Roof window design

The traditional dormer window on the roof looked, originally, very modest, it was intended only to ventilate the space of the attic. Over time, due to the overpopulation of European cities, auxiliary attic areas were used as housing. Then there was a need for full windows, allowing to increase the illumination of the attic.

Types of windows

Do not confuse dormer windows with attic blocks that differ from the first ones in their device. Unlike mansards, where a frame with glass is installed directly in the roof plane, this is a small extension, in one of which walls a window is built. They are distinguished by a large variety of forms, which gives the appearance of any building a special flavor (pay attention to houses in Paris). Depending on the type of roof construction, all dormer windows are divided, conditionally, into the following classes:

• quadrangular, embedded in a shed roof;
• similar modules for dual slope roofs;
• triangular blocks;
• panoramic type;
• mansard construction;
• semicircular shape, etc.

In addition to its main purpose (airing non-residential attic), such windows can be used as an emergency exit to the roof of the house. If a living area is equipped under it, they are intended for natural lighting of the attic.

Consider each of these types in more detail.

4-coal modules mounted on dual-slope and single-slope roofs with a slope of more than 15 degrees are considered to be a classic version of the dormer window.

Triangular blocks are most often found in suburban buildings (cottages). They do not have side walls, since their function is performed by the slopes of the window roof. The overall length of the joints of such a module with the surface of the roof is reduced and, as a result, the volume of waterproofing works is reduced. The disadvantage is a slight decrease in the illumination of the room (except for cases when the front surface of the window is taken out in the plane of the facade of the building).

Oval - the most interesting and attractive solution (in terms of design design of the facade of the house). The smoothly curved lines of the slopes of such structures are able to give any structure a rather original and attractive look.

Manufacturing frame

The device of the dormer window assumes a preliminary drawing of its sketch, which takes into account both the functional and decorative purposes. Geometrical dimensions and number of openings are selected taking into account the parameters of the roof itself, and for most cases their total width should not be more than half the length of the roof. It is not necessary to have windows in orderly rows, it is allowed to mount them at different levels.

The lower cut of the window frame should be done at a height of about one meter from the level of the flooring in the attic. Its upper part should be located at a height of about 2 meters. This value can be changed in the case when it is necessary to increase the illumination of the space under the roof.

It is recommended to construct the framework simultaneously with the arrangement of the truss system. In particular, the triangular window assumes the presence in its frame of a small ridge, rafters and crates.

When arranging the roofing system of a residential structure in the locations of window frames, it is necessary to allocate areas with reinforced truss legs capable of taking an additional load from the structure being mounted. All subsequent operations should be performed in this order:

• on reinforced rafters, two transverse beams are mounted, one of which (lower) is installed at the level of the wall trim, and the position of the second is set by the design height;
• side racks of the frame, overlapped on top of the transverse bar, are mounted on the lower beam;
• the resulting frame is fastened with special longitudinal bars with the second (upper) beam, supported by reinforced rafters;
• The order of preparation of the rafters for the dormer window is not much different from similar operations on the arrangement of the roof of the house.

Note! Mounting of the transverse beams of the frame should be made without cutting into reinforced truss legs, which could significantly reduce their carrying capacity. To fasten the elements together, use a special metal fastener.

All operations for the installation of frame elements must be controlled by plumb and level. Only after their completion proceed to the installation of the ridge beam and the remaining rafters.

Finish

Under the finish frame means the lining of its sidewalls of one or another type of moisture-resistant material. The upper part of the structure (roof) closes simultaneously with the arrangement of the main roof.

Note! In the process of installation it is necessary to worry about waterproofing the cracks formed at the joints of the dormer window with the surface of the slope. Such forethought will avoid the appearance of unwanted leaks in these places.

Arrangement window "mansard" type is carried out by embedding it in the plane of the main roof. Most users are advised to purchase such blocks in a ready-made form, after which they will only have to mount them in accordance with the recommendations given in the instructions.