Natural light in the attic with VELUX windows.
From the series "Window and door trends 2021"
Interiors in attics, under slanted roofs, can be comfortable and resident-friendly, as long as we make sure they have adequate light. Also of great importance is the opening of home spaces to the views outside the window and visual contact with the outside environment. The available Velux window solutions allow for interesting arrangements and adaptation to demanding attic spaces.
Visual comfort is one of the basic elements that guarantee the well-being of building users. It is influenced, among other things, by the amount of natural light in the building, access to pleasant outdoor views and the quality of the surrounding space. To significantly increase the comfort of a building, you can consider installing roof windows in sets, that is, several windows side by side placed at eye level. Their advantages include a large amount of daylight, a panoramic view, and almost infinite design possibilities.
Roof windows can let in up to twice as much light as vertical windows
© VELUX
Interestingly, roof windows can let in up to twice as much light as vertical ones placed in the gable wall. Roof windows also give you a lot of freedom in arranging your rooms - as they can be installed in different places on the roof, individually or in sets gaining large glazed areas that not only provide access to daylight, but also open up our interiors to the views outside the window.
windows vs. roof
When choosing windows, it is important to match their size and height to the angle of the roof. Roof windows can be installed in roofs with a pitch of 15 to 90 degrees, but the lower the pitch of the roof, the longer the window should be. If you want an unobstructed view of the outside, whether standing or sitting, the bottom edge of the frame should be about 90 cm above the floor. To increase the area of glazing in the room, it is advisable to install roof windows in sets next to each other vertically or horizontally.
windows combined into lap sets
© VELUX
how to combine windows?
When combining windows into sets, remember a few basic rules:
- horizontally combine windows of the same height, that is, windows of the same size,
- vertically, choose windows of the same width, but if you are thinking of variety, the windows can be of different lengths.
The most common set is two windows mounted side by side or in a vertical set. Asymmetrical installation is also possible. It is important to also consider the thickness of the rafters and the width of the flashing gutters between the windows at the stage of the roof structure design. The spacing of the rafters should be selected so that the clear dimension between them is 4 to 6 centimeters greater than the width of the window - this allows the placement of thermal insulation.
Roof windows with different opening methods
© VELUX
multiple solutions and plenty of light
Windows of different types can be combined into sets, such as an electric window with a manual opening window. In the case of VELUX electric windows, the mechanism is integrated into the structure, so when they are closed, they are no different from those opened manually both from the outside and from the inside.
Another solution is to combine roof windows with vertical windows in knee sets so as to use the knee wall to open up the interiors to light and the environment around the building. A good solution is the VELUX VFE, the tilt-and-turn VELUX VFA/VFB or the non-opening VELUX VIU. They are available in many sizes, which gives the possibility to use interesting combinations with glazing extending all the way to the floor. An interesting proposal is the double-sash balcony window GEL. It is a system of window and door elements, which together create an exit to the balcony, and thus maximize the use of sunlight.
roof windows and balcony windows expand attic space
© VELUX
And how to create additional space in the attic? An innovative way might be the GDL Cabrio® roof balcony, a double-hung window for attic living. When opened, the system forms a balcony, the upper part of which is a tilting sash, and the lower part is a vertically extending balcony with railings on the sides.
windows tailored to function
When choosing roof windows, it is worth paying attention to the material from which they are made. Wherever high resistance to moisture is needed, for example, in bathrooms and kitchens, the best solution is wood pressure-coated with white polyurethane. Windows with profiles made in the innovativeThermoTechnology™ construction are extremely resistant to dirt. Their frame formed from a single piece, has smooth corners without joints, so no dust, dirt or moisture accumulates on it.
Window solutions for rooms with higher humidity are available in several variants - Standard, Standard Plus and Premium. They differ in their energy-saving parameters, noise protection and opening systems.
relaxation zone in the attic
© VELUX
In rooms such as bedrooms, children's rooms and offices, for example, we can opt for wooden windows made of glued and treated pine wood coated with clear varnish. Their natural woodcolor blends perfectly with cozy attic interiors, as well as minimalist design.
light control
It's also worth mentioning VELUX blackout blind s tailored to the size of the window. If you want to control the world in the room, e.g. when you work at the computer or want to take a nap, you can choose a blind available in over 1800 colors, which can be easily matched to the interior design. An interesting solution is also pleated roller blinds that give the effect of dispersing light, which allow smooth adjustment by means of upper and lower guides with the possibility to stop the shutter in any place.
More design solutions can be found on the VELUX ARCHITIPS website.
