Skylight is no longer a luxury, but an essentiala must for anyone with a roof. Light and air are what is always lacking. How to choose, install and place a roof window in the space? Understanding with the help of professionals If you have a roof, then there is an attic under it. And if you have an attic, then you need it. Today, no one doubts the fairness of this approach. The space under the roof is additional meters of useful and very interesting area of an unusual configuration. And the cost of arranging a residential attic has long ceased to be exorbitant. 
Design features Main advantageroof window - depending on the needs of the customer or designer. This allows you to evenly illuminate the space under the roof, and sometimes even lower when it comes to high stairs. Skylights provide 30-40 percent more light than ordinary skylights. That is why architects and designers of ultra-modern spaces are so fond of using them, built on the merits of lighting, games of contrasts or light natural colors. 
An inclined window has its own peculiarities,due to "hard work", which he has to perform. An indefatigable toiler must withstand heavy snow and rain, hail and wind, changes in temperature and humidity. Therefore, externally the glass is usually made hardened, and for the installation of the window, special sets are used, and not the mounting foam. Virtually all roof windows are equipped with a vent valve - and this function should not be neglected. In addition to airing the room as such, the valve protects your window from condensation and lengthens its service life. 
Our opinion: - The most popular material of the frame is wood. It is reliable, environmentally friendly, looks great and fits into any stylist. But there are also frames made of more moisture resistant materials. Both the usual PVC structures and wood variants in polyurethane. It is the latter best to choose for children's rooms. They are warm, safe for health and do not get dirty, do not scratch and are easily washed off even with a felt-tip pen. 
Double-glazed window roof window Mostroof windows have single-chamber double-glazed windows - this reduces the weight of the structure, reduces the load on the ceilings and ensures the ergonomics of the window. In order to maintain a sufficient amount of heat, a “smart” technology of “warm perimeter” is used - a steel frame without joints and cold bridges, as well as filling the space between the glasses with an inert gas, safe for humans, argon. In terms of its heat-saving and frost-resistant characteristics, such a package is no worse than an ordinary double one. For most regions of Russia, this is quite enough. And for residents of a colder climatic zone, there are models with a double-glazed window and additional insulation. 
Marina Prozarovskaya, chief engineer of Velux inRussia: - Wherever there is a threat to break the window from the inside - especially for children's rooms and gaming - it's worth thinking about installing a safety glass unit. Inside is the so-called "triplex" - a glass that does not crumble and, in the event of an emergency, keeps fragments on a special film. In addition, the triplex significantly better protects household members from noise, and the interior - from burnout under the influence of sunlight. 
Opening principle The roof window is alwaysis in an inclined position, so it is inconvenient and dangerous to open it like a normal window. Other options are available. And they are all selected in accordance with the installation height and roof structure. 
For most conventional roofs with a slope of 15up to 90 degrees, the window with the opening on the central axis is best suited. The handle is located at the top of the window and allows you to place it at the optimal height - 90 cm from the floor - and put the furniture downstairs. In some models, the handle is connected to the vent valve, this is a particularly convenient and ergonomic option. 
If you need to install windows more standardheight, that is, at a level of 130-160 cm, you can use the windows with the bottom handle. The principle of opening does not change with them - on the central axis, but it will be much more convenient to use them. 
For a roof with a smaller slope suitablePanorama window that can be opened along the central and top axes. In such constructions two handles are provided. One is in the upper part and is combined with a valve-pane. For opening on the top axis there is a second handle - at the bottom of the window. This window gives the maximum view. And it can be used for access to the roof. 
If you need windows that will be locatedvery high, the best solution is automatic designs with remote control, including a rain sensor, which closes the window automatically when the first drops hit. 
If you want to install a balcony without changingthe geometry of the roof, the best solution - special windows-balconies. This window is mounted in the roof in the same way as the usual one, and consists of two parts. The upper one opens on the central and upper axis to 45 degrees, and the lower one opens outward, pushing out special rails. The design is safe and time-tested. For those wishing to create a full-fledged terrace, there is a set of sloping and vertical window elements that literally fill the interior with light and delight the beautiful views. However, in this case the lower platform will still have to be completed. 
Correct installation Finally, the installation principle.Unlike modern vertical windows, dormers are not placed on foam. In order to hermetically install such a window, there are special technologies, the specific application of which depends on the roof structure. For advice, it is better to turn to professionals and invite installers. To protect the window from water, for example, a flashing - a system of gutters that diverts flows helps. There are special kits for hydro and thermal insulation. 
Marina Prozarovskaya, chief engineer of Velux inRussia: - It is important to remember that the dormer windows are not made to the size of the opening, but are sold in finished assembled form with a standard ruler of sizes. Most architects are advised to provide for the placement of such windows directly at the design stage. Firstly, it's easier to calculate the required number of designs, and secondly, the tie-in of the window to the new roof will cost less than the adaptation of the old one to the necessary work. 
Accessories Most important and curtain or blinds.Due to the inclined arrangement, you cannot hang an ordinary curtain there, or you have to come up with additional accessories and fasteners for the fabric. But in general, it is difficult to do without window textiles, as a rule. Even a small dormer window facing the sunny side receives an average of 30-40% more sunlight than normal. One way or another, you will have to take care of protecting the household and the interior from the bright rays of the sun. 
Additional accessories - curtains, blinds,roller shutters, mosquito nets and the like. - The easiest way to order from the manufacturer. Then you do not need to waste time on calling gimmers and cutters. It is enough to choose the necessary options and their design and to report the exact dimensions of your window, written on a special plate. 
In addition, any attic window can be equipped with additional functions: remote control, rain sensor, programming, even connection to the smart house system. 
All about the attic windows: what to choose, how to put and what to add - etk-fashion.com
