When designing a house or multi-family building, one of the most important aspects is the roof and its covering. Attention is paid to its energy efficiency, to the type of tile, and to the selection of a proven thermal insulation system. It is also important to keep in mind usable and practical qualities, for example, a safe exit to the roof that will allow it to be inspected, clean the chimney or install a TV antenna.
When designing a house or multi-family building, one of the most important aspects is the roof and its covering. Attention is paid to its energy efficiency, to the type of tile, to the selection of a proven thermal insulation system. It is also important to keep in mind usable and practical qualities, for example, a safe exit to the roof that will allow it to be inspected, a chimney to be cleaned or a TV antenna to be installed. While in single-family houses with not too high buildings one may be tempted to use a ladder, in taller, multi-family houses one should already order a vehicle equipped with an aerial lift. This generates a large cost, with each visit of a chimney sweep or TV installer. It is also necessary to pay special attention to the safety of such a way of accessing the roof - a ladder placed against the wall is not safe. Even if we want to attach a harness used for working at heights, it can be troublesome from the ladder level.
WVR open
© OKPOL
Roof hatches for non-utility rooms
The easiest way to exit the roof is certainly, specially designed for this purpose, a roof hatch. Particularly recommended products on the market are the Versa roof hatches from OKPOL.
Extremely functional solutions allow you to adapt the hatch not only to the roof, but also to the room. Versa roof hatches come in two basic categories - for use in non-utility and utility rooms. The former are WVM+ and WVD+, that is, the small flap hatch (45 × 57cm) and the large tilt hatch (45 × 73cm and 86 × 86cm), respectively. They are made of glued pine wood, and come standard with a vapor-permeable collar that improves moisture insulation (thanks to a tighter connection between the hatch and the membrane), as well as a drainage gutter. The hatches have a tile bracket, a sash opening limiter and a handle that locks the sash in 3 positions, thanks to which it will not close spontaneously, for example, from a gust of wind. In addition, the manufacturer of the hatches went literally one step further and installed a chimney sweep strip in the lower, transverse part of the joinery, which protects the paint from scratches that can arise as a result of the pressure of the chimney sweep's shoes against this part of the joinery. Versa WVM+ and WVD+ roof hatches are equipped with a double-glazed package with tempered glass, and the large model (86 × 86 cm) has two such panes, which effectively protects against hail.
WVR closed
© OKPOL
Roof hatches for utility rooms
In the case of buildings with a usable attic, which is arranged in such a way as to perform residential or even sleeping functions, it is necessary to install a hatch that provides warmth and security - for example, the flap-high-axis hatch of the Versa ISWX I22 brand. Its parameters would not be ashamed of a good-class wooden roof window. ISWX I22 opens in two stages - by tilting the sash by 30 degrees, for example, in order to ventilate the room, and also by its full opening - rotating the sash by 180 degrees, which gives a very large space for comfortable exit to the outside. The manufacturer of the hatch has even installed an actuator that assists in opening the sash within 30 degrees. The hatch protects against heat loss, and is very energy efficient. The heat transfer coefficient is Uw= 1.06 W/m2K, the triple-glazing package includes tempered glass (Ug= 0.7 W/m2K).
A proposal unquestionably suitable for use in utility rooms is also a hatch made of PVC. Resistant to weathering, but also ready to stand up to the steam rising inside the building. Such a solution is the IGWX N22 hatch. It will find use in rooms with higher humidity such as the kitchen, bathroom and even the sauna. It has a very good heat transfer coefficient Uw= 0.83 W/m2K. Like the wooden hatch, it is equipped with an actuator to help smoothly open the sash within 30 degrees.
WVD RESET - small angle tilted
© OKPOL
A complete novelty - VERSA RESET WVR V8
VERSA is a brand known and loved not only in the Polish market. They are one of the most frequently purchased roof hatches by our, domestic roofers. WVR V8 RESET comes in convenient sizes. The hatch, like the standard VERSA, is made of treated, glued pine wood, has a drainage gutter, a leaf opening handle (allows it to be opened in 3 positions) and a closing limiter, so that the leaf does not close uncontrollably during work on the roof. The hatch is also equipped with a chimney sweep strip - effectively protecting the woodwork when exiting through the hatch and pressing shoes on the lower part of the frame. The hatch leaf can be mounted on the right or left side - it is up to the user to decide at any time , even after the hatch has been installed.
WVD RESET - open
© OKPOL
The installation of products from the RESET line is their great advantage. The hatch is installed extremely quickly - only 15 minutes! The installation of RESET products is a pleasure for the roofer - they have tile brackets that will ensure the correct seating of the window and angle brackets, which simply need to be drilled into the roof structure. The lower part of the flashing, the so-called "apron," is butyl-lined to ensure that the flashing adheres precisely to the roofing. In addition, the use of an EPDM collar means a much safer installation for the roofer - the material does not injure the hands, like the aluminum collars used to date to connect windows to the roof membrane. VERSY WVR V8 installation from 5 to 75 degrees, in most roofing materials (universal flashing). Products can be installed in horizontal assemblies using one type of flashing, in any number, leaving only a 12 cm gap between the hatches.
The flange, designed to connect the roof to the membrane, will remain flexible even in drastic weather conditions, i.e. at temperatures reaching from -40o to +150o Celsius. It will not change color because it is completely resistant to UV rays and ozone, it has the property of reverse deformation after mechanical force so it will not deform or change form. It is waterproof.
A flashing made of EPDM also ensures the soundproofing of the room - because it dulls the impact of raindrops on the aluminum surface of the roof window flashing, which is usually heard in the attic. With RESET products this problem does not exist.
WVR closed
© OKPOL
A chimney sweep does not climb a ladder
It is best to install the hatches so that they are as close to the chimney as possible, but this is not a necessary requirement, as communication on the roof is facilitated by steps and chimney sweep benches. An important aspect of installation is also access to the hatch from the inside, the most convenient would be without the use of a ladder or with the use of a ladder with several steps, but when the hatch is at the chimney of a steep roof it can be at a height of up to several meters from the attic floor. While in the attic we can put it in any sufficiently high place, in the living room we may have trouble in the form of furniture or other furnishings (assuming, of course, that we happen to be in possession of a high ladder). A very convenient solution is to mount the hatch low enough to be able to exit through it to the roof, without any effort directly from the floor. VERSA-branded hatches are sold throughout Europe - also effortless. A good product - simply put - defends itself. OKPOL is the second Polish manufacturer of roof windows and one of the better experts in the field of roof hatches - it has been selling windows for more than a quarter of a century, and its products are recognized by professionals. Versa roof hatches can be found on many Polish roofs because of the wide range of options to choose from - solutions for heated rooms, for attics, tilt or flap, in wood or PVC. There are many possibilities and combinations, and all of them will fit perfectly into both atmospheric mountain cottages and very modern architectural designs. An added value is a manufacturer with 100% Polish capital. Buyers are assured that they are supporting the Polish economy and contributing to the flourishing of the country's construction industry. It is worth leaning towards a domestic proposal instead of using expensive Western products, not at all different in quality from domestic ones.
For more information, visit the company 'sOKPOL Sp. z o.o. page on thePdA portal.
