In order to brighten and ventilate the attic or attic space, windows must be installed in the roof. In this article we will tell you how to build windows for the roof of private houses, what they are like and what are the main differences between them.

Types of roof windows

To understand what a skylight is called, you need to understand what it can be. If it is located vertically and is built into the roof truss system, and also serves to illuminate and ventilate the attic space, we are talking about a dormer window. At the same time, roof windows are built into the roof at an angle, which allows for better access of light. In addition, such windows are much easier to build. It is noteworthy that dormer windows first appeared at the beginning of the 19th century, and dormer windows - after the Second World War.

When determining which option is suitable in a particular case, it is worth considering some architectural features buildings. If the house is old and it is undesirable to make any changes to its appearance, the best option there will be a dormer window. At the same time, roof windows are in great demand. You can turn to this option if you want to equip a residential attic above the house.

Let's take a closer look at what dormer roof windows are. To make such a window, it is necessary that there are special niches in the roof. The window frame must be connected to the main rafter structure in several places, so accurate calculations are required for its arrangement. The side walls and gable will need to be covered with plywood and finishing material. The place where the window opening will join the main roof must be insulated and waterproofed.

But dormer-type roof windows are fixed between two rafters. As a rule, such windows are installed in roofs with a slope of 15-20º, since they will be exposed to precipitation. Currently, roof windows are produced that are reliably protected from leaks and cold air. However, you should not try to make them yourself; it is best to purchase a ready-made design from the manufacturer. Such windows in the attic roof will need to be secured using a support plate. They are also equipped with a special flashing, that is, a metal frame that can be opened using friction hinges so that the water that gets inside it flows onto the roof.

Installing a window in the old attic roof

Quite often, when the owners of private houses want to install a window in the attic, they still do not want to completely redo the roof. In this case, arranging an auditory opening would be an acceptable solution. It is quite possible to make such a skylight with your own hands.

Selecting a location

According to regulations, the width of the window should not exceed 10% of the roof perimeter. This is due to the fact that large openings lead to significant losses. Moreover, glazing is not able to fully protect the roof from external influence. It is best if the window opening is located in the center of the roof between the load-bearing beams.

DIY frame installation

Before installing a window on the roof, you need to cut a hole in the roofing material, such as slate. the right size. Next, they are mounted on the roof rafters wooden frame made of timber 40×50 mm in which the window frame is installed. It is advisable to use stainless steel fasteners. The frame itself is fixed to the rafters using self-tapping screws. As an option, you can install a frame window built into the roof, which will be parallel to the main roof, however, it is better not to carry out such work yourself.

For waterproofing, you can use the following sealants:

acrylic;
bitumen based;
silicone;
self-expanding vapor barrier tape.

It is worth noting that last option is the most acceptable. The cracks at the top can be filled with acrylic-based sealant. It is advisable to carry out all work in dry and warm time year. However, for those who still want to install a dormer window in the attic roof with their own hands, we will describe this process in more detail.

Types of dormer windows

If we are talking about a dormer window with a flat roof, it must be equipped with gutters. In this regard, the slope of its slope should be within 5-15º. Quadrangular window with one or gable roof should have steeper slopes with a slope of 15º.

Triangular dormer windows are often installed in country cottages. This design assumes the absence of side walls, the function of which is performed by slopes. Although in this case less effort will be required to perform waterproofing, the access of light through such windows is significantly reduced. The exception is when the front part of the window is directed towards the façade of the entire building. One of the new varieties dormer windows is a rounded window opening.

The optimal choice among all types of dormer windows is a variety of skylight shapes. Along with the fact that this design does not weigh down the roof, it provides high-quality lighting in the attic. There are standards for dormer windows that are taken into account during design: the width of the opening should not exceed ½ the width of the attic, the distance from the floor to the lower edge of the dormer window should be 0.9 meters. The quality of lighting improves as the height of the window increases.

Fastening the frame to the roof

It is necessary to install the rafter system for the dormer window simultaneously with the installation of the overall roof frame. In the case of a gable window, such a frame will be a separate roof in miniature. It is noteworthy that near the openings where the dormer windows will be located, reinforced rafters should be installed that can withstand the additional load transmitted by their rafter system.

