Roof windows

As sources of illumination of the attic floor, traditional windows can be used, located vertically and specially designed for these purposes, the so-called attic windows, which are installed in the plane of the roof (with a slope of 15-90 degrees).

Fig. 1
Roof window

In one attic floor, both attic and ordinary vertical windows can be used simultaneously, if this helps to strengthen the plastic of the building facade and complete its architectural solution.

It is recommended to follow the following basic approaches when choosing windows for attic rooms:

• vertical windows are used in order to maintain and preserve the style and plastics of the facade of the base building, while the total length of vertical windows calculated for each individual roof surface should not exceed half the length of its surface;
• skylights can be considered as an integral part of the roof surface, therefore, the number of skylights, their total width and placement on the roof are not limited;
• roof windows are recommended to be used when constructing attic floors on historic buildings, while maintaining the silhouette, corresponding gaps between buildings and the obscurity of the roof of the attic floor from the street tablet.

The calculation of the size and placement of the window must meet the visual and anthropometric characteristics, according to which the top of the window opening must be at least 1 9-2 0 meters from the floor, and the visual beam of a seated person must have a viewing sector of at least 15 degrees with the window open

Fig. 2
Special flashing allows you to combine skylights into groups

Features of roof windows

Light from the roof window spreads evenly throughout the room, while there are no blind side compartments that obscure the light. Skylights let in the right amount of light with a smaller opening area compared to traditional windows. The norms establish the minimum ratio of the light area of ​​dormers to the floor area of ​​all living rooms and kitchens in apartments and dormitories of the attic floors, equal to 1:10.

Roof windows provide complete protection from external influences. They are adapted to the most extreme weather conditions and are successfully used in all climatic zones. Energy-saving double-glazed windows are used for protection from the cold. The use of glasses with a low K coefficient improves the insulating properties of the window and largely prevents condensation of water vapor on the inside in a room with high humidity. Sun protection helps to create a comfortable environment in hot weather. The opening system of roof windows depends on the suspension of the sash to the frame.

The most common is the suspension along the middle axis, around which the window is rotated when opened. The handle can be located at the bottom or at the top. A window with combined opening has been developed, in this case it can be opened outward from bottom to top using the handle located at the bottom of the window.

Fig. 3
Marquiset is the most effective means of protection from the hot sun

To ventilate the room, the opening system allows you to fix the window in several positions. And to ensure natural ventilation with a fully closed window, a special ventilation device is built into the window block box.
Skylights are safe in operation, since tempered glass with increased strength to mechanical stress is installed in glass units.

In the manufacture of a glass unit, it is possible to install shockproof, absorption or reflex glass.

Wooden elements of the window (glued pine wood, treated in a special way) are protected from the outside from external influences by aluminum profiles (flashing) with a polyester coating, resistant to environmental influences.

For copper roofs, special copper frames have been developed. The cover is practically invisible on the roof, since its top and sides are covered with roofing material.Almost all manufacturers of roof windows have developed several options for coverings for various types of roofing materials – flat, profiled, etc. The covers perform not only a protective function for wooden elements, but also drain rainwater from the surface of the window Special flashing allows you to combine skylights into groups of horizontal, vertical, combined.

A wide range of accessories has been developed for roof windows:

• Blinds allow you to fully control the amount and direction of sunlight entering the room. On the outside, the blinds have a thermo-reflective coating, with its help you can keep warm in winter and reduce its intake in summer. To prevent the sun from heating the room, the blinds are turned with a thermo-reflective coating outward, and to preserve heat, inside the room..
• Curtains create a cozy atmosphere and regulate the light to the room
• The awning is the most effective protection against the hot sun It reduces heat by 65% ​​by scattering the sun’s rays before they reach the window. At the same time, the material from the fine mesh remains transparent to the eye and does not at all impair the view from the window. The awning is attached to the window from the outside But it is easy to operate from the inside. When not in operation, the awning is rolled up and tucked under the upper window cover. Both the awning and the inner curtain or blinds can be installed on one window at the same time.
• Cord, rod and remote opening system are used to control high-altitude windows.

Fig. 4
Lighting of the attic floor with roof windows in combination with vertical

At the end of the brief description of the features of dormer windows, it is necessary to dwell on one more important point – the correct internal sealing of window slopes. The slope above the window must be performed horizontally, and under the window – vertically.This will provide the necessary circulation of warm air (heating devices should always be located under the window), which will avoid condensation of water vapor on the window glass. If it is necessary to install a window sill, it is advisable to install it with some distance from the walls, leaving an air gap, and also providing for the possibility of full axial rotation of the window frame.

On the Russian market, roof windows are represented by the following trademarks (in alphabetical order): FAKRO (Poland), ROTO (Germany), VELUX (Denmark), ZENITH (Italy).