Loft conversion window ideas: 5 Types of Windows for Loft Conversions
5 Types of Windows for Loft Conversions
5 Amazing Types of Windows for Loft Conversions
One of the most important aspects of a loft conversion is your choice of windows. This is because the windows determine the amount of natural light and fresh air your space will get.
If you aren’t sure where to start, here are the 5 Amazing Types of Windows for Loft Conversions.
Dormer Windows
Dormer windows are one of the most frequently used windows in loft conversions. It’s installed vertically at the slopes of your roof, creating a box shape that provides light and headroom into your loft. You may need planning permission for these types of windows.
Skylights or Roof Windows
Roof windows and skylights are an easy way to get light into your conversion. They fit right into your existing roof, providing direct light down into your new space. Sometimes these windows are called Velux windows, named for the most popular brand of skylight windows in the UK.
Balcony Window
Balcony windows, or Juliet balconies, are a beautiful way to add light to your loft conversion. They will add design and character to your home, setting it apart from other loft conversions. Depending on space and safety concerns, you can build balcony windows with railings and protective glass.
Casement Windows
Casement windows are similar to the rest of the windows in your home. Not all loft conversions can fit them, however, and they can restrict openings. They also need to be compliant due to safety regulations. If you can get casement windows into your conversion, they’re easy to open and let in plenty of light.
Gable End Windows
If you have a home with a ridged roof, the gable is the point where the walls of the building meet to form a triangle. Gable end windows work within this space to make a pleasing looking window that flows with the shape and design of your home.
In some cases, you may be able to work these into a dormer loft conversion.
Are you still confused what type of loft conversion windows are best for your loft?
Get in touch with Doran Bros, we have the experience to help you decide which type of loft conversion windows would be best for your Loft. We are loft conversion specialists in South West London. As a leader in home and garden renovation, we can help make your home your dream home.
Doran Bros Construction
Loft Conversion Window Ideas, Loft Conversion Window Types, Loft Room Windows, Types of Windows for Loft Conversions
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Window Options for Your Loft Conversion
Part of the thrill of creating new living space from a loft conversion comes from bringing light into that space with the installation of windows.
However, when it comes to choosing the type of window to be installed, there are many aspects to consider…
The view of the council
The primary things to consider are whether there are any planning restrictions or building regulations which apply to the neighbourhood in general, the property specifically and / or the type of roof and loft conversion.
Restrictions which may be in place include aspects such as the placement of windows (to avoid looking into neighbouring properties), access points which may or may not include the window (if it offers access to outside space such as a roof terrace) and the safety aspects in respect of opening restrictions in respect of the height.
Other restrictions may specify that windows of a certain type only can be installed – this may apply if the property is a listed building or is part of a conservation area, in which case it may be necessary to install a window type which is in keeping with the existing windows, for example fitting a Victorian sash window to match the rest of the house or leaded light casement windows.
Architectural or structural engineers can be involved and will be able to advise on what types of windows will comply with any regulations which apply to the conversion.
The view of the room
Considering the conversion type, potential use of the room and the amount of natural light that will be available can also help to inform you of the types of window that may be best suited to the room. For example:
- A small room can be opened up by using a frameless glass panel, which can also make a feature of the view.
- Vaulted ceilings and conversions which make the most of the character of the roof space, such as with gables and beams can be enhanced with casement windows or balconied window spaces.
- A conversion which does not increase the volume roof space will require roof-light windows as these do not expand the roof space, in contrast to the way a dormer window extends the head room to add full height space to a loft.
- Gable-to-gable conversions build up one side of the pitch to create a ceiling height wall reaching up to the ridge of the original roof space.
For these conversions, windows are usually added along this side to make the most of views and light. - The ventilation and safety requirements of a loft conversion may depend on the use it will have: a children’s play room will be different to a master bedroom with en-suite wetroom and both may require specific types of windows to address safety, light and ventilation issues.
For these conversions, windows are usually added along this side to make the most of views and light.The room with a view
The view is also important and can help inform on the type of window that is ultimately chosen. It’s important to consider the view from all angles – the idea of reclining with breakfast in bed with the French doors to a Juliet Balcony open and curtains dancing in the breeze is fine, but if the view is of the next door neighbours kids’ trampoline, then a roof light view of the stars at night might be preferable.