Cross members are mounted on top of the rafter legs: the top one will correspond to the dimensions of the window, and the bottom one should be located at the level external wall buildings. Vertical supports are attached to the lower beam, connected at the top cross beam. The result is a frame that needs to be connected to the upper beam placed on the rafters using longitudinal beams. After this, the rafter legs for the dormer window will be attached to this frame.

What frame is needed for a triangular window

Please note that when installing jumpers, do not loosen bearing capacity main rafter legs, making cuts on them. To fix the frame parts, it is advisable to use metal fasteners. When the level check is completed, you can begin installing the ridge and small rafter legs for the dormer window on the roof. You can make the work of making rafters easier if you first create templates. On the side walls of the dormer window it is necessary to sew moisture-resistant finishing material. The final roofing covering on the dormer window is laid simultaneously with the roofing on the main building.

To avoid leaks and deformation of wooden roofing structures, the joints between the main roof and the dormer window must be properly waterproofed.

Before you start installing a skylight in your house, you need to decide which one will be needed specifically for a particular house construction. Dormer windows are those that are located on the roof and are needed for ventilation and lighting of the attic. Since they are placed vertically on the roof, it is necessary to arrange a separate rafter system that will be built into the roof structure. This is their main difference from attic windows, which are installed on the attic roof at an angle. IN modern projects all housing construction greater distribution and attic windows have gained popularity. Considering that windows of any type with the same size occupy the same roof area, these openings, thanks to their inclined installation, allow more light into the attic space and their installation is simpler than other types of window frames.

The main types of skylights in a house

The question of choice often arises: what type of window to install? If the housing construction is old, and you will need to adhere to existing architectural solutions, then it is better to choose the installation of a dormer window. In new, newly built housing constructions, when deciding on arranging a residential attic on the roof, it would be advisable to install dormer window.

To begin with, it is worth considering the main features of both types of windows in order to choose the one that is suitable for a particular building.

To install a dormer window in the roof of a house, special niches are required, which should already be present on the roof. The frame of triangle trusses of rafters and walls on the sides requires a fairly large number of connections with the main roof; it is very difficult to do without precise calculations - “by eye”. This requires drawings drawn up by a trained specialist. The walls on the sides and the pediment are covered with construction plywood and sheathed with façade building materials. Roofing building materials are placed on the roof at the same level as the main roof covering. Be sure to waterproof and insulate the junction of such a dormer window with the roof.

The second type is attic, fixed in the space between two rafters. Windows for the attic are usually an obstacle to the normal drainage of water from the roof, so openings like this constructive solution most often installed in roofs with a 15-20° slope.

Modern attic windows are structurally quite complex, well protected from water leakage and cold penetration through them into the premises. It is impossible to make such a high-quality and reliable window structure yourself. It is therefore better to simply order the manufacture of windows from a reliable and responsible manufacturer. The attic window is secured to the roof using a support plate. To remove moisture, the frame has a special frame, consisting of a steel frame located along the entire window. To open it, the window design has friction hinges located slightly higher from the center of the window. This design, when opening the window frame, prevents accumulating water from entering the room, and all moisture that falls on it flows onto the roof.

Creating a window opening in an existing roof

In individual houses, sometimes it becomes necessary to arrange a window opening in the roof and install a window in it. Redoing a complete roof is quite an expensive, time-consuming and complex process, so it is possible to make a window opening for a dormer window in several steps.

Windows on the roof of a building should take up no more than 10% of the roof area underneath them.

Large openings on the roof lead to high heat loss. In addition, at large windows glass is less durable and less resistant to natural and mechanical influences from the outside than windows small sizes. Optimal installation is to place the window frame exactly in the center of the roof in the gap between both load-bearing roof beams.

Installation of a window in the roof of a house

At the beginning of work, a hole is cut required sizes to create an opening in the roof covering, and the installation of the window frame begins. It is placed on the load-bearing rafters of the roof using a separately mounted special wooden frame made of 4x5 cm beams. It is best to attach the parts of this structure to the rafters using non-corrosive building material. Frame parts are connected with special screws For wooden structures, tightly fixing them to the rafters. Dormer frame windows are also installed parallel to the roof of the house, but to install such a complex and labor-intensive structural solution, it would be best to involve professional roofers.

Sealing and finishing of window openings

The sealants used for these purposes are the following: silicone, bitumen, acrylic and waterproof self-expanding tape.

