Vertical skylight. What are skylights? Appointment of windows on the roofs of houses

• Windows built into the roof structure are quite common, especially since attics have long ceased to be used only as a warehouse for old things. And they provide additional lighting. The rationalism of our time does not interfere with a creative approach to the re-equipment of the attic for various useful premises: a bedroom, an office, and more.

  In architecture, an attic window is defined as a window opening made in a roof with an attic. Thus, the name of the attic window, lucarne, dormer, dormer or even birdhouse, in fact, does not matter. All of them are needed for ventilation and lighting of the under-roof space. The only question is how convenient it is to open them, and in general they close or not.

  What are attic windows for?
  

  • First of all, attic windows are designed for ventilation, and this applies to almost any of them: both attic and technical.

  On a note

  In a cold attic, they also help equalize the pressure inside and outside the room during strong winds. Otherwise, the lifting force formed during the hurricane wind will blow the roof off the house. A competent arrangement of a dormer window in the attic (see photo) will save you from such trouble.

  • Another purpose of window structures is attic lighting. The sun's rays should not only penetrate under the roof, but in the under-roof space there should be enough light. This requirement is important not only for living quarters, but also for technical ones, because the mold fungus develops even in semi-darkness. The only thing is that you need to choose its shape correctly in order to provide the necessary luminous flux for this room.
  • The attic window is also used to access the roof.

  Classification by design features

  The name "window in the attic roof" speaks for itself. Before embarking on the installation of windows in the roof, you need to familiarize yourself with the varieties of such structures and the requirements of SNiP.

  Structures may be located in different ways. According to this principle, they are divided into:

  • Vertical or end. They are located on the end wall. Simple and easy to operate and maintain, they are easy to open and close, wash and paint;
  • Horizontal. Significantly increase the illumination of the internal space, but make it difficult to clear the snow accumulated on the roof;
  • Balcony or recessed. Through them you can go to the balcony terrace or balcony. If we talk about providing illumination, then from this point of view they are not very effective;
  • Inclined. A window in the attic roof of this design appeared relatively recently, but immediately became in demand, since it can almost double the illumination of the interior space. In addition, it fits perfectly into the design of the roof of the house;
  • . This is a completely transparent design, which is mounted on a flat attic roof. It provides fairly good illumination and does not cast shadows;
  • Light tunnels. A structure resembling a pipe in shape, which abuts against a lamp inside the attic, which evenly scatters light;
  • Cornice. They combine the features of horizontal and inclined windows. Their installation is possible only if there is a high wall not lower than 180 cm.

  Classical species and their new varieties

  

  Window structures for attics differ, in particular, by the type of roof:

  • Attic windows of complex shape, as a rule, have an unusual geometric shape and give the house a certain style. On the one hand, they fit perfectly into the roof, and on the other hand, they interestingly change its shape and design.
  • The round window looks like a porthole. It is made either entirely of glass or in the form of a stained-glass window - so often stylishly decorated mansions. For flat roofs, dome structures are sometimes chosen using translucent materials.
  • A rather interesting solution is a semicircular shape, which is distinguished by smooth, graceful lines of the roof. For example, a bull's-eye design cannot be overlooked, it is so spectacular. In addition, it is very functional.

  Attic windows and their size

  

  The dimensions and shape of attic windows are determined based on the design features of the roof, and their functionality is largely determined by the location. They should not be too small - through such a small window in the attic in case of emergency, say, in a fire, it will be impossible to get out.

  There is a certain relationship between the size of the window structure and the distance between the rafters. For example, for a flat roof with a slope of up to 30˚, the length should start from 1.4 m, and the width should be 40–50 mm less than the distance between the supporting elements of the truss system.

  On a note

  When installing a tiled roof, the width of the window is chosen as a multiple of the width of the tile.

  Installation

  

  • The simplest is the design of the lucarne, which is located between adjacent elements of the truss system. At the same time, the load-bearing system of the roof remains unchanged: the facade pillars rest with their lower end on the rafter legs, and the upper end is nailed to the splints. The side walls are laid on short racks. The width of the structure is limited by the pitch of the rafters and is usually equal to either 60 cm or 90 cm.
  • If you need to increase the width of the lucarne, then the rafters are reinforced.
  • if necessary, one or two rafter legs are cut, and the extreme rafters that frame the contours of the attic window are doubled;
  • between the extreme rafter legs, the beamers are laid at once, which connect the cut ends of the rafter legs in the lower and upper parts. The rest of the installation repeats the design device of the previous type.
  • If the intended width is even greater, a self-supporting structure is the best solution. It is also valuable because it does not create an additional load on the roof.

  Consider the technology of a more complex attic window

  Lucarna device "bull's eye"

  

  Such a design is thought out at the design stage. First of all, this concerns the supporting frame and the front wall.

  An essential point in the design of the latter is the ratio between the height and length of the front wall, which varies depending on the roofing material used.

  "Bull's eye" is mainly covered with tiles: flat, say, "beaver tail", ceramic grooved or cement. If desired, you can use environmentally friendly wooden shingles or straw. The easiest way is to use flat tiles for covering.

  Note these ratios for popular roofing materials.

Today we will touch on the topic - skylights. It is interesting in that it is a non-standard option for the location of window openings. This is especially true for private housing construction, because until quite recently no one in Russia heard about window structures of this type. Let's talk about their varieties, features and installation rules, as well as which ones can be used. You will understand this topic, you will understand what and why the masters who are entrusted with the installation of skylights in their home do.

