Attic has long ceased to be exotic in country houses. In most modern cottages, an insulated attic is a must. Of course, like any other room, the attic must be equipped with windows. There are many types of such structures. Attic windows should be selected taking into account several important factors.
Destination
Designs of this type primarily serve, of course, to provide attic lighting. However, they also have another purpose. Often, such windows are installed not only in residential, but also in unheated attics. In the latter case, they also have a purely technical purpose. If repairs are needed, workers go up to the roof through them.
What size dormers should be
The choice of such structures for the attic should be, first of all, focusing on their dimensions. Skylights are usually installed between the roof rafters. Therefore, their width should be such that they fit freely in this space. Otherwise, inroof framing will require costly modifications.
When selecting windows in height, you should pay attention to such factors as the total area of the attic, the height of the slopes, the purpose of the room. For example, large windows are better suited for a living room, study or nursery in the attic. For a bedroom in the attic, you can choose their lower option.
Standard sizes
In the European part of Russia, in the Urals and in Siberia, roof rafters are most often installed at a distance of 80 cm from each other. Window manufacturers, of course, take this factor into account. The standard dimensions of the roof window can be as follows:
- 78x118 cm;
- 78х140 cm;
- 78x160 cm.
Also, for the attic, you can also purchase larger windows 94x140 cm, 114x118 cm and 114x140 cm. Sometimes small designs of this type are also on sale - 55 or 66 cm.
In principle, models with a width of 78 cm are not bad even for a truss system with a step wider than 80 cm. In this case, you just have to think about how to close the gaps near the frames. If the rafters are installed very close to each other, the owner of the house will most likely have to make windows to order. They will cost, of course, more expensive than the standard ones. However, the owners of the cottage will still have to spend less money than when remodeling the roof frame.
Top Producers
There are a huge number of companies producing roof windows. When choosing such designs, pay attention to the brand of the manufacturerdefinitely worth it. Especially popular in our country are, for example, Velux skylights. This company produces both wooden and plastic models. The sizes of Velux roof windows are usually standard. Most of the models are 78, 94 or 114 cm wide. Velux windows of 55 cm are also available. Models are 78-160 cm high.
Fakro brand windows are also quite popular with domestic owners of private houses. The models of this manufacturer are distinguished not only by good quality and ease of use, but also by a very low cost (from 8 thousand rubles). The dimensions of Fakro skylights are also usually only standard. On sale you can find models with a width of 55 to 114 cm.
Types of double-glazed windows
In addition to such a parameter as the size of skylights, when buying, you should also pay attention to the degree of their insulation. On sale today there are designs with both two glasses and three. The second option for the Russian climate is considered more suitable. At the same time, it is better for owners of cottages in Siberia and the Urals to pay attention to “warm” double-glazed windows (with a special reflective film).
Types of frames
Roof windows, which come in different sizes and prices, can make a big difference to a building's exterior. Therefore, it is, of course, worth looking at what material their frames are made of when buying. For a concrete or brick cottage, PVC window models are more suitable. In this case, you should also pay attention to the color of the frames. Windows should organically fit intohouse architecture.
For a chopped or panel building, it is worth looking at structures with wooden frames. You can also save money and choose plastic windows. However, in this case, it is better to purchase models with brown, beige or woodgrain frames.
Types of windows by closing method
The most popular among Russian summer residents are medium-turning mansard structures. These windows have only one sash. At the same time, it opens by turning around its axis. The mass of such a window is leveled by hinges located in the center. Therefore, it is very easy to manage it. The owner of the house only needs to rotate the sash on these hinges.
Windows of this variety are popular not only for ease of use, but also because of ease of maintenance. Glass in the attic usually gets dirty very quickly. In windows of this design, the sash can simply be rotated 180 degrees and washed.
Among other things, on sale today are:
- balcony skylights;
- hatches;
- swing traditional designs;
- vertical;
- cornice.
Balcony skylights
Such transformer models are less popular than mid-turn models (mainly due to the high price), but they are also quite often installed in attics. When folded, they are double-sided. When you open them, you get a small attic "balcony". In order to expand such a window, you just need to raise the toppart of the sash up (this forms a glass "roof", and push the bottom forward.