The best sealant for roof windows is a self-expanding tape, which is placed along the entire length of the opening in one layer. Holes and cracks in the top of the window frame can be sealed with acrylic caulk. Finishing and sealing work is best done in the summer.

Dormer roof windows on the flat roof of a residential building are usually installed together with gutters for water drainage, so the roof should have a slope within 5 - 15°. A rectangular roof structure with one or two pitched planes resembles a window with a flat roof, but it should have a slightly greater slope of the pitched planes - more than 15°.

A triangular dormer window is most often installed on the roofs of cottages and the roofs of country individual housing constructions. This type of window does not have walls on the sides, and their functions are performed by roof slopes. This type of roof window significantly reduces the amount of waterproofing work performed with it, but reduces the illumination of the attic space and especially the attic space, if the front side of this window is not directed towards the front part of the building itself. IN recent years You can increasingly see an unusual - round - type.

The most functional roof window is considered to be a window - like a skylight. Externally, it looks like a light, almost weightless part that does not weigh down the roof, and most importantly, it perfectly illuminates the entire attic room. When creating projects, specialists most often adhere to the following values for determining the size and number of dormer roof windows: the width should not exceed ½ the width of the attic room, their lower plane is located from the floor at a height of at least 0.9 m, and than the dormer roof window will be installed higher , the greater the illumination will be in this room.

Frame of a dormer window on the roof of a house

The frame of the dormer window on the roof is installed at the same time as the installation of the roof rafters of the house. If the roof has two pitched planes, the window frame has its own rafter system and sheathing. Therefore, installing the frame of such windows implies the construction of a separate mini-roof. When arranging a rafter roofing system in areas where dormer windows are planned to be installed, it is necessary to provide for the placement of future openings enclosing the legs of rafters with enhanced strength characteristics. After all, the rafters and other parts of the rafter structure will also take on a lot of elements of the dormer window.

Then transverse bars are placed on the rafters: the top one corresponds to the size of the window itself, and at the level with outer wall housing construction - lower. On the lower beam, racks are placed in a vertical position, connecting at the top cross beams. The result is a window frame fastened with longitudinal bars to an upper beam placed on reinforced rafters. This creates a finished frame, but without window rafters. The attic rafter system is arranged according to the model for the main roof structure.

Triangular window frame

When placing lintel bars, it is not advisable to fasten window parts by cutting them into the rafters of the main rafter system roofs, so as not to weaken the load-bearing capacity of all parts. All frame components are secured using galvanized steel fasteners.

After checking the strength and reliability of the frame in the horizontal and vertical planes, you can begin placing the ridge beam and small rafters for the dormer window.

To significantly simplify the labor intensity of the work, the rafters are cut according to a pre-made template. The walls on the sides are sewn up with moisture-resistant building material.

The window roofing is installed at the same time as the installation of the roof covering on the entire roof.

Important: strictly follow the sequence of work when installing the parts of the roof windows in the roof of the house.

6371 0 1

How to make a dormer window on the roof: an overview of options and 2 step-by-step technologies

A beautiful dormer window on the roof is not only an effective element of roof design, but also a rather useful structure, because the more such windows in the attic, the better it will be natural light. Next, you will find out what types of similar structures are divided into, and how they differ from each other. And I’ll tell the DIYers about assembling the 2 most simple options with your own hands.

What types of dormer windows are there?

Whatever you say, a roof with windows always attracts attention. Initially, a dormer or viewing window served exclusively for ventilation in the attic and as a convenient access to the roof. But over the course of a couple of hundred years, its functional content has expanded significantly.

Types of viewing windows

There are 4 types window openings on the roof:

Window opening on the pediment between the roof slopes;
Dormer;
Antidormer;
An attic window built into the roof plane.

Let's look at them in more detail:

Pediment windows mainly characteristic of gable roofs and broken mansard structures. This is the simplest type of viewing windows. The gables, in fact, are a continuation of the end parts of the external walls, and the arrangement here is no different from installing a regular window;

Dormer- these are windows extended beyond the roof, a kind of superstructure on the roof. This type of viewing structures is considered the most common. This is due to the fact that the superstructure does not take up the usable area of the attic; moreover, it, albeit slightly, adds this area;

Antidormer unlike dormer, on the contrary, they are recessed into the roof structure. Their installation is a little simpler, but the big problem is the installation of reinforced waterproofing, because rain pours into this depression almost unhindered. It makes sense to install an antidormer in the lower slopes of broken attic roofs;

Arrangement of flat roof windows considered the latest in fashion. The principle is simple - a finished window structure is cut into the plane of the roof slope. The boom in such windows is also due to the fact that they can be embedded into a finished roof without serious disassembly of the roofing pie.