Which window?
It can help to look through your window options with the potential pros and cons in mind.
- Dormer windows: set into the roof slope, ideally situated well in from the eaves, the advantage of dormer windows is that they can be large and allow a lot of light into the room. One of the disadvantages is that this increases the actual roof space which makes a less simple conversion – something which may not fit if the budget is tight.
- Roof windows: literally set into the roof of the property, these have the advantage of being straightforward in terms of planning. Velux types are particularly popular and feature windows can be created by aligning a series of rooflights in a grid, to allow plenty of light. However, with some types of Velux windows, there can be some issues of accidents from bumping into corners of open windows where ceiling height is low and it’s also surprisingly easy to accidentally leave a Velux window open and be caught out by rain coming in if the weather changes.
One of the disadvantages is that this increases the actual roof space which makes a less simple conversion – something which may not fit if the budget is tight.The roof window alternative, a frameless glass panel can make the most of the view and add light and a sense of space to the roof but might be a poor choice for ventilation as cannot be opened. In older properties, conservation rooflights may be needed to stay in keeping with the area, which can be more expensive.
- Casement windows: Usually installed to be in keeping with the rest of the house, casement windows usually offer plenty of light and opening options. However, restricted openings may be necessary for safety reasons and to be building regulation compliant.
- Balcony door windows: often seen as sash windows or French doors with a Juliet balcony, balcony doors are a way of opening up the room to the outside, maximising ventilation and light. To enhance light and safety further, the balcony could be constructed from a protected glass balustrade. These windows are ideal for making the most of views, but the downside is that they are a specialist fitting which can add to the expense of a loft conversion.
Although they are useful for ventilation, as the doors or window can be flung open wide, it’s not the type of window that can be opened (or left open) just a little way for ventilation throughout the day. Another disadvantage is the amount of space these take up, as often furniture or a radiator would be placed under a window – this option is lost with full size windows.
Child and pet safety concerns can be an issue, depending on the proposed gap size between railings, but these concerns can be eliminated by installing a toughened glass or laminate balustrade instead.
For metal balconies, it’s worth considering that good quality metal is a necessary expense, otherwise maintenance and upkeep can be difficult as poor quality metals are prone to weathering and rust. High quality, low maintenance metals such as aluminium and wrought iron can be harder-wearing, but very expensive.
It’s certainly worth considering all aspects by visiting and viewing loft conversions similar to the type you have in mind and taking advice from the experts, so that you can see clearly your window choices and how these can help make your loft part of your home.
7 posts to inspire you to redo your attic – INMYROOM
Guide
Parent’s bedroom plus nursery, teen’s room with walk-in closet and work space, and even a cozy space with a library – if you have an attic, you’re in luck
Thinking project of a country house with an attic? Or are you planning to remodel an old cottage? Feel free to take note of the ideas from our shortlist and place living rooms right under the roof.
And even the harsh Russian climate is not a hindrance! Don’t believe? Then read the first paragraph.
1. How to insulate the attic: expert advice
What should the warm lining of the roof consist of, what is the thickness of the heat-insulating layer and how to properly install the roof windows – our detailed article will help you not to freeze in your attic in winter. We take note!
2. Equipping the attic: 7 interesting ideas
Go beyond the standard attic design ideas: you can place not only a bedroom in it, but also a comfortable playroom, a spacious library, a place for friendly parties. And even raise “wet” rooms under the roof – a kitchen or a bathroom. Tips on lighting, decoration, ergonomics and ventilation included!
3. From attic to attic in ethnic style
The room under the roof of this country house would have remained a dull attic, if not for the help of the Fazenda team. The designers played with the interior style on the theme of the nature of Yakutia, added ethnic touches of the indigenous population, and also conveyed the special atmosphere of the Far North, where the owners of the house lived for a long time.
4. Nursery and parents’ bedroom under the roof
Designer Anna Sharkunova non-standardly zoned the parents’ bedroom and the nursery in the attic – she broke the only partition and moved it to the middle of the space. They decided to reinforce such an unusual move with a spectacular finish – the bedroom now resembles both a hut and a royal castle at once.
5. How to design a country mansard in eco-style
The owners of the country house used this attic as an impromptu stage for family performances, but they dreamed of a living room. Together with designer Irina Nikulina, Fazenda managed to create a cozy interior with elements of wild nature: birch bark, real moss – rest for the eyes and a relaxed atmosphere are provided.
6. Ideal bedroom for a teenager in the attic
Designer Pavel Alekseev designed a children’s room for a teenage girl in a 45 square meter attic. Pavel intelligently zoned the space and identified several functional areas – a bedroom, a home office, a cozy living room and a spacious dressing room for the hostess’ personal belongings.
7. Living room in the attic for a family with two children: a real example
Initially, this attic had several rooms, one of which was a walk-through. Through the redevelopment, the Ruetemple designers managed to create a multi-functional space with a living room, guest bedrooms, a small library and places to work at home. And the white palette and warm-colored wood create an atmosphere for a relaxing family holiday.
7 practical tips for the perfect solution
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Properly selected windows in the attic will help make the room under the roof 100% functional. A sufficient amount of light and air, ease of managing windows – there are no unimportant details. Below are 7 practical recommendations, guided by which, everyone can create their own unique space in the attic for life, recreation and creativity.
At first glance, it may seem that there is nothing difficult in choosing a window to the attic: a window is a window – a glazed opening through which light and air enter the room. However, do not forget that the premises are located directly under the roof, which dictates special conditions for builders when choosing glazing solutions.
Where to start?
Unlimited space for imagination – combine windows 4-6-8. Photo courtesy of Velux
Before choosing windows in the attic, you need to determine its functionality: will it be a secluded bedroom with a wonderful view, a large children’s room under the very roof, or a cozy dressing room? Or maybe the attic will become a full-fledged floor of a house with several living quarters? In a word, the required level of illumination and the number of windows will depend on the purpose of the space under the roof. Skylights are installed directly into the roof, turning into a part of the roof, they can be used to illuminate any space, even if it does not have vertical walls for mounting the usual windows (in this case, there is almost always not enough light).
A huge advantage of skylights is that they can be located anywhere on the roof and be of almost any size.
Do not forget that roof windows, like the roof, are inclined, so you should pay special attention to choosing a reliable, proven manufacturer specializing in this type of windows and high-quality installation. Often, the roof itself requires preparation and alteration, and it is better not to neglect the necessary modifications – in this case, your attic will last you much longer.
Bright living room in the attic. Photo courtesy of Velux
Let there be light!
Once you’ve figured out which rooms will need extra skylights, it’s time to decide on their number and size. This is quite easy to do, using the “golden rule” of space glazing: when calculating the required number of skylights, for every 10 m² of space, 1 m² of glazed surface is needed. But, as practice shows, for a spacious living room or nursery filled with light and air, this is the minimum volume and it is better to put even more windows.
Roof windows are produced in several standard sizes, which will make it easy to calculate their number, and manufacturers indicate the area of glazing for each size. For example, one of the most popular sizes is 78*118 cm with a glass area of 0.59sq. m, which means that one such window fully illuminates 5.9 sq. m of living space.
Roof windows give 30-40% more light than vertical ones. Photo courtesy of Velux
The handle at the top of the window is convenient when installed at the recommended height of 90-110 cm from the floor. Photo courtesy of Velux
Art Window
Thanks to a wide range of window sizes, the ability to install almost anywhere on the roof and a large number of options for combinations of window sets, you have a huge scope for creativity and the opportunity to realize your wildest dreams. A simple but very effective solution is a combination of several skylights, which is perceived as one large window and lets light and air into the room, visually increasing the space and creating a feeling of spaciousness.
They can be combined horizontally, vertically and placed in groups of 4, 6 or 8 windows. In addition, you can combine the opening system and blind elements in such a way that you get a real floor-to-ceiling panoramic window. The only thing that is recommended to pay attention to is the height of the windows. For better visibility and comfortable operating conditions, the installation height of the lower windows should not exceed 90-120 cm from floor level. In this case, the windows offer an excellent view and maintain full contact with the environment.
The opening system will also depend on the installation height of the roof windows: if the window is located within 90-120 cm from the floor, then it is convenient to place the opening handle on top, if the window is higher (for example, if there is a wall in the attic), then your choice is bottom handle.
When installing at a height of 130-160 cm in an attic with a wall, it is better to choose windows with a handle at the bottom.
Photo courtesy of Velux
Attic bathroom. Photo provided by Velux
“As practice shows, the installation height of skylights is often thought at the very last moment, and in order to choose the best opening option, this parameter must be known in advance, ,” says Marina Prozarovskaya, an engineer at VELUX. – Therefore, for those who are not yet sure about the installation height at the time of purchase, VELUX now offers a window with two handles from this year – which one will be more convenient to use, the buyer can decide after installation. And if you value luxury and comfort, opt for the remote window control option.”
Separately, it is recommended to install a remote control system if the windows are located outside the usual reach – above the stairs or high in vertical combinations – firstly, it is really convenient, and secondly, it is truly luxurious.
In addition, you should carefully choose the material from which your skylights will be made, and the appropriate double-glazed window.
Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of options depending on the required functionality. The window can be classic wooden or plastic and polyurethane for wet areas. Double-glazed windows in most models are single-chamber, but in terms of heat saving they are not inferior to classic two- and even three-chamber counterparts, since they are made using a special technology. Pay attention to the outer glass – it must be tempered to protect against hail. At the same time, there are models equipped with a safety double-glazed window with triplex inner glass. This is a two-layer glass connected by a special film that will not allow fragments to scatter if the window breaks – this is especially important when it comes to a child’s room or a window above the bed.
Thus, the main points to pay attention to when choosing a window:
• window sizes – ideally, they should be determined at the design stage, because in the case of roof windows it is necessary to prepare an opening in the roof for a certain window size;
• type of opening – depending on the height of installation and location of windows;
• material – lacquered wood, white moisture-resistant profile made of plastic or polyurethane with a wooden base – depending on the purpose of the room;
• double-glazed window – choose depending on what characteristics you need: heat saving, noise insulation, fading protection and much more.
In addition, you should pay attention to non-standard options for attic glazing from VELUX – a balcony window or terrace, which will make your attic truly luxurious.
Technology comes first
A roof window is a full-fledged part of the roofing pie. Photo courtesy of Velux
The roof window is a full-fledged part of the roofing pie, so it is not only the frame and glass itself, but also a special installation system that reliable manufacturers supply with the window. For example, installing a roof window in the roof is impossible without a salary – a system of gutters for draining water, which must be purchased along with the window. In addition, in order for the window to last for a long time, it is important to ensure that each element of the roof window structure is connected to each layer of the roofing cake in series. Each component of the structure must meet high quality and safety standards – these are not empty precautions, but literally a matter of life and death: if the window passes moisture or poorly retains heat, then you can forget about a comfortable life in the attic.
Well-known manufacturers usually supply the right fittings for any window: for example, VELUX offers turnkey solutions where all the components are provided and the quality is guaranteed by the leading manufacturer of roof windows.
One such item is the hydro and thermal insulation kit. You can hear from builders that there are various options for connecting a roof window with hydro and thermal insulation of the roof, but using only the original kit will ensure high-quality, quick and trouble-free installation of the roof window and increase the warranty from 5 to 10 years.
Roof windows must be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and the work must be carried out by highly qualified teams of roofers to ensure reliability and quality for years to come.
Beauty accessories and more
Pleated blinds for roof windows will softly dim the light and complement your interior.
Photo courtesy of Velux
In addition to purely technical accessories for the installation and operation of skylights, leading manufacturers offer a wide range of accessories. “When it comes to decorating classic windows, as a rule, most buyers choose tulle, curtains, blinds or Roman blinds. When decorating your attic windows, you don’t have to give up on familiar details: for example, VELUX offers a choice of blackout blinds, translucent pleated blinds, diffusing roller blinds and elegant Roman blinds. – says designer Guseva Natalia. – All models are presented in a variety of colors. And for those who are not afraid of bold decisions and are ready for a truly striking design – special collections from Star Wars, Disney or from the discreet Dutch Scholten & Baijings. In addition, some accessories are indispensable for a comfortable life in the attic, such as external awnings to protect against heat and mosquito nets.”
In a word, the attic today is not only a comfortable room under the roof, which, according to your desire, can turn into a living room, loft, dressing room or children’s room, but also a real means of emphasizing one’s own individuality and expressing oneself.