Velux, Fakro, etc. balcony-type roof windows are also usually standard in size. The most popular are models with a width of 78 cm. In addition, on sale today there are more overall structures of this variety, which, when unfolded, form a whole terrace. Their sizes can vary from 94 to 114 cm.
Installing balcony windows is not allowed in any attic. Installation of such structures is possible only on roofs with a slope angle of at least 35 and not more than 55 degrees.
Manhole windows
Models of this variety are most often installed in unheated attics and serve purely technical purposes. There is only one sash in such structures. At the same time, she rises. Sometimes polycarbonate is used instead of glass in windows of this variety.
On residential attics, only hatches with a non-standard configuration are usually mounted. The dimensions of this type of roof windows are most often small. They are used complete with a special "light tunnel". Such models are installed only when it is impossible to install conventional pivoting or hinged windows. For example, if there is a wide technical space between the attic ceiling and the actual roofing.
Swing models
Windows of this variety are also quite popular. Use these traditional modelspretty comfortable. The inconvenience in this case lies only in the complexity of caring for the glasses. In order to wash the double-glazed window from the outside, you will either have to stretch a lot, or even go onto the slope.
Eaves roof windows
These are the usual models installed on the gables of the roof. In fact, such windows are not actually attic windows. From the end of the house on the roof, you can install structures of any height and width. Very often, cornice windows are used as panoramic windows. The fact is that due to the peculiarities of the attic layout, small structures of this type simply cannot provide good lighting.
It also happens that not just windows, but balcony structures are installed on the gables. The floor in such "terraces" is usually the overlap of the attic itself. But sometimes gable balconies are made protruding forward. In this case, they are supported from below by columns or pillars.
Vertical Models
Such windows are also often used in attics and are able to perform their main function of illuminating the room very efficiently. Their only drawback is the high cost of installation. The fact is that when installing models of this variety, changes in the roof structure will have to be made in any case. Vertical windows are mounted in a specially arranged attic "birdhouse".
What fittings should be
This is what modern skylights are like (sizes, types). The device of models produced by well-known manufacturers, in mostcases allows you to use them with great convenience. However, when choosing windows for the attic, of course, you need to pay attention not only to the double-glazed window, design features and the type of frame. You should also make sure that the hardware is of good quality. Handles, hinges, etc. in dormer windows are usually used differently than in simple facade ones. As a rule, the manufacturing technology of such fittings is the know-how of a particular company and is not widely advertised.
When choosing windows, first of all, you should pay attention to the position of the handle. It can be located at the top or bottom. Both options are considered quite convenient. If the window is located very high from the attic floor, it is better, of course, to choose a model with a bottom handle. Otherwise, in the future, opening the fold, most likely, will not be very convenient. If the window is equipped with a window sill and flower pots are installed on it, you should take a closer look at the model with the top handle. In this case, it will be possible to open the window without the risk of touching and knocking down the plants.
Accessories
In order to make the windows in the attic more convenient to use, many manufacturers supply them with all sorts of accessories. This can be, for example, a rod, a cord or a remote opening system. A model equipped with such devices is worth buying if it is located in the attic very high.
Also, windows of this variety can be supplemented with special curtains, blinds or roller shutters. Such models are perfect for the sunny side.
Price formodels
How much can the installation of skylights cost the owner of the cottage? Of course, for a large attic it is worth choosing larger models. For a small roof, small structures are better suited. But, of course, they depend on the size of the roof windows and prices.
Installation of small standard models is usually not too expensive. Simple medium-turn triplexes of 78 cm cost, for example, about 15-35 thousand rubles. (depending on the height and design features), wide - 25-45 thousand rubles. If desired, today you can find through the Internet and the budget version of such windows. As an example, we can cite the same Polish Fakro skylights. The sizes and prices of the models of this manufacturer, as well as the designs of any other brands, are correlated. Small models "Fakro" (55 cm) cost only 8-10 thousand rubles. For a design of 78 cm, you will need to pay 12-17 thousand rubles. A wide window of this manufacturer at 94-114 cm costs between 15-16 thousand rubles.
Velux skylights, sizes and prices may also be different. They cost more than Fakro. The price for 55 cm models ranges from 16500-19000. Windows 78 cm wide cost 21,000-24,500 rubles. The price for wide designs for 94-114 cm starts from 26 thousand rubles.