There is also such a thing as lucarne. In lucarnes, a vertically located window and the wall of the lower floor are in the same plane, the bottom of the structure actually rests on the wall.

Types of designs

Now let's talk about types of structures. If you look at architectural delights and popular names, then there are several dozen types of structures. There is no point in trying to tell about everyone, because each master claims to be unique. Therefore, I took the most common directions.

Illustrations	Recommendations
	Single-pitch. One of the simplest options, where the roof of the structure is actually a continuation of the roof of the main slope, except that the angle changes slightly.
	Gable design. Here we see a standard gable roof in miniature, and the structure of the rafter system in the large and small versions is absolutely the same.
	Triangular window. This window is also a type of gable roof. The design differs from the previous version only in the absence of side walls; everything else is mounted in a similar way.
	Hip roof. Typically used in vintage styles. Installation is more difficult than a classic gable, but it looks elegant.
	Arched dormer. The construction of spherical arched roofs has always been a troublesome task, so I do not recommend you to equip them with your own hands, without the appropriate skill.
	Bat. A new trend in modern architecture. Soft and smooth shapes look great on roofs with a relatively small angle of inclination, but this type of structure also requires professionalism in installation.
	Clerestory. The skylight looks very impressive, but such structures are very rare in private homes.

Self-assembly options

It is advisable to plan and arrange dormer windows at the stage of assembling the roof truss system.

If the roof is completely assembled, but you are determined to put a window in it, my advice to you is to call a professional.

A few words about standards

When constructing such structures, according to the law, one must be guided by GOST 1250681, as well as SNiP II-26 and SNiP 21-01, but these standards are relevant during construction administrative buildings. As for private houses, almost all the instructions written in the documents are more advisory in nature:

In particular, it is not recommended to install a dormer window in the roof plane closer than 1 m from the gable wall;
If the roof slope angle is less than 35º, then it is better to limit yourself to a window on the pediment;
In cases where several windows are installed in a row on one slope, the distance between them must be at least 800 mm;
The lower cut of the window frame should be at a distance of 1 m from the attic floor.

Normal natural light is ensured if the window area is 14–16% of the floor area in the attic. But according to regulations, the area of windows should not exceed half the floor area in the attic.

Option No. 1: the simplest single-pitch design

Illustrations	Recommendations
	Framing the structure. The first to install a rectangular frame in the rafter system of the slope: Rafter legs that get in the way are simply cut to the width of the opening; Then horizontal bars are placed on top and bottom. For these purposes, it is best to use the timber from which the rafter legs are made.
	Support racks. The extreme vertical posts are made of 2 bars. One bar is nailed to the side of the rafter leg, and the other is placed on the rafter leg, plus the bars are fastened together. Horizontal roof rafters are nailed to the vertical posts. The angle of inclination of the rafters should be from 5º.
	We knock down the frame. The rest of the frame is knocked together, as shown in the diagram on the left, from the same bars. It is not worth installing intermediate posts and upper rafters too often; a step of 50 cm will be enough. Don’t forget, you still need to lay insulation between these bars, and each block is a cold bridge.
	Roof frame. Since our roof is flat, roof frame It is made reinforced, from 2 rows of cross bars. The lower support frame under the window can be mounted as desired; I recommend raising the window above the roof by at least 100 mm, this way you will protect it from snow and water.
	Sheathing the frame. For external cladding, OSB or waterproof plywood with a thickness of 10 mm or more is used. To insulate the main roof, dense slabs of mineral wool are usually used. In the frame of the viewing window, the vapor permeability of the insulation is not so important, so foam plastic or EPS can be used here. The roofing material used is the same as on the main roof, and side walls You can sheathe it with galvanized iron and paint it to match the color of the roof.

Option number 2: triangle

The triangular structure is installed at the stage of arrangement of the main rafter system. Although our final shape is triangular, the exit opening is made in the same way as in the previous version, rectangular.

Next, a vertical face truss is installed, with the edges of the triangle extending beyond the main opening. Vertex roof truss should be flush with the horizontal beam of the opening.