Types of window structures on roofs

In principle, the classification includes only two positions: the already mentioned attic and auditory. They differ from each other mainly in location. The former are installed on the slopes of mansard roofs, the latter in the gables of pitched roofs. Now let's deal with them separately and start with auditory ones, you will understand why.

Windows on the pitched roof of a private house Source fccland.ru an> Source pinterest.com

Dormer windows

This type of roof windows got its name not because of the fact that something was eavesdropped through them, because there is no one to listen to under the roof structure. They were first invented by an engineer named Rumors, who was responsible for the construction of the roof of the Moscow arena. It was there that the first windows on the roofs appeared.

The classification of dormer windows is not wide. By location, they are divided into gable and pitched. By design, the division is divided into three types:

in its pure form, a window opening located on the gables of the roof structure, that is without additional elements;

on the pediment with side walls and a visor;

on slopes with side walls and a visor.

The last two models are popularly called "cuckoos".

It is purely conditional that a division can be made according to the configuration of the visor, although architects believe that it is the shape of the window roof that often plays an important role in creating a single building project. There are visors:

lean-to;

gable;

arched;

flat they are French.

Auditory structures located on the slope of the roof Source prohor-stroy.ru

It would seem that dormer windows are a simple and functional solution. But the architects again warn that the type, design, location is chosen strictly taking into account compatibility with the architecture of the building. Otherwise, this element will look like alien.

We must immediately make a reservation that for the dormer windows for the roof, a set of norms and rules (SNiP) was compiled under the number 21-01. It clearly outlines some of the requirements related to with place of installation window construction of this type:

dormer windows are installed only on slopes, the angle of inclination of which over 35° ;

minimum size of window sashes - 0.6-0.8 m, respectively, the dimensions of the entire opening should be 1.2x0.8 m;

if the windows according to the project are installed on a hip roof, then the slope on which the window structures are mounted, should not be a continuation of the wall of the building.

There is a recommendation in SNiP, which architects themselves know about. It is believed that hearing products should be installed on the same vertical as the windows in the walls of the house. In this way, the architectural proportions of the structure are not violated.

Dormer window on the gable of the roof Source vivbo.ru

How to make a dormer window

If it concerns the pediment, then there is nothing complicated.

In the process of facing the gable part of the roof, between the supports for the rafter legs, opening, at least 1.2 m wide.

into it install two crossbars, defining the size of the opening in height. That is, the window opening is formed finally with the required dimensions.

Under the opening ordered window construction wood, plastic or aluminium.

After manufacturing carry out the installation according to standard technology, as in the wall of a house or apartment.

How to make a window on a roof gable Source cconstruction.co.uk

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of installing windows and doors of any configuration. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

If the dormer window is a "cuckoo", then here the installation process is not limited to the installation of glazing. It is necessary to build a rather complex structure in the form of a house with a roof. First, let's make a reservation that the "cuckoo" is collected between two roof rafters:

Between the rafters according to the level of the window sill and the ridge of the canopy of the dormer window install crossbars from the same material as the rafters themselves.

If necessary strengthen the structure, then between the rafter legs to the cornice one or two pieces of boards are laid in the form of a shortened leg to form an overhang. Exactly the same elements are laid to the roof ridge. The first rest with their upper edges on the lower crossbar, the upper lower edges on the top.

Now form house walls. From the rails with a section of 50x50 mm, racks are installed along two rafter legs in increments of 40-50 cm. They are cut so that they are located on the same horizontal line along the upper ends.

Now all the racks are on the upper ends oblige all the same rail 50x50 mm.

This is how the frame of the cuckoo protrusion looks like for the auditory glazing structure Source dekorrapi.jew.access.ly

Peak visor should rest with its rear end against the upper cross-beam between the rafters. They attach it to her.

Under the opposite end set rack, which with its lower end abuts against the element of the upper trim (facade).

Install canopy rafters, abutting the ridge and the upper trim.

Insulate the entire structure, sheathed from the outside and from the inside, cover the visor with roofing material.

Install window on the roof of the house according to standard technology, that is, vertically.

Skylights

In general, there is a complete mess with skylights. Someone believes that the auditory structures installed in the mansard roof can also be considered mansard. Someone denies this and assures that this category includes window structures that are installed in the plane of the roof slope. All others are auditory.

Therefore, the townsfolk are confused in the names, often calling one variety by another. There is nothing wrong with this, because this does not affect the roof window itself. But to be honest, they started talking about attic window models as a separate group only when they began to be built into the plane of the roof slopes. So, we will assume that this is the attic variety.

Now directly about the window itself. There are strict rules for the window area that must be present on the roof. Its value should not exceed 10% of the area of ​​the entire pitched structure. For example, if the roof area is 100 m², then the window area should not exceed 10 m². With such a difference, the natural illumination inside the attic will be normal, and heat losses will not exceed acceptable standards.

Skylights in the plane of the roof slope Source trade-point.co.uk

This was rule number one for attic windows. Now the second rule. It sounds like this: it is better to have several small windows than one large one. Therefore, there is an unspoken rule that displays area ratio glazing with number of windows:

glazing area 1 m² – 2 windows;

2 m² - 3 windows;

Classification

There are several criteria by which windows of this type are classified. One of the most insignificant (we'll start with it) is blind or opening windows. We must immediately make a reservation that well-known manufacturers of roof windows do not produce a deaf variation. But they can make an exception for large orders. True, the deaf ones will not differ in price from the opening ones.

As for the latter, there is a fairly wide choice:

open around the central axis installed in the middle of the window;

Models with opening doors around a central axis Source: www.dachgewerk.de

around an axis located at the top frame window construction or slightly lower by ¼ of the height of the window itself;

Models with an axis at the top window frame Source concept-casa.ro

hinged side opening design.

