% of the room space, otherwise severe heat loss will occur and heating costs will increase significantly.

It is most convenient to place the window in the center of the structure; it is best to place it between the load-bearing blocks. It is worth buying a product with a durable double-glazed window, since it will be affected by various weather phenomena to a much greater extent than a regular window inserted into the wall.

History of the name

Many have heard this name, but not everyone knows why it is called that. Referring to V. Dahl’s interpretative dictionary, in the category “Hearing”, the term stands alongside “for hearing”, “vent”.

The author designated the phrases “dormer window” and “hearing in the roof”, with the note “although there is nothing to listen to here.” Also, Dahl gives the phrase “rumors blow with the wind.” It's not for nothing. Once upon a time, such windows were in the premises for service personnel. As a rule, the servants loved gossip and gossiped “from the heart.” So much so that parts of the conversations could be caught through the windows.

The second explanation for the origin of the definition refers to the Manege in Moscow, built in 1817. It was erected as a tribute to the destruction of Napoleon's army. During the construction, a team of a local master, Slukhov, was involved. He was a well-known roofing specialist and, in fact, was responsible for this work in Manege.

The original design of the building did not include such windows, and ventilation of the attic was not provided. One day, in the heat, the surface of the attic became so hot that the roofing began to deform. The incident was reported to Alexander I, and the work had to be corrected urgently. Slukhov then proposed placing a row of windows on the slopes to ventilate the room. Since then, such structural elements have been named after the name of this master.

Then they came up with another use for lucarnes (their second name) - they began to make this invention to reduce the load on the ceiling, in which the installed beams sagged and could not support the mass of the impressive span. The significant draft created by the windows created a zone of reduced pressure above the ceiling. Therefore, the weight impact on the ceiling was reduced and a serious accident was avoided.

long-term apartment rental in Krasnokamensk

Carrying out installation work

Knowing how to make a skylight at home, you will not only be able to try to do it yourself, but also check the work of the company that you decide to entrust this procedure to.

First, you will need to cut a hole of the required size in slate or other covering. Once it is ready, you can begin to mount the window frame itself. To do this, a 40x50 mm beam is attached to the load-bearing roof rafters. It will become the supporting frame of the window structure.

It is best to fasten the frame using stainless steel elements.

During installation, you must ensure that the frame is pressed tightly against the rafters. Wood screws are usually used for this. Using the same principle, dormer windows are installed, located parallel to the structure of the roof of the house.

Even if you know how to make a skylight, it is better to entrust this work to professionals. An improperly installed window will leak or let in cold, and its service life may be shortened.

Window: search for words by mask and definition

shade

obliquely cut prison window

August

the month when you won't be able to open the window on the bus, the same one you couldn't close in December (Leonard Levinson)

aquarium

“there is a glass pond on the window, but they don’t let you fish” (riddle)

Agave on the kitchen window

"light in your window" sings

embrasure

balcony

Jacob Bruce translated this word from Dutch into Russian as follows: “the walkway in front of the window or door of the upper dwelling, left by the railings”

balsam

bandeau

rigid lambrequin, decorative element of window design

battery

heating radiator under the window

home heater under the window

birch

biforium

in Romanesque architecture - a window with two openings, separated by a column or column

Blaginina

Russian poetess (collections “Skladen”, “Windows to the Garden”)

blonde

sliding window shutter 2. insulating shutter

browser

window to the world of the Internet

eyebrows

market

a horizontal break at the junction between the sashes of a door or window, protecting against drafts

Vaarandi

Deborah (born 1916) Estonian poet, collections “Under the Sound of the Surf”, “Dreamer at the Window”

vadya

a hole (“window”) in a swamp with standing water

store everything for a bath in Mogilev

vasisdas

a small window in the door or window

there are blinds on the window, and what is in the lady’s hands?

fan

(ventilator, vantelator) A hole for the flow of fresh air into a room, made in a wall or window.