Simultaneously with the installation of the front triangular truss, the ridge beam is installed. It connects the floor beam of the opening with the vertex of the triangle and is located strictly horizontally. In this case, 100x50 mm timber is sufficient.

After this, a triangle is arranged on the roof plane. You need to connect the ridge beam attachment point in the opening to the edges of the face truss. The rafter legs of the window frame will rest on these bars.

After covering the front truss with OSB sheets or waterproof plywood, a small frame is stuffed on the sides for the “overhang” of the roof. On last stage everything is covered with sheets and you can begin installing the roofing, insulation and finishing.

Conclusion

The assembly options that I talked about can be improved and changed as desired, for example, when you combine the first and second options, you will get a full-fledged dormer with a gable roof. If you have any questions, write in the comments, I will try to help.

November 1, 2017

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, or ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

One of the architectural elements of the house is the window. They are installed not only in wall openings, but also in the roof. They are used for both attics and attics, allowing for unusual and interesting lighting.

When equipping the attic mandatory element is a window that will be located on the roof of the house.

Is the roof reliable and aesthetically pleasing? It is important to carry out the preparation correctly, take into account the design of the windows, and choose an acceptable installation method.

What to prepare for work?

To make a skylight with your own hands, you need to prepare a certain set of materials and tools, which includes:

Before installation, you must purchase a ready-made window structure.

A finished window frame, the glazing area of which is usually 0.7 m². You can buy the frame ready-made or assemble it yourself. But here it is necessary to have special equipment, since when installing roof and dormer windows, numerous conditions must be observed. The window frame can also be assembled from wooden blocks, but if their shape is irregular or round, then without special equipment difficult to get by. The frame can be made of wood or plastic - it all depends on the preferences of the owner. The quality of the listed structures is almost the same.
Materials for insulation, waterproofing. Usually special PVC membranes are used, mineral wool, applies polyurethane foam, which allows you to isolate cracks and gaps.
A special window flashing that is used to decorate the opening.
Plasterboard sheets.
Materials for interior decoration window opening.
Construction level, tape measure, simple pencil, metal ruler.
It is recommended to use special galvanized roofing nails.
Pliers, screw cutter, drill, screwdriver.
Fastening metal corners.
Chisel and saw.

For an experienced installer, making a roof window with your own hands is not so difficult. This requires 3 hours, approximately another 2 hours must be spent to decorative finishing the interior from the room side. A beginner will need more time. You need to be patient in advance; it can take a lot of time, especially if you have to dismantle a section of the finished roof and carry out insulation work.

Return to contents

Procedure for installing a roof window

If the roof is equipped with a window, then all steps must be strictly followed:

Base for the skylight: a - side pillars; b - lower support beam; c - lower support; g - corner post; d - ceiling cross beams.

The finished window frame for the roof is delivered fully assembled; it is not recommended to disassemble it, as the seals can be broken - the window will no longer be so airtight. Therefore, it must be removed from the packaging, and then carefully screwed on the mounting corners. The roof at the installation site must be equipped with additional strips; they are placed flush with the roof sheathing. The opening must be cut so that its dimensions are approximately 45 mm larger than the window frame. They are cut with a saw; it is necessary to determine the exact shape and dimensions in advance, since it will be difficult to fix a large opening. The roof may lose its attractive and neat appearance and lose its airtightness.
After this, the window frame is carefully inserted into the opening. The sides must be secured to the roof structure with self-tapping screws. After installation, all gaps must be carefully adjusted, after which the structure can be finally fixed. Before this, all sides should be insulated and waterproofing installed. During installation, it is necessary to remove part of the waterproofing to the outside; the excess will then be cut off. Next, a side strip is placed and the excess is cut off.
Next is placed horizontal panel frame, it is attached tightly, gaps are not allowed.
Vertical planks and sub-planks are mounted. The strips are pressed tightly against the structure and then carefully closed with a lid in a horizontal position. The corrugation, which is supplied in the kit, is pressed against the outer covering of the roof, after which it is necessary to carefully bend all the vertical parts at the edges inward.
All excess sealant is cut off with a knife; it must be cut strictly along the wave of the roof or in a straight line - it all depends on roofing material. The distance from the edge of the roof to the window frame is 30-60 mm if the seal is vertical. A value of 60-150 mm is used if a horizontal seal is installed.
The frame is carefully inserted into the prepared box. It is checked that all seals are made to the highest possible quality.