Attic model with a swing sash Source nova-co.ru

There is a modern model, which is called window-balconies. The structure consists of two wings: the first opens around a horizontal axis located at the top frame. This sash opens to a horizontal position. And in its open form, it represents a visor over the window opening.

The second sash opens in exactly the same way as the first, only its axis is located at the bottom frame. Its maximum opening is a vertical arrangement. That is, in its open form, it represents a glazed fencing of the opening along the front side. In this case, the window is provided with sidewalls along the lower sash, which create a side railing of an impromptu balcony.

Attic glazing structure of the "balcony" type Source nesmetnoe.ru

Roof window installation technology

The modern market offers a huge number of attic windows from different manufacturers. Each of them has its own requirements for the installation process. Let's designate the most common differences:

Models from Fakro and Roto install only for truss system, and from the company Velux on the crate.

At Fakro before installation it is necessary remove double-glazed windows, Velux has no such need.

Depending on the type of roofing material, Fakro skylights are installed to a certain depth, which is indicated in the product passport with the letters: V, N or J.

So, first of all, form a window opening. Here, as in the case of the auditory option, it is necessary to determine the installation location. To do this, transverse elements are installed between the rafters.

A box is assembled from four boards, which is inserted into the opening. And where it is fixed with self-tapping screws through the rafter legs and laid crossbars. The most important thing is the elements of the box. Grooves are made in them with a cutter, indicating the landing site of the roof window frame. It seems that it would be possible to make grooves on the rafter legs and cross members. But in no case should the truss system be weakened even on two elements, because this design bears a large load and is the center of the roof.

Forming an opening for installing a roof window

The window is inserted into the box, to which they are attached with special brackets and self-tapping screws. There is one subtlety here:

fix first top brackets, but not to the end;

bait lower, but do not attach them to the box;

expose window structure exactly in the opening, taking into account the gaps;

then tighten upper brackets and attach the lower ones.

Now install additional elements. This is an apron made of waterproofing film, which is laid around the perimeter of the window. On top of it is a metal apron, the elements of which are an assembled visor structure. They are attached to the box with screws around the perimeter. This completes the installation, the builders proceed to laying the roofing material on the roof.

If it is necessary to install a window in the roof of the attic, which is already covered with roofing material, then the technology is slightly modified. The differences are that you will first have to disassemble part of the roofing. Then cut the layers of the roofing cake: waterproofing membrane, insulation and vapor barrier. And here it is necessary to accurately measure and cut. Everything else is exactly the same as in the described process.

Video description

In the video, the technology for installing a roof window is disassembled step by step:

Conclusion on the topic

The information given in the article should help to understand what dormers and skylights are and which ones exist. In fact, the technology of their installation is simple. Masters representing manufacturing companies are trained in specialized centers, so their skills can be trusted. Many portals write that installing windows on the roof is a simple process. Nobody argues with this. But it's not worth the risk, especially with models built into slopes. Self-activity here will only get in the way. The low quality of the end result is guaranteed in many cases. In addition, many window manufacturing companies only give a guarantee if the installation was carried out by a certified construction company.

Greetings, dear readers!

The construction term denoting an important part of the roof called "dormer window", according to Dahl's explanatory dictionary, means an opening prepared "for hearing".

This is not an accurate definition of the functional abilities of a window with the definition "auditory" suggests that Vladimir Dal, of course, was a writer, ethnographer, doctor and a very educated person, but had nothing to do with construction.

If he were a builder, he would give a different definition to this element, which is installed on almost all pitched roofs and is not intended at all for the unhindered penetration of sound waves.

Why and how dormers are installed correctly, you will learn by reading this article.

Dormer window - what is it?

A window opening in a roof slope, in which a vertical frame is installed, closed at the top and sides, is called a dormer window.

Initially, such a window was conceived as a way to ventilate the under-roof space, but over time it has become one of the elements of the roof structure, which can simultaneously perform several functions.

To give a "zest", to revive and decorate the roof of any house - this is one of the purposes of the dormer window, acquired by him over the many years of his operation.

Changing its appearance and its dimensions, the window began to evoke different visual associations and received many original names: "bull's eye", "frog's mouth", "pike window", "dwarf's house", "bat".

When houses in densely populated cities could no longer accommodate all their inhabitants, they had to look for a way out: how to expand the living space. And an interesting solution to this problem was found - to arrange attics in the attic.

Simultaneously with the arrangement of attic spaces, another important function appeared at the dormer window - to serve as a source of natural light.

Thus, as a result of all kinds of additions and changes, the usual “birdhouse” on the roof has become an architectural and structurally necessary part of the roof and the room under the roof.

In the future, for the qualitative performance of all the functional duties added over time by the dormer windows, they began to be installed in certain areas of the roof space, which are located in the south direction.

When a dormer window is installed in an ordinary non-residential attic, and its main purpose is to ventilate the space under the roof, a simple ventilation grill can be inserted into the opening instead of a frame.

It allows the dormer window to cope as much as possible with the duty originally assigned to it.

As a result, in the attic space there are no such negative phenomena as:

• condensate, into which warm air is converted, penetrating under the roof from the lower floors and rapidly cooling in the under-roof space. In the absence of proper ventilation, this phenomenon not only adversely affects the roof of the roof, but can have a destructive effect on the load-bearing structural elements and significantly reduce the period of their trouble-free operation;
• mold and mildew growth, which, under comfortable conditions, may well find their way and move to the room under the attic. Sometimes residents of the upper floors of residential buildings for a long time try to cope with black spots in the corners and under the ceiling in their apartment, not finding the true cause of this phenomenon. But the installation of a dormer window can help them completely solve this issue - for additional access of fresh air to the under-roof space.