vertok

swivel lock for door or window

wind

“without arms, without legs, knocking at the window, asking to come into the hut” (riddle)

evening

“gray cloth stretches out the window”

“gray cloth stretches out the window” (riddle)

opens from the window

picture opening from a window

Windows

(English: Windows Windows) operating system developed by

stained glass

glass to glass in the window

painting or pattern made of colored glass (in windows, doors)

colored glass window

showcase

store advertising window

space outside a store window for displaying goods

store display window

tab

a graphical user interface element that allows switching between multiple open documents or active sessions in a single application window

moisture

drops of water on the window

drops of water on the window

curtain

full window curtain

What do we hang on the window?

curtain covering the entire window

curtain for the entire window

thick curtain over the entire window

gates

made money on windows

geranium

Gubin

how long ago - do you hear? - How long have I been looking out your window again? (a singer)

girl

three of them were spinning under the window (Pushkin)

Installation of a dormer window

The dormer window has structural differences from the attic window. First of all, it requires a gutter, so the roof slope must be at least 5 degrees. The most popular design is in the shape of a quadrangle.

For cottages, a triangular window is often used. Instead of side walls, it has roof slopes. Thanks to this design, you can save on waterproofing, since the area of ​​work will be significantly reduced. The disadvantage of this solution is less illumination.

Types of attic window blocks

For the manufacture of attic windows, in the same way as in the production of traditional models, various materials are used, so you have the opportunity to choose wooden, metal and plastic products to suit your taste. Each of them has its own positive and negative characteristics.

Characteristics of aluminum roof windows

The assembly of structures is carried out on the basis of aluminum profiles, which provide the products with long-term operation, ease of repair, as well as resistance to corrosive changes and deformations.

Such a window will last for more than half a century without requiring special care, while perfectly protecting it from negative atmospheric influences. The peculiarity of the material is that only from it can the largest window frames be made.

Aluminum roof windows can be warm or cold

Aluminum roof windows are:

1. Cold - used for glazing balcony blocks and non-residential premises.
2. Warm - suitable for installation in attics of houses and dachas.

The profiles of warm structures consist of three parts with a thermally insulating polyamide insert between the profiles. The main function of such a thermal bridge or thermal break is to prevent warm air from escaping outside and cold air from entering inside. Filling extruded polystyrene or polyurethane foam between thermostats helps to achieve high quality; The space from the glass unit to the frame or sash is foamed with a sealant.

An aluminum window system is assembled from several parts, which includes:

• profile frame;
• set of doors;
• impost;
• shtulpa;
• glazing bead

The method of opening such a window can be chosen by the master and is implemented without additional spare parts.

The roof window can open in different ways

You can get an answer to the question of why the demand for aluminum windows is much higher based on their technical characteristics:

• no problems arise during operation;
• unpretentious in care;
• manufactured at the customer's request in any size and with a suitable opening mechanism;
• Available in a wide range of colors according to the RAL scale;
• are not affected by different temperatures, cope with their tasks for many years;
• have protection against acid precipitation and UV rays.

The versatility of wooden roof windows

When building a roof, the frame is laid from wooden beams, and the sheathing is made from boards, so it is advisable to make roof windows from a similar material. Due to the similar reaction of wooden products when exposed to climatic conditions or loads, the expansion of the material structure occurs evenly across all roofing structures, including windows.

With a high density of laminated wood, there is sufficient flexibility of the products in the event of any movement, which significantly reduces the number of necessary fasteners. The advantage of wood is the ability to manufacture any decorative elements - arched transoms, window-balconies.

Wooden blocks can have different shapes

Indoors, roof windows are protected from moisture, and on the outside they are covered with special linings, which allows them to extend their service life. For prevention, it will be enough to paint the frames with water-based varnish every 2-3 years.