The installation process may vary slightly depending on the existing roof and window shape. Today, the following types of windows can be used for installation:

dormer windows for single-pitched roofs;
structures for hip roofs;
French rectangular windows that have their own roof;
arched and semicircular windows;
triangular for complex roofs;
built-in window structures of various shapes;
dormer windows with front glazing;
triangular frontal.

Return to contents

How to choose a roof window?

The types of roof windows can vary. To choose the right design, you need to pay attention to what roofing structures they are used for.

All window frames and openings differ in their shape and size:

Windows for flat roof. They are used for lighting residential premises. It is imperative to install additional gutters, as there will be a need for careful drainage of melt and rain water. Such structures can only be installed on those roofs that have a slope of 5-15°. Window structures can be solid or openable. The first ones are used when there is a source of ventilation. If it is not there, then it is better to make the frame openable.
Quadrangular windows for double and pitched roofs almost identical to the previous option, but they can be arranged for roofs with slopes of 15°. There are no plans to have gutters to drain water from the window, but its design should eliminate the possibility of moisture getting inside.
Triangular roof windows do not have side walls, since this function is performed by the roof slopes. Appearance similar designs are attractive and unusual, the volume waterproofing work in this case it is significantly reduced, since there are fewer joining points between the window and the roof. It should be noted that such windows do not provide a sufficient level of illumination; they are mainly used only for attics and attics where there is good artificial light.
Windows for semicircular roof elements. This option is considered one of the most attractive, but its design also requires some effort and special knowledge. The lines of the structure are smooth, the window seems to flow over the roof. Such designs are also called “ bat"or "mouth of a frog." For the construction it is necessary to use homemade frames, which are made to order. It is important to take into account full compliance with all roof shapes so that the fit of the frame is as tight as possible.

It is believed that the arrangement of a residential attic is more difficult and more expensive than the construction of a conventional non-insulated roof with a cold attic. There are reasons for this:

It is necessary to properly insulate the attic.
It is necessary to correctly install a vapor barrier and a superdiffusion moisture and windproof membrane.
It is necessary to install skylights as required by the manufacturer.

Problems often arise with the last point. Errors when installing windows attic floor nullify all the advantages of this room. As a result of the mistakes of illiterate builders, attic windows leak in the rain, and condensation drips from the ceiling, damaging the finish. It is not surprising that many developers are distrustful of attics, believing that it is better to build a cottage the old fashioned way. Our video and photo instructions, which tell you:

How to calculate the size of a dormer window depending on the area of the room.
How to choose a place in the attic roof to install a window.
How to prepare a window opening for installing a roof window.
How to install the frame and frame of a roof window.
How to install a condensate drain.
How to make waterproofing at junction points.
How to install a roof window frame and make a heat and vapor barrier.

Installation of a roof window: planning

A roof window can be installed either at the stage of attic construction or on a finished insulated roof with the finishing coating and layers of vapor barrier and hydro- and wind protection already laid. In the first option, work is carried out sequentially, step by step and, usually, does not cause difficulties. In the second case, you need to rack your brains on how to install a window in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, going through the entire pie of the attic roof with flexible tiles.

The main difficulties of installing a roof window left “for later” - you will have to carefully dismantle or cut through it, moving from inside to outside:

internal sheathing for finishing the attic;
vapor barrier;
insulation;
superdiffusion membrane (moisture and wind protection);
sheathing and counter-lattice;
cut OSB boards for the opening;
partially remove around the window opening flexible tiles.

The width of the attic window is determined by the pitch of the rafters. If the developer does not want to install a narrow window, fitting it to the rafters mounted at a distance of, for example, 60 cm from each other, then he will have to cut out one rafter leg, strengthen the structure, etc. This increases the likelihood of errors among installers, the deadlines and estimates for work. From here:

The installation of roof windows must be planned at the stage of designing a house and calculating the rafter system.

As a guide, we are guided by the following figures:

It is recommended to install roof windows into roofs with a slope angle of 15 degrees or more.
The window area is selected according to the formula: per 10 sq. m of attic floor should be 1 sq. m of glazing.
The upper part of the roof window (from the floor) is located at a height of about 2 m, and bottom part approximately 1.2 m.
The opening for the attic window should be at least 4 cm wider than it, optimally 6 cm.
The length of the opening is approximately 4.5-5 cm longer than the length of the attic window.