There is another meaning in the installation of a roof element called “dormer window”, which does not lie on the surface, but has a special meaning for the reliability of the roof structure and its operation in strong winds.

Only a flat roof is not subjected to the pressure of air masses.

All one-, two-pitched, as well as broken protruding roof structures are built with the expectation of providing decent resistance to wind loads.

Left unattended, the wind load factor can destroy the roof, gradually creating vibration and loosening the supporting structure.

Destruction can also occur simultaneously, when due to the high speed of the air flow outside the building under the roof, an air vacuum is created. The stronger the wind, the greater the pressure drop outside and below the roof, and this in some cases ends with the entire roof rising like a balloon takeoff.

To resist such a scenario of development of events, the installation of a dormer window in the roof is called upon - at first glance, an ordinary ventilation opening, but in fact a structural element that takes into account the complex laws of physics.

It is this window that is the valve that, if necessary, will work and relieve the under-roof space from excess pressure.

Even if the dormer window is closed not with a ventilation grill, but with a glazed frame, the air flow will rather squeeze out the glass than have a destructive effect on the roof itself.

The technology of installing a dormer window on the roof in the video:

Design features of the classic dormer window

The standard dormer window is a rectangular structure, which is an additional roof superstructure. Its purpose is to, without letting precipitation into the under-roof space, provide access to fresh air and daylight.

A conventional dormer window is installed in the gap between the rafters in order not to disturb the supporting structure of the roof. If it is necessary to provide more air access, it is allowed to install several dormer windows in the spaces between the rafters in one row or one above the other.

The classic dormer window looks like a glass window frame with ventilation holes around it, covered with a ventilation grill in the form of louvres. If the window is small, then, as a rule, it is closed only with a ventilation grill.

Often, this type of window openings combines the function of doors for free access to the roof surface, if the building is not equipped with a fire escape.

For the attic space, a difference of about 5-10 degrees is considered optimal compared to the air temperature outside the building.

Temperature values ​​that differ upwards will be fraught with the formation of condensation on the internal structure. And this, in turn, may require the use of special materials that can withstand high humidity.

Such troubles are fought by installing dormer windows, which come in different shapes and design features.

The most popular are:

• lean-to. One of the longest used and structurally the most simple auditory superstructures on the roof. The angle of inclination of the roof of this window should be about 15 0 . An increase in this size is permissible only with a significant slope of the roof itself. If this rule is not observed, water may leak at the junction of the main roof with the roof of the dormer window, which will require additional waterproofing measures for this area;

• gable. As well as lean-tos, they have been installed on roofs since the Middle Ages. This is confirmed by many historical architectural monuments that have preserved these decorations on the roof to this day.

A distinctive feature of the gable acoustic design is the relative complexity of its installation. To do this, it is necessary to correctly calculate the docking of all its components, both among themselves and with the main roof structure. But the complexity of manufacturing a gable dormer window (compared to a single-sided one) is fully justified by greater practicality in terms of the distribution of water flows.

Visually, the two slopes on the roof of this window look like a complete architectural form and do not require any additions.

The materials for the side and front gables of the dormer windows can repeat those with which the facade of the building is finished, but immediately take on the appearance of a decorative element if their exterior finish is made in contrast with the facade finish.

Dormer roofs, unlike gables, are usually covered with the same material that covers the main roof.

Why a roof window?

If you look at the dormer window from the street, the answer to the question why it is on the roof comes by itself: in many cases, to decorate the general appearance of the building.

The builder, on the other hand, will explain the necessity of building a window with practical benefits, citing several purely technical arguments as evidence.

A person living under a roof in an attic will talk about the comfort that a dormer window creates. In particular, he will tell about the daylight and fresh air coming through it, and most importantly, about the opportunity to look at the world from a different point of view than through the windows below.

A building with original dormer windows becomes unlike others that do not have such an element in their design.

Here you can draw an analogy between buildings and people - a different hairdresser will transform his client with an elaborate hairstyle so that his own mother hardly recognizes it. A dormer window on the roof, as well as a hair on the head of a fashionista, can be one and only.

Over time, fashion trends have not bypassed this element of the roof structure. Fanciful dormer windows, through which residents of cozy attic spaces looked out three hundred years ago, were replaced by inconspicuous dormer openings in rapidly erected houses of the last century.

But fashion and freedom of thought are now making themselves felt again with the appearance on the roofs of many private houses, seemingly left in the past "houses for the gnome" and the look of the "bull's eye".

Our time has not been able to wash away the plaque of centuries from the dormer windows, except that it has added a few changes in the form of a double-glazed window in the frame and automation for self-closing the window in case of bad weather.

But for the attic space not equipped for housing, the dormer window remained exactly the same and performs the same functions: maintaining the performance of the roof structure and the material covering this structure.

The principles of dormer windows on the roof with a cold attic in the video:

Types

The definitions by which dormer windows are classified correspond to the visual characteristics of roofs installed over a particular opening.

For instance:

• flat roof. It is used mainly for purely technical purposes and does not affect the appearance of buildings. The angle of inclination with respect to the main roof is from 5 0 to a maximum value of 15 0;
• single pitched roof. It is very similar to a flat one, but differs in the angle of inclination, starting from 15 0 and increasing in parallel with the increase in the slope of the main roof;
• gable. In addition to mandatory functions, it also has architectural significance for the appearance of the building;
• hip roof. A type of gable roof, with a cut front slope located at the same angle as the main roof;
• triangular roof. Minimum daylight source;
• glass roof. Designed to provide maximum access to daylight in the attic;
• semicircular roof. The famous "bull's eye". A stylish option that differs from all the others not only in its attractive appearance, but also in the significant cost of its installation.

