Roof windows are able to provide effective natural lighting of attic rooms, while not disturbing the harmonious communication of the inhabitants of the house with the environment. Currently, a large number of roof window manufacturers offer a wide range of models with a variety of fittings that differ in quality, price and functionality. How to choose the most functional and most reliable among this large variety of roof windows?
A bit of history.
As a type of living space, the attic appeared a little over four hundred years ago in France and owes its appearance to an architect named Francois Mansart. In the 17th century, a Parisian architect who built houses in the style of French classicism decided to equip living rooms under high roofs. For the first time, this idea was implemented by Mansart during the construction of the Chateau de Maison palace-hotel in 1642-1651. So, on the attic floor, for the first time, living rooms were equipped for not very noble people and for servants. From that time on, such rooms began to be called by the name of the architect – attics.
Over the years, the attic has become quite popular and fashionable not only in France, but throughout the world. Just judge for yourself: a lot of light and air, huge areas, as well as scope for the realization of any design fantasies, besides, a minimum of financial costs for re-equipping an ordinary attic space. For many years, despite all the attractiveness and poetry, only poor artisans, students, seamstresses, etc. lived on the attic floors due to the lack of basic amenities. With the advent of running water, electricity, and an elevator, the attic increasingly began to acquire the status of elite housing, since various “goods” of civilization made it possible to make life in the attic as comfortable and convenient as when living on a regular floor.
One of the disadvantages of the attic was insufficient lighting, since in those years ordinary vertical windows were used as a roof window, mounted on the roof with a structure resembling a “birdhouse” (dormers), the luminous flux through which left much to be desired. This problem was solved by Danish engineer Villum Kann Rasmussen in 1942, who invented the world’s first prototype of the modern vertically opening roof window. It was his idea that formed the basis for mounting the window directly into the sloping roof slope. The world’s first roof window was made of wood with a zinc frame, opening from the bottom up. The design of the salary, designed by Rasmussen, even then perfectly protected from the weather, did not allow moisture to penetrate into the premises. The roof window was named “VELUX”, which combines two Latin words ventilatio (air) and lux (light). Indeed, this window design was significantly superior in terms of ventilation and illumination to conventional dormers. Windows with axial rotation appeared in 1948, the special hinges of which were located outside the frame. The appearance of this type of windows has made a real revolution in the production of roof windows. This constructive solution made it possible to significantly simplify the management and maintenance of windows, as well as to separate the flows of cold and warm air, which significantly accelerated the process of airing the room. Compared to Rasmussen windows, these windows are safer and more convenient to wash without fear of falling out of it into the street, since the design allowed their outer side to be turned inside the room. All subsequent years, both of these types of skylights have been constantly improved and developed, while providing new design solutions that allow you to get maximum convenience in their operation and maintenance.
window opening type.
When choosing a roof window, first of all, you need to decide which type of opening is most preferable for you. According to the type of opening, all roof windows are divided into:
mid-hung,
with raised swivel axle,
combined
swing.
Mid-hinged windows, the axis of rotation of which is located at half the height of the window frame, are the main type of roof windows. Due to the fact that they provide 1800 rotation around the axis, their outer side can be easily washed. When installing these types of windows, one point must be taken into account – in order to make it convenient to stand at such an open window, its axis of rotation should be above the floor at a height of about 170 cm.
Windows with a raised pivot, which is located ¾ of the height of the window, have a much larger viewing angle. It will be convenient to look through them both sitting in a chair and standing. These windows can be installed much lower than mid-hung windows.
Combined windows allow opening in two ways: relative to the upper and central axis, or relative to the upper and raised. The operation of these windows is very convenient, since you can easily look out of such a window, as well as from a regular vertical one. When choosing combined windows, you will usually pay 30% more than for a similar window with a raised pivot or mid-hung. Of course, you have to pay for convenience and functionality.
Panoramic windows are large windows with a combined opening method. These windows allow you to rotate the sashes by 400, which provides a convenient approach to an open window, and by an angle of 680, which makes it possible to easily go to the roof, for example, for emergency evacuation in case of fire or when carrying out roofing repairs.
If you are the owner of an attic with a high wall, then a more functional and original option would be to install a set of windows, the lower element of which is mounted directly into the wall (cornice window), and the upper one into the roof plane.
Another convenient option is to install a more comfortable attic balcony-terrace instead of a cornice window.
Design features.
At first glance, the roof window differs from the usual one only in the place of installation (in a sloping roof, and not in a vertical wall). However, this opinion is erroneous. An ordinary window and a roof window have a movable frame and a fixed box, but unlike a regular window, it has a slightly different design and is made of other materials. Do not forget that the roof window is part of the roof, so it must withstand the same loads (hail, rain, snow). The glass in these windows must be strong enough, but at the same time have a light enough construction so as not to weigh down the window structure and not load the hinges. That is why roof windows are produced exclusively using single-chamber double-glazed windows. In addition, the glass must provide sufficient security.
