Not to lose the useful area of the house, at design of many owner-occupied dwellings the attic-floor rooms are made out as penthouse – full-fledged living rooms. Of course, their basic purpose – bedrooms or gyms, but anyway in them have to be windows. Special window designs which are mounted directly on roof are developed for such rooms.
Types of dormer-windows
Difference of such window from normal that it is established vertically in separate box on roof or at an angle to horizontal surface which can make from 30 to 70 degrees. Such installation allows to preserve heat and to increase amount of light coming to the room in comparison with the normal window mounted on wall by 50%. Besides, if it is required, on roof it is possible to establish large windows, than on side walls.
Internal glasses of dormer-windows make of special material which, in case of damage, is scattered on the rectangular small pieces excluding danger of cut.
Dormer-windows are two types – vertical and inclined. The first are established on roof slopes in speakers boxes, the second are mounted in it. The inclined option as such windows pass bigger amount of light enjoys bigger popularity. Located at an angle to horizontal surface, the dormer-window is less subject to atmospheric actions, besides, it can be protected the strong sun blind preventing damage of glasses. The correct mounting and installation will become guarantee from course and formation of condensate indoors where the window is established.
Double-glazed windows of dormer-windows are hermetic and filled with insulating gas that provides their high heat-insulating qualities.
What to pay attention when choosing dormer-window to
The choice of dormer-windows and specification of their quantity need to be made for blueprint stage as their size directly depends on step of rafter design. Than put roof slope, especially wide windows can be established in it. Admissible length and width of windows is selected as well depending on room space, but it should not exceed half of the site of roof limited to rafter design.
The quantity of windows and total area of glazing depend on the area of the room too. It is recommended to establish 1 sq.m of glazing on each 10 sq.m of the area, for children's rooms – on each 8 sq.m. The design of dormer-window has to provide good possibility of air exchange and airing that will prevent emergence of condensate and growth of mold or fungus. Choosing double-glazed window, give preference to those windows which have thickness of external glass more – they stronger and will sustain increased loads. You will be able always to choose dormer-window in that architectural style in which your house is designed, producers propose the most various style and color solutions. Besides, you can choose plastic or wooden frames for dormer-windows. It is possible to tell that in this option good and cheaper windows from PVC will be more preferable as conditions of their operation assume the increased humidity and the considerable temperature drops pernicious for natural wood.