Acute dormer window

A dormer with a triangular or, as it is also called, a "sharp" roof can often be found on buildings of historical value.

The main problem with the installation of windows with such a roof is that they are not too large or too small in relation to the total volume of the roof. Their sides should have the same angle as the main roof. If these conditions are not met, the triangular window will look like a foreign fragment on the roof.

Another condition for the compliance of acute-angled windows with the general style of the building is the correctly chosen places for their installation. They should be on the same axis with the windows of the facade located under them.

The advantage of these dormer windows over other options is that they can be located at a higher level.

Another advantage of acute-angled windows is the simplicity of waterproofing the junctions. Since the window roof covering is connected at a developed angle with the main roof, their joint is formed as an internal junction on ordinary broken roofs - internal and external.

The installation of triangular dormer windows does not significantly increase the volume of the attic space, and this factor is their main drawback.

Design features of the installation

There are no clearly defined rules and strict instructions for installing a dormer window. The main requirement relates to maintaining the rigidity and reliability of the entire roof structure.

The installation location depends on the individual requirements of the developer and the aesthetic perception of the entire appearance of the building.

Before drawing a dormer window on a plan, it is important to decide what function it will have to perform - aesthetic or practical. The choice of the shape and size of the window largely depends on this decision.

If you install two dormer windows at a close distance (less than one meter), then it will become difficult to install a roof covering between them.

In winter, adjacent windows will contribute to the formation of snow bags, which will negatively affect the waterproofing of window adjoinings and cause an increased weight load on the main roof structure.

Dormer windows, which carry only purely technical functions, are usually installed without disturbing the structure in the gap between the rafters.

When it is necessary to install a dormer in the place where one or more rafter legs are located, then changes are made to the design of the main roof based on calculations related to snow and wind loads. At the same time, reinforced rafter legs are necessarily added under the side walls of the dormer window.

How to expand the attic space

Arranging a living space in an attic under a roof is quite simple - it is enough to insulate the walls and roof. However, there is a certain difficulty in how to access a sufficient amount of daylight into the room and at the same time at least visually expand the attic space.

Installing a roof window in the plane of the roof partially solves the problem - it allows light and fresh air to pass through. But this is a partial solution to the problem, since the actual volumes of the room do not increase, but remain in the same contours limited by the roof.

The device of a large-sized dormer window allows you to install the same (in size) window in its front gable as on the facade of the building, increasing the height of the protrusion in the room under the dormer opening to the height of the ridge of the main roof.

With sufficiently large dimensions - the height to the roof ridge and the distance from the central axis of the building to its side wall, the opening built into the roof under the dormer window may well be a separate house for its residents.

Increasing the internal living space, one must not forget that this can negatively affect the external appearance of the building. Therefore, it is important to monitor the observance of the proportions between the dimensions of the main roof and the dormer window installed on it.

Dormer window configurations

The architectural style within which a certain building was built is not limited to the foundation and facade. Like a point set in any business, the same point in construction is the roof installed on the building. Its outlines should not violate the general idea of ​​the architect. Therefore, many creators of grandiose projects install spiers or domes instead of a roof.

You can play with the external perception of any building by adding ledges in the form of dormer windows to the roof of various shapes.

This solves two problems at once:

• technical. A solution that is necessary for long-term and trouble-free operation of the structure and roofing;
• aesthetic. Without the solution of which, in principle, the construction of modern buildings is impossible.

Arranged in a certain sequence, in the right places and with dimensions that meet certain proportions even the most ordinary shed dormer windows can look like a decorative fragment of the interior.

With pitched roof

Flat roof windows are the simplest form of dormer windows installed on roofs.

The slope of the single slope above this window is not much different from the slope of the roof itself.

Windows of this type are most often installed on ready-made roofs, because their installation does not require cutting into the supporting system. It is enough just to cut out a part of the crate along with the roofing between the rafters.

Insufficient slope of the flat roof of the dormer window, if it is covered with tiles, may cause snow to accumulate on its surface and water to drain poorly. This disadvantage can be eliminated by replacing the coating with a more suitable one, for example, a metal tile or a profile sheet.

For drainage, ordinary semicircular or square gutters are used.

With gable roof

Windows with a gable or semicircular roof require special attention in the approach to their installation.

The opening for a gable dormer window, as a rule, cuts into the structure of the main roof and can significantly affect its reliability.

The location of this dormer window may have special bindings depending on the purposes that the window should fulfill.

If this window is a technical exit to the roof surface, then its location in the attic space should be at a height of free access.

A window with a gable roof can be decorated in different architectural styles:

• with or without a pediment;
• with or without a ledge;
• with or without water drains.

The best option for the appearance of a gable window is when it has one window opening on the front gable that is not separated by partitions. Several small windows make the dormer too bulky.

The process of installing a dormer window in the finished roof

The first step is to choose the optimal installation location. If a mistake is made and the window needs to be moved to another place, it will be extremely difficult to close the opening in the roof.

Having decided on the installation site, you need to pay attention to the location of the rafter legs in this place. The best option would be not to touch the rafters at all.

But if the distance between them is small, and the dormer window is wider than it, then it is necessary to carry out actions to insure against subsidence of the roof plane.

To the place where the rafter leg will be sawn and after it, you need to install reliable supports.

They can be dismantled only after the complete installation of the dormer window.

Then you should consider how and with what material the cut opening can be temporarily protected from precipitation.