Impeccable moisture resistance of plastic products

In damp rooms, for example, in the bathroom or kitchen, the best option would be to install plastic windows. Such products, unlike ordinary wooden frames, do not require special care (just wipe with a damp cloth) and do not corrode as a result of exposure to water, dirt, or wind.

Currently, moisture-resistant roof windows are very popular due to their resistance to aggressive environments; without them it is impossible to imagine the functioning of swimming pools, saunas, greenhouses, and conservatories. The only factor that should be taken into account when choosing a plastic frame is the angle of inclination of the roof slope - within 15–90 degrees.

A plastic window can also be used in the bathroom

Any window, regardless of the material used and design features, provides the ability to ventilate the room. Thus, all models of roof windows are equipped with special valves that will help you take care of ventilation in a timely manner.

Anti-aircraft windows

The reader may ask what is the name of the roof window of the dormer type, but at the same time it is the most effective. Such a window is called a skylight.

It has a number of advantages:

• Light weight, allowing the structure to be installed on any roof.
• Provides sufficient light.
• Provides optimal temperature conditions (low heat loss).
• The product is very functional.
• Easy to install compared to analogues of other shapes.
• Safe to use.

Classification by design features ↑

The name “window in the attic roof” speaks for itself.
Before you begin installing windows in the roof, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of such structures and the requirements of SNiP. Structures can be arranged in different ways. According to this principle they are divided into:

• Vertical or end. They are located on the end wall of the hatch. Simple and easy to use and maintain, they are easy to open and close, wash and paint;
• Horizontal. Significantly increase the illumination of the interior space, but make it difficult to clear the snow accumulated on the roof;

• Balcony or recessed. Through them you can go out onto a balcony terrace or balcony. If we talk about providing illumination, then from this point of view they are not very effective;
• Inclined. A window in an attic roof of this design appeared relatively recently, but immediately became in demand because it can almost double the illumination of the interior space. In addition, it fits perfectly into the roof structure of the house;
• Anti-aircraft lights. This is a completely transparent structure made of glass, which is mounted on a flat attic roof. It provides fairly good illumination and does not cast shadows;
• Light tunnels. A structure resembling a pipe in shape, which rests on a lamp inside the attic, which evenly scatters the light;
• Cornice. They combine the features of horizontal and inclined windows. Their installation is possible only if there is a high partition of at least 180 cm.

We recommend

A small imitation of an attic window on the facade can decorate the attic and create the impression of being inhabited.

Roof windows for private houses

It is necessary to think about installing dormer windows at the stage of roof construction, when the rafters are being erected. The window frame must have its own sheathing, have its own rafters, that is, you will need to create a miniature roof, separated into a separate one. The main rafter system must have openings for future windows. In these places, you will need a strong fence that can support the weight of the future window.

Read more about “Which roof window to choose” in our article on the website. You will find practical advice.

Before installing a roof window, read what consumers think about roof windows. Which windows are better, cheap or expensive?

Which is better, plastic or wooden dormer windows, read our article at the link https://oknanagoda.com/okna/mansardnie/mansard-comparison.html.

Frame dormer window: work order

After the rafter legs are installed, transverse beams are placed on them. The lower beam should be flush with the wall, and the upper beam should coincide with the height of the window. The top bar, located across, will hold the vertical posts of the structure. The resulting frame must be fastened with timber, which is laid lengthwise. After this, a rafter system for the dormer window is made in the image of the roof rafters.

If dormer windows for the roof of private houses can be installed after the building has been erected, then it is advisable to install dormer windows immediately at the time of construction of the house, otherwise the roof truss system will have to be redone.

Criteria for choosing an attic window

Now you should pay attention to the narrower parameters of attic windows: how much light they let in, whether it will be convenient to open them and what are the advantages of individual market offers.

Practicality parameter

When it comes to choosing the material for making attic windows, there are many nuances. Thus, wood is a wonderful material that absorbs noise well, retains heat and gives irreplaceable comfort to the entire interior. But wood is also sensitive to precipitation, and therefore it is better to give preference to plastic structures.