Stages of installation of a roof window

alexnrg FORUMHOUSE Member

I decided to install a roof window in my house myself. Roofing pie: rafters - board with a section of 15x5 cm, vapor-permeable moisture-windproof membrane, horizontal and vertical sheathing, OSB, underlay carpet, flexible tiles. Questions have arisen:

How to install a roof window correctly?
How to prepare the opening?
How to fix a window in the attic?
How to drain condensate?
What is the salary for and how to install it?

The flashing (metal frame) is a system of gutters for hermetically sealing the roof window with the roofing. The flashing removes rainwater and moisture from the attic window when the snow melts.

All work on installing windows in the attic is divided into a number of sequential steps:

Preparing the opening.
Assembly and installation of the thermal insulation circuit.
Installing a roof window frame into a thermal frame.
Installation of the sash (glass unit).
Adjusting the side gap and window shutter.
Installation of a condensate drain.
Installation of a waterproofing apron.
Salary setting.
Insulation of slopes around the window and restoration of the vapor barrier contour from the inside of the room.

We'll tell you about the key stages of installing a roof window and how to avoid mistakes.

Preparing a window opening for installing a roof window

In the video instructions, a specialist explains how to prepare a window opening for installing a roof window if the roof has been built and the roofing has been laid.

When installing vapor and waterproofing, the films are cut with an envelope (crosswise) and wrapped inside the room (vapor barrier) and outside (wind protection).

The upper and lower parts of the opening are reinforced with lintels (between the rafters).

And with sheathing bars, so that the edge of the OSB sheet does not hang in the air.

The lower support beam of the sheathing must be leveled in order to accurately align the frame of the attic window and avoid a noticeable difference in height on the side slope.

Important! If OSB has not yet been laid on the roof– base for flexible tiles, then the opening is edged with a frame on top, made from OSB sheet or plywood cut into strips.

Assembling thermal insulation and installing a roof window frame

The thermal insulation circuit is mounted on a steel frame, which is easily assembled with latches.

The thermal insulation contour is installed in the prepared opening.

Then disconnect the rotating part of the sash with the double-glazed window from the frame of the attic window.

Mounting mounting plates and install the box in the opening.

Important! Mounting plates(4 pcs.) installed at the corners of the roof window, in places prepared at the factory in the frame, into holes pre-drilled by the manufacturer for self-tapping screws.

With a large length of the attic window (more than 1.4 m), in place rotary mechanism(hinges), additional intermediate mounting plates (corners) are installed.

The roof window frame is installed in the finished opening. How to do this correctly, as well as adjust the side gaps and the rebate, is shown in the video.

Secrets of installing a condensate drain

The most important element of the roof window waterproofing system is a metal gutter for draining condensate.

The gutter is installed at a distance of up to 50 cm (optimally 20-30 cm) above the window in the same plane with the hydro- and windproof membrane.

To allow condensate to flow down the gutter, it is installed at an angle ( slope minimum 3 degrees). Then the moisture will be removed to one of the sides ( ventilation duct, formed by the sheathing).

Difficulties with installing a gutter arise if it needs to be mounted on a finished roof. In this case, you will have to manually cut out the openings in the sheathing, and do this carefully so as not to damage the wind protection film.

The easiest way to install a gutter is if the roof has not yet been sheathed, there is no base for flexible tiles, and a soft roof has not been laid.

Preparing the site for gutter installation consists of the following steps:

In the middle of the rafter leg (on both sides of the prepared opening) a vertical cut is made on the film of the superdiffusion membrane.

A gutter is placed on the seat.

I lower the gutter, using it as a ruler, and make a horizontal cut in the film so as to align the vertical cuts.

The result is a windbreak valve that fits into the gutter and catches all the condensation.

Steam and waterproofing at the junction of the attic window

At the end of the work, a waterproofing apron is installed, which protects the junction areas from moisture.

The waterproofing apron is glued to the frame from bottom to top. Installation is simple - removable protective film from the adhesive layer (strip) and the apron material is carefully smoothed over the top of the frame. The waterproofing flashing is then secured around the window with staples.

Important! The upper part of the apron is placed under a gutter, which removes condensation, and the valve, cut from the windbreak, is placed on the waterproofing apron. To prevent moisture from getting into the places where they are made vertical cuts in rafters, their waterproof in advance with butyl sealant.