Modern attic-a heated attic under a high roof with sloping walls and ceilings. They are becoming increasingly popular with cottage owners.
Scope of use of skylights
The arrangement of the attic with sloping Windows is an easy and quick way to get more living space at no extra cost. It is more convenient to illuminate this space with the help of special attic Windows. However, their first samples” in one glass ” were not suitable for use in bad climate.
With the advent of double-glazed Windows and glass with heat reflection in the development of skylights began a new stage. Increased thermal resistance of the window allowed to expand the geography of its application. The scope of use of skylights boldly ” stepped ” in the Scandinavian countries, although previously limited only to “roofs of Paris.”
Such Windows are easier to install, installation requires less time and materials. The main thing here — the correct calculation of the size and number of Windows, as well as the optimal height of their placement, because it affects the quality of natural light in the attic. And to work out such moments should be at the design stage. It is believed that for optimal lighting glazing area should be at least 10% of the floor area of the attic.
Roof Windows solve both decorative and functional tasks: they provide the specified characteristics of lighting and air exchange and are the most important element of the architectural expressiveness of the roof. The presence of inclined Windows in the attic does not exclude the use of vertical, you only need their correct combination.
Construction of roof Windows
Modern roof window is a high-tech design with decent heat, moisture and noise insulation properties. It consists of two parts – a box and a swivel frame (sash).
Although in some cases it is used and deaf, do not open the version.
Opening Windows are classified according to the method of suspension of the frame to the box. Without overloading your attention with excessively dry technical terms, I will name only these methods:
- The frame can rotate relative to the horizontal axis passing through its middle;
- Frames swing open in both sides relative to the sides of the box;
- The frame is suspended from the top of the box;
- Frames are suspended according to the combined scheme combining kinematics of three previous versions.
In the first case, the leaf is turned in special friction loops. The design of these loops makes it possible to rotate the rotating part almost 180° and rigidly fix it. Due to this, the outer surface of the window can be washed from the room. Agree, considerable help in General cleaning of the house.
When ventilating the attic space frame, fixed in an inclined position, divides its plane incoming and outgoing air flow, providing a more efficient air exchange. But even when the window is closed, the room can also be ventilated. For this purpose, a ventilation valve is provided, which can be located both in the leaf and in the frame. It is very convenient in inclement weather, strong wind and snow.
The frame and glass in the roof Windows should be light and very strong to withstand the same loads as the roof, and not to weigh down the window structure. Frames are made mainly of laminated wood, rarely-of PVC.
For glazing, as a rule, use filled with argon (due to this increased heat resistance and sound insulation) single-chamber Windows with tempered impact-resistant glass with heat-reflective selective coating.
The outer surface of the structure is often lined with aluminum plates. And on perimeter of a window, in places of its connection with a roof, establish profile salaries — drainage systems. Flowing down the slope rain fall in the upper part of salary, and by two side guides again flow down on the roof, but below the window. Type and material of salary depends on the material of the roof.
Attic Windows “pull” for a component, the need for which depends solely on the tastes of the owners and their desire for comfort.
Blinds and external shutters change the direction of the light flow and the intensity of lighting, as well as, thanks to the heat-reflecting coating of the glass, partially regulate the temperature in the attic.
Where to install skylights
Dimensions of roof Windows are standard. But how to find the optimal place for their “landing”? Does the advice follow a straight logic. The best option of placement-installation of a window so that both sitting, and standing in front of him the person opened the maximum review of the surrounding landscape.
Sometimes this localization is in conflict with the convenience of opening and closing Windows. In this case, the use of special cords, rods and even remote control is provided. New design solutions can significantly expand the possibilities of skylights. For example, some companies offer non-standard complexes, in which two Windows, United by a single salary, are installed at the ridge from different sides of the roof or on broken roofs.
The window turns into a balcony
Structural solutions of roof Windows are largely the same for all manufacturers. For example, it is necessary to show only one firm in the construction market technical innovation, so soon it will appear and competitors. Especially significant in this regard is the new conceptual solution – a window that turns into a balcony.
The first on the market this novelty showed the company VELUX. I will dwell on this witty design. We can safely say that since the invention of the attic window in the mid-40s of the last century there was no such cardinal design breakthrough as the creation of the company VELUX GDL Cabrio window. It consists of two opening flaps and in a closed form does not differ from the usual window. When opening, the upper flap opens at 45° – almost to a horizontal position.
The novelty of the design lies in the fact that the lower leaf can be decomposed outward to a vertical position, transforming into a balcony railing. When opening the leaf pulls a hinge-lever system of the side fence.
This design allows you to arrange a very romantic balcony on the top floor of the building. Somewhere in a year a similar design was demonstrated at exhibitions by experts from FAKRO.
Manufacturers of roof Windows are constantly working to improve the consumer properties of their products, trying to increase the resistance to heat transfer, to make the design more lightweight and durable, to expand its functionality.