Finally, the window frame and frame must have sufficient protection from the weather, which is provided by installing special metal linings and drains around the perimeter of the window, which are part of the roof. Special flashings serve not only for hermetic installation of windows in the roof, but also allow you to combine windows of different types (vertical, horizontal, combined) into groups.
Skylights can be installed in two ways: protruding above the roof (most popular in Europe) or buried in the roof (most preferred in cold climates, as they improve its thermal insulation properties).
We should not forget about the joints between the roof and the window frame, which must be carefully waterproofed. Making a sufficient roof slope cannot guarantee that rainwater or snow will quickly drain off, and insufficiently thorough waterproofing can cause possible leakage. Roof windows differ from ordinary ones in the opening mechanism, as they have special fittings and a swivel mechanism. In general, roof windows available on the market are provided with a special ventilation device, which allows ventilation of the room even when the frame is closed.
This function is very convenient, especially when it is snowing or raining outside. When choosing a window, be sure to check whether this function is available in the model you have chosen. Of course, it is possible to ventilate the room in the usual way, by fixing the window in the required position with a handle. Handle location. When choosing a roof window, it is necessary to clearly determine the location of the handle of the opening mechanism, since it can be located both in the lower part of the frame, and made in the form of a handle-bar located in the upper part of the frame. The handle located at the bottom of the frame makes it easy to maintain the window, regardless of its height and location.
This solution is especially successful in the case of a high window location, for example, above a high wall. The handle, installed in the upper part of the frame, justifies itself in windows that are located quite low, the upper edge of which is at a height of no more than 200 cm from the floor level. In this case, you can freely reach the handle. This method of opening the window is the most convenient if it is planned to place any household equipment or furniture under this window. In addition, this solution is considered the safest for children, since they will not be able to reach the window opening mechanism on their own. Technical equipment.
Recently, many manufacturers offer a variety of additional equipment for skylights. So, if the window is difficult to access, it can be equipped with a special remote control. The remote control mechanism can be either built-in by the manufacturer initially or ordered additionally. Basically, with the help of remote control, it is possible to ensure the automatic execution of three basic functions: closing and opening window frames, controlling blinds and roller shutters. The operation of the remote control is based on the use of infrared rays.
With proper programming of the control panel and installation of additional sensors, it can provide control of both windows and its accessories from almost anywhere in the house. As a rule, roof windows equipped with remote control have special rain sensors. They will certainly come in handy if you left the house leaving the windows open, and a torrential downpour suddenly broke out on the street. In this case, when the sensor is triggered, the window will close automatically. If you have already installed windows without remote control, then you can equip them with this control system without much effort, having additionally purchased the necessary elements for this. All window remote control systems require mandatory equipment with an electric drive (electric motor).
As a rule, the wall control unit and the electric motor are powered by 24 V direct current, and also allow not only comfortable maintenance of roof windows, but also all blinds and roller shutters installed on them. To date, the cost of a control system for one unit of an installed product (window, blinds or shutters) with an infrared control panel and a wall switch is about 700 UAH. If you plan to install this system on a window that is very high and at the same time rarely opened, then one of the cheapest and easiest options would be to purchase a special telescopic pole 2 meters long (UAH 145) or a special five-meter cord (the same 145 UAH).
So, before deciding to equip a particular window with a remote control, think about whether it is really worth it. One of the latest innovations in the roof window control systems market is the control system for window structures and accessories using solar energy. Solar energy is accumulated in a special panel, which is located on the outer roller blinds in the lower part. Thanks to a special fuse in the battery, a complete discharge is impossible, there is always a supply of electricity necessary to roll up the blinds or roller shutters. This system is controlled by a radio remote control. One of the additional advantages of this product is that they allow the installation of remote-controlled skylights at any stage of construction and finishing works, since this system does not require any special electrical wiring.
This can be a big “plus” for homes that are rebuilding the attic or that are undergoing major repairs. Depending on the method of controlling attic accessories, their price is formed, respectively. So, for example, roller shutters for a window measuring 78×118 cm, opening manually or with remote control, will cost about 2090 UAH, and roller shutters that can be controlled using solar energy will have to pay more than 3500 UAH.
Safety. Most manufacturers of skylights offer fittings that provide sufficient security during operation. Experts advise installing special blocking bolts on roof windows, which block the frame in two cases: when washing (fixing the angle of the frame) and when airing (so that a gust of wind does not slam the window). In addition, if there are children in the house, special locks with a key or a button (without a key) located in the upper part of the frame and protecting children from possibly opening windows will become useful. Some manufacturers have special handles with key locks. Although, to be honest, neither keys nor special bolts guarantee window protection from burglary, but they will still become a serious additional obstacle when an intruder tries to open the window from the outside.
We hope that this article has become interesting and useful for you, and thanks to the right choice of the type of windows, the attic room will receive not only an original design, but also better and more uniform lighting.