6-Step Beginner's Guide to Roof Windows
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Sterlingbuild - Advice & Guidance
- 10 Oct 2019
- 18views
- Reading time: 5 minutes
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
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.
Which Features Are
Important?
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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.
What Can I Get For My Budget?
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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.
What Extras Do You Need?
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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.