For the rest, focus on whether additional elements and insulation will be supplied with the window itself. This determines how easily you can solve waterproofing and repair problems in the future.

Lighting parameter

A dormer window illuminates the attic more evenly than a dormer window, although here too much depends on the angle of inclination. Standard roof windows are good because, unlike skylights, they are located at an angle, so more light comes through them.

Their surface area may be smaller than that of standard conventional attic gable windows. Therefore, their area most often ranges from 1/8 of the floor surface, and at the same time, the lower edge of the window should still be at a distance of 90-110 centimeters, and the top - 185-205 above the floor.

And this is also the main drawback of modern roof windows: a lot of direct sunlight gets into the attic, and the things in it simply burn out and overheat. Therefore, it is customary to install special Roman blinds and awnings on roof windows, which means a slightly different design and other costs.

That is why skylights are most often placed on the north side, where more soft, diffused light enters. Again, there is a minus here: on the northern slopes the snow lies longer, and therefore such leaks are more likely, not to mention the seasonal lack of opportunity to properly ventilate the room. But this does not mean that everything is bad on any side, just weigh the pros and cons.

Therefore, in terms of illumination, the shape of the attic window is of great importance: if it is horizontal, there will be more light, if vertical, a little less. But most of all, of course, light enters the attic through panoramas, especially direct sunlight, which can lead to overheating of objects.

There are certain studies that show that sloping attic windows transmit 30-40% more sunlight than vertical ones. Therefore, if you are going to make a relaxation room, SPA corner or bathroom out of the attic, then it is better to install more windows.

Constructability parameter

There is also a difference in at what stage of construction attic windows can be installed from different materials. Thus, metal-plastic ones are allowed to be installed even before finishing work has been carried out, especially wet ones. After all, plastic is resistant to moisture, but wooden ones can dry out after this.

Moreover, with wooden windows, if you already had to install them before such work, you will have to constantly tinker: ventilate, close and open, make sure that condensation does not fall on the inside. And all this is a waste of valuable working time.

Comfort parameter

Now let's come close to the issue of opening attic windows. So, the most popular option is a design with a middle rotary opening. Such windows are good because they can be left slightly open or the sash can be rotated around its axis. This is very convenient when you need to clean windows. Also make sure that the handle is placed on top of the frame, then you can also put something under the window.

If you are planning to install attic windows and someday make an attic there, then choose ones that are installed high enough and controlled using a remote control: they open and close. For example, attic windows are popular today, which close themselves at the first drop of rain - all thanks to a special sensor. Amazing, isn't it? And they are easy to install:

Staffing parameter

Modern manufacturers are also working hard on the many disadvantages of attic windows. For example, roof windows are always at an angle and look directly at the sky, and therefore in hot weather the sun's rays penetrate in large quantities. Therefore, manufacturers produce a whole set of sun protection accessories, such as blinds and interior curtains, and also create new glass that partially reflects the sun's rays.

The finished attic window kit usually includes an external insulating flashing, which will protect the window from rainwater and snow, forming an airtight connection with any roof covering. This should also include mounting elements: corners, plates and brackets. In addition, each of us has the opportunity to purchase an additional kit for high-quality installation, which will help installation without damaging the waterproofing layer of the roofing pie:

• Often the kit may include aluminum corner profiles, internal corners and a special moisture-resistant adhesive tape for the membrane.
• Other manufacturers also offer an insulating belt made of sheep wool, which is distinguished by its special elasticity and thermal insulation properties. And some modern windows are equipped with a special film for connection with a vapor barrier.
• The largest manufacturers also offer an additional contour made of foamed polyethylene and a special waterproofing apron made of polypropylene to insulate their product. It also includes sealant and special tape.

As a result, when using all these additional kits, you can increase the lifespan of such windows by 5-10 years more. Here is a good example of how all this stuff is used in practice: