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6-Step Beginner's Guide to Roof Windows

6-Step Beginner's Guide to Roof Windows

Simplify your journey to finding the right roof window by following our 6-step guide covering projects, quantity, spec, regulations and budget.

By Larry Bohan on 10

 

October

 

2019

two velux white painted roof windows in loft

Our guide aims to help you narrow down your search for suitable pitched or flat roof windows for your extension, loft conversion, new build

 

or renovation. Whatever the

 

project, roof windows and rooflights are essential to making any space naturally brighter and homelier.

What's Your Project?

Loft:

 

Choose between

 

top hung pitched roof windows, for unobstructed views with

 

no

 

head restrictions,

 

and centre pivot pitched roof windows for

 

a lower price and no less daylight.

Pitched Roof

 

Extension:

 

Centre pivot windows are often favoured to top hung windows as external views are

 

less of a priority.

Flat Roof Extension:

 

The two most popular flat roof window choices are

 

flat glass rooflights and eye-catching roof lanterns.

Remember:

 

All flat roof windows

 

require an external

 

upstand to sit between window and roof to aid rainwater runoff.

 

Some brands

 

include the upstand with the window,

 

others require it

 

to be built on site.

Pitched roof windows also need to be watertight

 

and therefore require a compatible flashing to be purchased as a necessity.

couple planning an extension

You might also like...

Guide to Planning Your Project
Single Storey Extension Guide

 

Centre Pivot v Top Hung Windows
How Do I Work Out My Roof Pitch?

Which Features Are

 

Important?

white top hung roof windows installed in loft

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Pitched Roof Window Buying Guide
What Glazing Option Do I Need?

 

 

Flat Roof Window Buying Guide
U-values Explained

Operation: Pitched roof windows can be

 

manual, electric/solar or fixed. Electric windows come in

 

remote control,

 

mobile phone and even automatic

 

operation. Manual and fixed

 

windows offer a lower price.

In extensions it is common for the rooflight or lantern to be non opening

 

as ventilation is

 

provided by

 

vertical glazing, i.e.,

 

bifold doors and casement windows.

 

Manual and electric rooflights are

 

available, including access windows to provide easy entry to the roof.

Frame:

 

Choose from a

 

natural lacquered pine look, white-painted, PVC and polyurethane. The latter two materials are moisture-resistant, making them

 

ideal options for bathrooms and kitchens.

Glazing: Options include enhanced noise reduction, insulation and

 

privacy. A window's U-value is its thermal efficiency.

 

The lower the value, the better the window

 

at keeping heat inside a room.

How Many Windows Do I Need?

We recommend that

 

the amount of glazing area in a room

 

accounts for a minimum of 15-20% of the overall floor space. This applies to both lofts

 

and extensions.

Roof windows can bring in twice as much daylight as vertical windows of the same size, allowing light to penetrate deeper into the home.

If your

 

extension is north facing, roof windows are even more important to the daylight levels in a space.

 

In some case it is the only way to get sunlight shining directly into the room.

Of course, budget will often dictate how many roof windows you’re able to use.

Remember:

 

You can never really have too much daylight in your home. It will always make the space naturally brighter and cut down bills.

6 roof windows installed in combination

You might also like...

How To Maximise Daylight In An Extension
Rooflights & Doors Measuring Guide

 

Pitched Roof Window Size Guide
Checklist for a Successful Loft Conversion

What Can I Get For My Budget?

working out a budget for home improvements

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Cheap Roof Windows
5%

 

Off Rooflights & Doors

 

Save Money With

 

ECO+RESET
Made To Measure Windows

You do not have to blow the whole of your budget to

 

get enough daylight from your windows.

RoofLITE and ECO+ are brands that offer

 

outstanding value for money through a high quality range of pitched roof windows

 

and flat rooflights compared to some better-known brands.

Another way to save money is to

 

order from stock, provided that the size you require

 

is listed on our website.

If your desired size or spec requirement is not listed, many of our pitched and flat roof windows

 

can be made bespoke to non-standard dimensions in a variety of different RAL colour and glazing types.

If your budget allows it, make a statement in your extension with a

 

roof lantern

 

or a VELUX CABRIO balcony system

 

in your loft.

What Rules & Regs Do I Need To Consider?

Installing roof windows into a loft usually falls within Permitted Development Rights (PD), however

 

there can be limitations as to what

 

your roof window can look like and where it can be installed. Complete guidance on PD and Planning Permission can be found on the Planning Portal.

We always advise you

 

talk to your local planning authority before you invest time and money into renovations, particularly if your property is located in a conservation area or area of outstanding natural beauty.

In conservation areas, specialist conservation windows (pictured) are required.

Depending on what fire escape routes already exist

 

in your loft, you may need a top hung window that provides a

 

means of escape/access. We include a 'suitable for escape' specification on all of our

 

pitched roof windows suitable for this purpose.

conservation roof windows

 

You might also like...

Means Of Escape Windows Explained
Extensions In A Conservation Area

 

Do I Need Planning Permission To Install Roof Windows?
Increased Extension Size Allowances Made Permanent

What Extras Do You Need?

velux roof windows with blinds

You might also like...

Blinds Buying Guide
VELUX Blinds Guide

 

How To Find Your VELUX Window Code
Beginner's Guide To

 

Sun Tunnels

Once your windows are sorted, you might want to think about what

 

extras you need.

Blinds: Blinds can be an essential extra depending

 

on how a window is used. Roof window blinds come

 

in a plethora of colours and designs for both pitched and flat roof units.

Collars: Most

 

pitched roof window manufacturers have installation products available to optimise the watertightness and insulation efficiency of the window.

Other accessories: Consider a

 

control rod

 

to open high level windows and glass maintenance

 

kits

 

to keep your

 

windows

 

as good as new.

Roof windows aside, sun tunnels are a daylighting solution alternative that are perfect for windowless rooms and darker spaces.

Sterlingbuild
Sterlingbuild

Owner

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