If the marking has been carried out and all safety actions have been completed, you can proceed to dismantle the crate and the material covering the roof.

In order to avoid downtime and inconsistencies in the process of installing a dormer window, the builders must have a draft of the future finished product and all the materials necessary for work before the start of work.

Dolmer dormer installation technology on the roof of the house in the video:

How to issue

On buildings built in our country, four types of dormer windows are most often found. This:

• with a flat roof, the slope of which does not exceed 15 0 ;
• with gable roof, the slope of both slopes of which must correspond to the slope of the roof;
• gable roof- a variant of a gable with an additional slope starting from the ridge and lowered to the front gable;
• semicircular roof with an arched front gable.

There are no strict restrictions on the use of covering materials for these roofs, but there are recommendations.

They are as follows:

• it is desirable to cover a flat roof with materials that allow water to drain freely with a slight slope;
• in cases where the slope of the slopes is sufficient for good drainage, they should be covered with the same material as the main roof.

To decorate the gables, you can use any materials used in the decoration of the facades of buildings, but with an indispensable condition for their low weight.

Window openings in dormer windows (both rectangular and arcuate) are installed in the same way as on the facade of the building - strictly horizontally.

Purpose

Dormer windows are installed on many residential and industrial buildings with a roof that has a general slope.

The space under the roof can be used for arranging a room there or for purely technical purposes - maintenance of the truss system and roofing.

Depending on the purpose of the attic space, approaches to choosing a dormer window defined in form and functionality change.

The functions that the dormer window performs include:

• room lighting;
• constant supply of fresh air;
• the possibility of access to the roof surface;
• decorative design of the building.

The main part of the auditory opening is the window itself, which can be:

• round or oval;
• square or rectangular;
• triangular.

The shape of the window does not affect the reliability and design features.

Window contours are important only for the aesthetic perception of the architectural integrity of the building.

Ramp slope

To provide for the correct slope of the slopes and to protect the problem areas of docking the dormer window with the main roof from leaking is the main task in its design and installation.

With a large roof area of ​​the dormer window, water should be drained using gutters.

It is best to additionally waterproof the joints of the walls of the dormer window with the roof, as well as install a valley there, and the lower one must necessarily go a few centimeters beyond the main roof.

The slope of the slope for a flat roof should not exceed 15 0. In other cases, the slope must be selected relative to the slope of the main roof.

Roben dormer window device in the video:

Window outlines

If you choose a dormer window for the simplicity of the device and practicality, then the triangular or acute-angled shape meets these criteria better than the rest.

This configuration has a small line of contact with the roof, which greatly reduces the problem of possible moisture penetration under the roof.

When choosing a triangular window for installation, you should be aware that it gives the least effect to the illumination of the room, and increasing it to eliminate this drawback will negatively affect the appearance of the building.

How best to position

In order not to disturb the visual design of the building design, architects can arrange the dormer openings in one row along a horizontal or vertical line. And they can scatter windows randomly or in a checkerboard pattern - there are practically no restrictions on location.

The only condition is that external beauty does not create inconvenience for those who may have to use the dormer windows from the attic space.

Given this aspect, it is desirable to place windows at a distance of about one meter from the attic floor.

How to Install a Skylight

When installing different types of dormer windows, there are some features inherent in the device of a particular type of windows, but there is no fundamental difference in the order of actions performed.

However, the order itself must be strictly observed:

• draw up an exact plan for the location of dormer windows, taking into account all the features of the main roof. Make a drawing of the window with an exact indication of all overall dimensions;
• if necessary, it should be determined in which places the safety props should be located, and install them before starting work;
• cut a hole in the roof for a window according to the dimensions indicated in the drawing;
• reinforce the opening with horizontal bars by attaching them to the ends of the trimmed rafter legs;
• strengthen the rafter legs on which the sides of the dormer window rest - they will carry the entire load from the cut rafters;
• after sheathing the opening along the perimeter and creating a rigid base, you can proceed to the construction of the selected type of dormer window;
• the further procedure repeats the procedure for constructing a conventional roof with mandatory vapor and waterproofing and the installation of an appropriate insulation system;
• before the device for the exterior decoration of the walls and the roof of the dormer window, the sections should be carefully waterproofed joining with the base roof.

Before installing a dormer window, it is advisable to calculate the cost and the need for its installation. Perhaps the installation of a conventional roof window will solve all the issues of lighting and ventilation, moreover, it will certainly cost less.

If the decision is made in favor of the dormer window, then you need to competently approach the choice of its shape. Because an attractive-looking arched window called a "bull's eye" will cost its future owner a price equal to installing several windows of simpler contours.

What is the optimal shape of the dormer window to choose for each specific case, you can find out by systematizing the data presented in this article.

A dormer window is a glazed window frame on the roof, designed to illuminate and ventilate the attic or attic space, as well as for direct access to the roof. This small architectural element has many names: "birdhouse", "dwarf's house" and the historical "lucarne". As a rule, the dormer window is located parallel to the facade wall or is its continuation. There are a thousand ways to make a dormer window on the roof and decorate it in an original way, giving the building its own unique look.

What is a skylight for?

Initially, the auditory openings on the roof were conceived to equalize the air pressure between the outer atmospheric and the inner underroof. From the point of view of the laws of physics, excess pressure is more likely to knock out fragile glass than lift and deform a heavy roof.

In addition to its practical function, lucarna often has a decorative value. Decorated with carved platbands, stucco framing and other decorative elements, it serves as a decoration for both the exterior of the house and the interior of the attic.

What are dormer windows?

The variety of types of roofing superstructures is determined by the given shape of the window opening and the architecture of the roof.

