If you’re looking for a way to bring natural light into your home, you might want to consider installing a roof window. They can transform a dark room into a cozy retreat.

They also help control insulation and reduce noise. They are ideal in bedrooms where ventilation is needed and in attic rooms where heat can escape through the ceiling.

Roof Window

What is a roof window?

A roof window is a type of window that gets installed into the roof of a building. It’s often used as part of a loft conversion, and is an excellent way to bring natural light into dark spaces within the house.

It’s also useful for adding ventilation to the home. Having air flow in your property is key to reducing condensation and mould buildup, allowing a comfortable living space to be maintained throughout the year.

Another key benefit of a roof window is that it makes easy and safe access to your roof for maintenance work. This could include checking for cracked tiles, blocked gutters or other roof drainage problems.

Modern FAKRO roof windows offer the perfect solution for this. They can be opened using side hinges or pivoting at the centre or top of the window to give you easy and safe access to your roof.

They also feature a vent flap that opens and closes automatically when it’s raining to keep your attic ventilated. This helps improve the thermal performance of your flat roof by bringing in more natural heat from the outside to reduce air conditioning costs during summer.

You can also open the roof window manually with the turn of a handle or you can choose electrical versions that allow you to control the opening and closing remotely. VELUX produce a range of roof windows that can be used in attics and lofts to maximise views and ventilation.

In addition, they provide a good level of noise reduction in a property, keeping out unwanted sounds such as road traffic and planes from nearby airports or airstrips. This can make a significant difference to your quality of life.

Lastly, the roof window can also be an important feature of a solid roof conservatory or extension, bringing additional natural light into a room where a standard vertical window isn’t practical. This can create a brighter and more liveable area of the house, and can even transform an unusable loft into a bedroom.

Having a roof window is an ideal way to add natural light and ventilation into your home. It’s a great option for many areas of your property, including loft conversions and attics, and can really improve your day-to-day life.

Types of skylights

There are many different types of skylights, ranging from traditional vaulted roof window styles to modern technology-optimized designs. Each type is designed to meet a specific function, lifestyle need or aesthetic preference.

Ventilating Skylights

These types of skylights open and close like regular windows, allowing for natural ventilation. They also provide a large amount of additional lighting for any room. This is particularly useful in areas that get less sunlight than others in a home.

A ventilating skylight can be installed on sloped roofs, which are common in older homes and can often be hard to access without a ladder. Some skylights are designed to be opened manually, and some can be electronically operated to provide even greater ventilation.

Glass skylights are a popular choice, as they come with a factor seal and a 20-year warranty. They also come with better insulation than acrylic options, which mainly expand and contract with heat.

Dome skylights are another option. They are made up of strong and flexible plastics. The dome shape allows sunlight to spread evenly across the room, rather than focusing on a particular area.

Some dome skylights also feature a durable plastic dome on the outside that prevents rainwater from getting in. These are not necessary, but some people prefer them because of the added protection they offer.

Tubular skylights are also available. These are designed to get light into spaces that don’t have enough room for other options, such as fixed or ventilated windows.

They are also a cost-effective alternative to fixed skylights. They have top, center-pivot or side hinges that allow them to be opened.

These can also be a great way to increase energy efficiency and provide an improved view of the sky. However, they won’t be able to give you that stunning, romantic, or aesthetic view you may be looking for.

There are a variety of different styles and materials for roof windows, including glass, acrylic, and plexiglass. The type of material you choose will have a huge impact on how durable the window is and what kind of views it can provide.

Window dormer

A window dormer juts out from the roof of a building, usually on the side of the loft or attic. They can be a key element in loft conversions, adding natural light and ventilation to the space. The dormer windows may be either fixed or removable. They can also be insulated to reduce heat loss from the space below.

They are usually located on the top of a sloping roof and can be installed by an experienced roofing and window specialist. It is best to choose a dormer that is aesthetically pleasing and reflects the structure of your home.

The shape of the dormer will determine the style of window that it will have, as will its size and roofing materials. The roofing material over the dormer window should match the main roof to create continuity.

There are several different types of dormer styles, including gabled, shed, and arched. The gabled style has two slopes that meet at the top of the dormer, which is called a “gable.” This style has its roots in French architecture and has become very popular in American homes, as it adds character and charm to a house.

Shed dormers are simpler than gabled dormers and feature a single slope over the window. This style is a common option on houses with a gable roof, and it can create a more simple look than the gambrel style.

Pedimented dormers are another variation that have a similar shape to the gabled style but also have a crossbeam that extends from the top of the dormer. This detail is a strong selling point for homes that have a gable or hipped roof, as it makes them look more like garden sheds.

They can be an attractive addition to the exterior of your home and increase its value. They are usually painted to match the siding of your house, so they can be a subtle addition to an existing home or a major upgrade for a new one.

They can be a good way to improve the lighting and ventilation in a room, but they can also increase heating costs if they are not well insulated. They will lose more heat than other windows, so it is important to install insulating material between the wall and the window frame of your dormer.

Roofs with windows

Roof windows are a great way to bring natural light into a home. They also provide ventilation, improve energy efficiency and reduce noise pollution, which can be a problem in urban areas. They can also be used to enhance the look of a home, which can help increase property value.

A roof window can be installed on a pitched or flat roof and can range in size from small to large. They are often used to transform unused attics, spaces above garages and bonus rooms into extraordinary living spaces that embrace the best of the outdoors.

The most basic type of roof window is a centre pivot window. It ensures a flow of fresh air and can be rotated through 180 degrees to open the awning blind or clean the outer pane.

Another type of roof window is a venting skylight. These windows open usually with a pivoting awning-style mechanism but may also incorporate window screening. These windows are usually more affordable than other types of skylights.

These windows are ideal for places where hot and cold air need to be ducted into the home, such as bathrooms or kitchens. These windows also help to control condensation and odors.

A roof window can bring more natural light into a room, which can be helpful for people with limited access to daylight. Having more light can make it easier to see and may even improve health and mood.

In addition, a roof window can also help to regulate sleep patterns and reduce fatigue by giving people more exposure to natural light during the daytime. This can have a positive impact on both productivity and overall health, so it’s a smart investment for your home.

Moreover, roof windows can significantly reduce energy costs by improving the overall insulation of your home. They can prevent heat loss through the roof and keep your home cooler in summer, which can help you save on your monthly utility bills.

Finally, roof windows can be installed on a variety of roofing materials and can be made with or without external capping. This is important because capping can trap dirt and moisture, which can negatively affect the quality of the window’s performance.