Roof dormers are installed as a source of natural lighting and ventilation in attic and attic rooms. And thanks to all kinds of constructive solutions, they also fulfill an aesthetic function - the facade of the house acquires an attractive and finished appearance.
Functional purpose
Houses with a roof with a dormer window always stand out against the background of the general development with their original unique look.
What is a dormer window for? Its main function is to provide ventilation and lighting of the under-roof space. When choosing the location of the natural light source in the attic or attic, it is important to take into account the orientation of the future dormer window to the cardinal points. It should look south, then all the requirements for the natural insolation of the room will be achieved..
The attic window can be replaced with a ventilation grill. The absence of even a minor ventilation duct in the roof structure will entail significant troubles:
- Inevitably, heat loss will occur in the attic space, where condensation will form when the air cools, which, for lack of ventilation, will accumulate indoors.
- Due to the lack of lighting in the attic, fungus and mold will spread very quickly.
The grill can be installed on the facade of the house from any material. It can be brick, wooden, block houses.
Also the dormer-window on the roof can provide access to the roof for repair or installation work.
If we talk about the architectural appearance of the building, then the hip, tent or half-hip roof by its very design involves the installation of skylights.
What are
There are different solutions. The window structure can be mounted in the plane of the roof or it can be vertical glazing.
The use of small triangular, arched and trapezoidal openings with a fully glazed vertical plane is common.
Roof dormers with side walls that vary depending on the type of roof:
- flat;
- single-sided quadrangular;
- quadrangular gable;
- triangular;
- semicircular;
- panoramic trapezoidal;
- light lights;
- round.
- Single slope
This is the simplest type, characterized by the presence of a flat roof, the slope of which is less than the slope of the roof.
It is characterized by the presence of sufficient space under the ceiling compared to the gable version. When installing it, attention should be paid to the equipment of high-quality runoff for rainwater and other rainfall. The downside of a slight slope is the reduction in the number of roofing options that can be used.
- The traditional solution is a window located in the wall plane on a gable roof.
The design of the gable roof is characterized by a small space above the head. The window may have a pointed or rounded shape. Sophisticated design will require greater financial costs than a single-ply. The downside will be that the under-roof space will specifically decrease.
- The exterior design of the hip window evokes an association with a measured and comfortable life. The angle of inclination of the structure and the roof repeat each other.
- The arched design gives the exterior of the house the atmosphere of a mansion. In addition to the horizontal location of the dormers, vertical placement is possible.
- A window with the name "anti-aircraft lamp" will give the exterior of the building visual lightness and airiness.
- Panoramic skylights provide high visibility and maximum natural light.
- The enclosing side surfaces of the trapezoidal window are covered with roofing material.
- A window called a bat is best suited for window designs with a slight slope.
- Skylights are not used to decorate the facade. They perform the practical task of providing the attic living space with sufficient natural light and fresh air. The construction of these windows does not require the construction of auxiliary structures. In terms of waterproofing qualities, modern window systems are reliable and durable.
Constructive decisions
There are several basic layouts for dormers:
- In the gable wall. Located between the roof slopes, the upper part of the end wall, having the shape of a triangle, is called a forceps. The window is placed in the plane of the facade. This does not require additional gain.
- Dormer. The design is located on the roof. The main condition for installing such a window is the need to strengthen the load-bearing capacity of the roof and perform waterproofing work. The design of a dormer-window of this type of roof is characterized by the fact that the under-roof space does not lose useful area at all, and sometimes even acquires. On the windowsill, you can organize a relaxation area by placing sofa cushions on it, and under it you can arrange a box for storing household items. For this type of window, there are many architectural solutions that diversify the appearance of the house, made in any style.
- Antidormer. This type of window, on the contrary, is “recessed” into the roof surface, therefore it does not require additional reinforcements, it is cheaper to execute, but it “eats up” the area of the room under the roof.
- Inclined or attic. The window is mounted directly on the roofing plane. Manufacturers offer many options for the forms and control mechanisms of such products: they can be round, triangular, rectangular. Requirements are presented for moisture resistance and resistance to external loads.
- Clerestory. This is a glazed design on all sides, allowing the maximum amount of natural light to enter the room. Usually found in roofing structures of public and industrial buildings. It can have any configuration.
Design and installation
Before you begin designing, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements of SNiP II-26 and SNiP 21-01. Why do this? Their observance guarantees that the constructed structure will meet the requirements of reliability and durability, while the roof parameters do not lose the reliability and quality of their technical parameters.
SNiP conditions regarding the erection of dormers:
- The roofing slope should have a slope of 35 degrees - in this case, installation is considered possible.
- If it is necessary to build an add-on, it is important to take into account the recommended distances from the external building envelope.
- The minimum size of the flaps that open and are located on the window is 0.6 by 0.8 meters, therefore, the permissible parameters of the roof window will be 1.2 by 0.8 meters.
- It is impossible that the facade of the window with a hip roof and an opening of a quadrangular shape continues the wall of the building.
GOST assumes the use of different facing materials: copper, sheet metal, tiles. Windows can be equipped with ledges, a private roof or gutters.
With sufficient dimensions of the opening and the presence of the enclosing structure, it is possible to equip the balcony.
Wireframe development
After determining the parameters of the opening, it is necessary to start developing a drawing of the future design, which should be not only functional, but also aesthetically attractive.
The width of the auditory opening is taken so that it exceeds half the width of the attic.
Frame mounting
The installation of the dormer window should occur at the stage of installation of the supporting system of the main roof of the building.
Structurally, the auditory opening is a miniature roof. Its roof is equipped with its own supporting structures, lathing and, if necessary, a ridge.
First of all, pediments are made on the roof surface. Then mount the ridge beam and rafters, make openings in the designated places.
It is necessary to fence openings with the help of strong rafters, on which the main load will be distributed. Rafters can be double or triple.
Next, cross beams are installed, which are attached to the rafters. The placement of the lower beam should be at the level of the outer wall of the building. Upper - in accordance with the window settings.
On the bottom beam, stack racks connected at the top with a bar. As a result, the structure should be connected with the help of bars with the upper beam.
The result will be a frame that does not yet have its rafter system.
So that the rafters do not lose their bearing capacity, all elements must be fastened with metal fasteners.
After checking the frame in all directions, you can proceed with the installation of the ridge beam and the roof supporting structure.
Features
Moisture-resistant material is arranged for covering the side walls of the structure. The roof covering is laid at the stage of installation of the entire roofing material.
In order to avoid leaks, it is important to properly waterproof the joining seams using membranes, silicone sealants, and pressure strips.