Dormer windows are distinguished by the shape of the window frame:

• rectangular,
• triangular,
• arched (semicircular).

According to the design of the slopes:

• lean-to,
• gable,
• hip.

According to the method of location in the roof structure:

• Dormer - is made in the form of a ledge in the roof slope, requires increased waterproofing. The most common in the practice of construction work.
• Antidormer - built into the roof structure, therefore, it does not require additional waterproofing, which is why it is easier to perform. However, it takes up internal space from the attic and, apparently, is rare for this reason.
• An inclined window is the same as a roof window.
• In a gable wall - a dormer window is arranged in the end wall. The frame is often triangular, trapezoid, or arch-shaped.
• Skylight - a window or glass structure on a horizontal or flat roof with a minimum allowable slope (5-15 0).

Also, attic "birdhouses" are made with and without side walls. They are located with a pediment in the same plane with the facade wall or outside its plane, a little higher and further on the roof slope.

What is the difference between a skylight and a skylight?

A variant of the glazed opening on the roof is a roof window. Only it is not installed vertically, but at an angle, and lies in the same plane with the roof slope. By virtue of its structural arrangement, such a window must withstand the same loads as the material covering the roof: rain, hail, the severity of snow cover. A significant advantage of skylights is that they let more light into the under-roof space than vertical window openings closed from above and from the sides by a "birdhouse" box.

If it is possible to make the roof window opening large enough, then you can turn it into a balcony door and organize a roof balcony, as in the photo below.

Since roof windows should not let in external moisture, it is unlikely that you will be able to make a waterproof salary for them yourself. It is recommended to purchase ready-made plastic and wooden double-glazed windows from an official manufacturer. Such window blocks are manufactured in compliance with the production technology and, as part of the roofing, meet all the necessary requirements.

Dormer window in the form of a skylight

Historically, a lantern in architecture is a beam architectural form that crowns the dome of a building and serves as a source of overhead lighting and ventilation. Lanterns decorated with decorative details were installed on temples and cathedrals. Nowadays, the lantern is the glass part of the horizontal roof. It is performed in the form of a flat window, dome, pyramid or in the form of a greenhouse. They visually increase the height of the attic space and let in more sunlight.

Roof window: practical and aesthetic

Because of these examples, one might get the impression that dormer windows are needed only in residential premises, and they are not appropriate in uninhabited attics used as storage for all belongings. This is not entirely true, since roof outlets are needed to ventilate the attic space and to provide technical access to the roof. Forms of roofing and options for roofing superstructures can be very diverse. Lucarnes are placed both on roofing slopes and gables - the end walls of a gable roof. Made with a creative approach, they will become a decorative decoration for your entire home.

Regulations

Sitting down to think about the design and starting to draw up a drawing of the future dormer window, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the requirements of sanitary norms and rules, better known as SNiPs.

If the project provides for the arrangement of several auditory openings in a row, the distance between their outer edges should be at least 80 cm. Compliance with this requirement will allow you to freely arrange routine inspections of the roof, clean it from snow or leaves, and replace roofing material. On some roofs, you can see auditory openings in two rows, made one above the other. In this case, it is recommended to comply with the same standards: a step from the bottom edge to the floor and between the openings themselves from 0.8 m.

Getting Started

As mentioned above and as will be seen from the drawings below, the most popular roof dormer design is the dormer. Therefore, in most sources, the description of the construction of an attic window involves the construction of just this type of dormer opening.

Installation of the roofing "house" is carried out only on the already installed load-bearing rafter "legs". With its constructive structure, the auditory opening resembles the structure of a roof, only in miniature. It has its own truss system, crate, and with a gable roof - a skate.

As for the inclined roof window, inscribed in the roof surface, its construction does not require the construction of a separate frame. However, there are additional requirements for the quality of the window unit. Since one of the purposes of the auditory opening is attic lighting, the owner should take this into account and plan a dormer on the south side of the roof. At worst - in the east or west, but most importantly - not in the north.

Manufacturing process

In the place where the dormer window is arranged, the supporting beams are sawn out and removed. It is better if the supporting rafters are at the same time the edges of the opening to be equipped.

Ideally, the width of the dormer window is equal to the distance between the inclined rafters.

Since it is better to install dormers without disturbing the truss system, several roofing superstructures are often constructed in the gaps between the beams. Then, reinforced vertical racks, a window frame and a top covering of rafters are mounted. As a rule, the frame of the "birdhouse" is made of beams, although, if the foundation and load-bearing walls of the house allow, the pediment and side walls of the "dwarf's house" are laid out with bricks.

Vertical racks are installed on the lower horizontal frontal board. Their tops are connected by another horizontal beam - a jumper above the window. Vertical racks are connected at the top with a run, and inclined rafters are mounted on the run - the basis of a mini-roof above the auditory opening. At the top point, where the rafters meet, a ridge beam is laid.

Outside, the structure is sheathed with board, plywood, other facade and roofing materials. Since the auditory opening is part of the roofing system, it must have reliable moisture and heat insulation. Therefore, special attention is paid to sealing joints and using a suitable insulating material: bitumen, insulation, silicone and acrylic sealants, vapor barrier film. All parts are fastened with metal corners and strips using self-tapping screws or construction nails.

After installing all the elements and completing the exterior finish, they move on to the interior design of the attic or attic exit. Here the owner has unlimited freedom for creativity. The wooden parts are covered with protective primers or paints and varnishes, the areas below and above the dormer window are made to match the overall interior of the under-roof space. Curtains or blinds are used as curtains from excess sun. If the attic is heated, then under the window, as is customary in standard city apartments, you can hang a radiator.

Conclusion

So, the dormer window has a functional and decorative value. On the one hand, it serves to ventilate and illuminate the attic space, and provides access to the roof. On the other hand, it adds variety to the architecture, gives the building a unique look. The homeowner who has decided to build a dormer window on his roof is faced with a choice: hire an experienced construction team or assemble the structure with his own hands according to his own drawings.

In order to be able to lighten and ventilate the attic or attic, windows must be arranged in the roof. In this article we will tell you how to build windows for the roof of private houses, what they are and what are the main differences between them.

Types of roof windows

To understand what a roof window is called, you need to figure out what it can be. If it is located vertically and is built into the roof truss system, and also serves to illuminate and ventilate the attic space, we are talking about a dormer window. At the same time, skylights are built into the roof at an angle, which allows for better access to light. In addition, such windows are much easier to build. It is noteworthy that dormers first appeared at the beginning of the 19th century, and dormers - after the Second World War.

When determining which of the options is suitable in a particular case, it is worth considering some architectural features of the building. If the house is old, and it is undesirable to make any changes to its appearance, a dormer window would be the best option. At the same time, skylights are in great demand. You can turn to this option if you want to equip a residential attic above the house.

Let's take a closer look at what dormer roof windows are. To make such a window, it is necessary that there are special niches in the roof. The frame of the window must be joined in several places with the main truss structure, therefore, accurate calculations are necessary for its arrangement. The side walls and pediment will need to be sheathed with plywood and finishing materials. The place where the window opening will join the main roof must be insulated and waterproofed.

But the roof windows of the attic type are fixed between two rafters. As a rule, such windows are mounted in roofs with a slope of 15-20º, since they will be subject to precipitation. Currently, roof windows are produced that are reliably protected from leaks and cold air. However, you should not try to make them yourself, it is best to purchase a ready-made design from the manufacturer. Such windows in the attic roof will need to be fixed with a base plate. They are also equipped with a special flashing, that is, a metal frame, which can be opened with friction hinges so that the water that gets inside it flows onto the roof.

We mount a window in the old attic roof

Quite often, when the owners of private houses seek to equip a window in the attic, they still do not want to overhaul the roof. In this case, an acceptable solution would be the arrangement of the auditory opening. It is quite possible to make such a window in the roof with your own hands.

Location selection

According to the regulations, the width of the window should not exceed 10% of the roof perimeter. This is due to the fact that large openings lead to significant losses. Moreover, glazing is not able to fully protect the roof from external influences. It is best if the window opening is located in the center of the roof between the supporting beams.

Do-it-yourself frame installation

Before installing the window on the roof, it is necessary to cut a hole of the required size in the roofing material, such as slate. Next, a wooden frame made of 40 × 50 mm timber is mounted on the roof rafters, in which a window frame is installed. It is advisable to use stainless fasteners. The frame itself is fixed on the rafters with self-tapping screws. Alternatively, you can equip a frame window built into the roof, which will be parallel to the main roof, however, it is better not to carry out such work on your own.

For waterproofing, you can use the following sealants:

• acrylic;
• based on bitumen;
• silicone;
• self-expanding vapor barrier tape.

It should be noted that the latter option is the most acceptable. At the top of the gap can be filled with acrylic-based sealant. It is desirable to carry out all work in the dry and warm season. However, for those who still want to equip a dormer window in the attic roof with their own hands, we will describe this process in more detail.

Dormer types

If we are talking about a dormer window with a flat roof, it must be equipped with gutters. In this regard, the slope of its slope should be within 5-15º. A quadrangular window with a single or gable roof should have steeper slopes with a slope of 15º.

Triangular dormer windows are very often mounted in country cottages. This design assumes the absence of side walls, the function of which is performed by slopes. Although in this case less effort is required to perform waterproofing, the access of light through such windows is still significantly reduced. The exception is when the front part of the window is directed to the facade of the entire building. One of the new varieties of dormer windows is a rounded window opening.

The optimal choice among all types of dormer windows is a variety of skylight shapes. Along with the fact that this design does not weigh down the roof, it provides high-quality attic lighting. There are standards for dormer windows that are taken into account during design: the width of the opening should not exceed ½ of the attic width, the distance from the floor to the lower edge of the dormer window should be from 0.9 meters. Light quality improves as the height of the window placement increases.

Roof frame fastening

It is necessary to install a truss system for a dormer window simultaneously with the installation of a common roof frame. In the case of a gable window, such a frame will be a separate roof in miniature. It is noteworthy that near the openings where the dormer windows will be located, reinforced rafters should be installed that can withstand the additional load transmitted by their truss system.

Crossbars are mounted on top of the rafter legs: the upper one will correspond to the dimensions of the window, and the lower one should be located at the level of the outer wall of the building. Vertical supports are attached to the lower beam, connected at the top by a transverse beam. As a result, a frame is obtained, which must be connected to the upper beam, placed on the rafters, using longitudinal bars. After that, rafter legs for the dormer window will be attached to this frame.

What frame is needed for a triangular window

Please note that when installing jumpers, you should not weaken the bearing capacity of the main rafter legs by making cuts on them. To fix the frame parts, it is desirable to use metal fasteners. When the levels are checked, you can proceed with the installation of the ridge and small rafter legs for the dormer on the roof. You can facilitate the work of making rafters if you first create templates. A moisture-resistant finishing material must be sewn on the side walls of the dormer window. The final roofing on the dormer window is laid simultaneously with the roof covering on the main building.

To avoid leaks and deformation of wooden roof structures, the joints between the main roof and the dormer window must be properly waterproofed.