A dormer window is nothing more than the most ordinary window located on the roof of a house. Each of us can see it in the nearest private house with an attic, which is why the common people call it a roof window. But this modern name is not suitable for the windows present on buildings and cathedrals built in past centuries. They are the progenitors of modern such windows. And they called them an interesting word - lukarna.

Dormer window photo

Lucarne: what is it?

Dormer or lucarna are one and the same, but they are separated by time frames. Lucarne was widely used in architecture of the XIX-XX centuries, but it is known that it began to be used in the XV century in England on roofs with a pointed structure. Lucarne has its own distinctive features - it is a superstructure on the roof of the house, in the front part of which the window was installed. The facade itself was decorated with lush stucco moldings and was the hallmark of the whole house. Later, this unique architectural element was used on the roofs of wealthy houses and seemed to signal the status of its owners.

Photo lucarne window

The word lucarne is French (lucarne), but has a Latin origin from the word lux - light. The practical significance of the design: at that time it was the only way to provide lighting for the attic space, if you exclude torches and candles.

Lucarne photo

Dormer: why is it called that and what is it for?

A dormer is already the domestic name for a roof window, it is designed less pompously and is more likely primarily of practical value than aesthetic one. There are two versions of why this window was named that way:

First version: earlier the word "hearing" had a slightly different meaning and meant an opening, a vent. Which explains the purpose of such a window - lighting with natural light and airing the room.

Second version is directly related to the surname of the master Slukhov, who managed during the reign of Alexander I the work on the construction of the roof at the Moscow Manege. According to this version, the roof of the building was initially built without a ventilation system, which led to its deformation under the influence of external natural conditions. Later, when the tsar himself found out about this, Rumors soon corrected the situation by erecting such windows, which were named after him.

Dormer window photo

Dormer roof photo

Dormer on the roof: shape and design features

A traditional dormer window with its entire structure, when viewed from the side, resembles a house. After all, it has exactly its shape, so the lucarna not only performs the function of lighting and airing, but also increases the space in the attic. In addition, it is much easier to open such windows, since swing frames are used for them, and not sliding ones, as with modern dormer windows installed in the roof plane. Therefore, they are called the vertical dormer.

Dormer roof photo

Such a lucarne window can be located in any part of the roof. modern home, it does not matter whether it is the main plane or the end plane. Its size and shape are also determined by the features of the roof structure and the style of the exterior of the whole house. The height of the roof and the area of ​​the attic are also taken into account. And of course they are not built on roofs with a small angle of inclination.

Skylight

Another type of lucarni is a recessed window into the superstructure structure. This is usually done at large windows for building a balcony. The only drawback of this design is that it does not increase the living space. Therefore, it is relevant only in large-area attics.

Lucarne photo

The dormer can also be made in the plane of the roof, which gives them the right to call them skylights. They are good in that they do not form an additional structure on the roof, which in turn makes it easier to clear it from snow in winter period... Also, such windows increase the degree of illumination of the attic by exactly half. Therefore, they are not recommended to be placed on the sunny side of the roof, but in the shady side they are very much welcome. But it is worth saying that such windows require good waterproofing with a rainfall drainage system and, of course, are supplied with no less high-quality thermal insulation.

Roof window photo

It is also worth saying that the windows of the lucarne can have a very different shape, in addition to the traditional squares and rectangles, in architecture you can also find them in a triangular shape, polygonal, round and oval. This variety is due to the peculiarities of the exterior style.

Roof lucarne

Dormer windows or lucarne windows firmly entered the architecture of suburban private construction. It is worth saying that they can be built on an already erected house, it is only necessary to change the design of the rafter system. Well, when erecting them, it is worth strictly focusing on the features of the roof and, in general, the entire architecture of the building is taken into account.

Dormer roof photo

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

Types of viewing windows

There are 4 types of roof window openings:

1. Window opening on the pediment between the roof slopes;
2. Dormer;
3. Antidormer;
4. Attic window built into the roof plane.

Let's consider them in more detail:

• Gable windows mostly typical for gable roofs and broken roof structures... This is the simplest type of viewing windows. The gables are, in fact, a continuation of the end parts of the outer walls, and the arrangement here is no different from the inset of a conventional window;

• Antidormer unlike dormers, on the contrary, they are recessed into the roof structure. Their installation is a little easier, but a big problem is the arrangement of reinforced waterproofing, because the rain is poured into this depression almost without hindrance. It makes sense to equip Antidormer in the lower slopes of broken mansard 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 the finished roof without serious disassembly of the roofing pie.

There is also such a thing as lucarnes. In the lucarnes, the 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.

Varieties of designs

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

Illustrations	Recommendations
	Single slope. One of the most simple options, where the roof of the structure is actually a continuation of the roof of the main slope, except that the angle changes slightly.
	Dual slope design. Here we see a standard gable roof in miniature, and the structure of the rafter system in the large and small versions is exactly 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. Usually used in old styles. The installation is more difficult than the classic gable, but it looks elegant.
	Arched dormer. The construction of spherical arched roofs has always been a troublesome business, so I do not recommend you equip them with your own hands, without the appropriate skill.
	Bat. A new trend in modern architecture. Soft and flowing shapes look great on roofs with a relatively small angle of inclination, but this type of construction also requires professionalism in installation.
	Clerestory. The anti-aircraft lantern looks very impressive, but in private houses such structures are very rare.

Self-assembly options

It is advisable to plan and equip dormers at the stage of assembling the roof truss system.

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

A few words about the regulations

When erecting 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 for the construction of administrative buildings. As for private houses, then almost all the instructions written in the documents are more advisory in nature:

• In particular, it is not recommended to install a dormer in the plane of the roof closer than 1 m from the gable wall;
• If the angle of the roof slope is less than 35º, then it is better to limit yourself to the 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;
• Bottom cut window frame should be located at a distance of 1 m from the attic floor.

Normal natural light is provided if the area of ​​the windows is 14-16% of the floor area in the attic. But according to the standards, the area of ​​the windows should not exceed half of the floor area in the attic.

Option number 1: the simplest single-slope design

Illustrations	Recommendations
	Framing the structure. The first is to equip a rectangular frame in the rafter system of the ramp: The rafter legs that get in the way are simply cut to the width of the opening; Further, horizontal bars are packed from above and below. For these purposes, it is best to use the timber from which the rafter legs are made.
	Carrying racks. The extreme vertical racks are recruited from 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 gets lost, as shown in the diagram on the left, from the same bars. Too often, intermediate posts and upper rafter beams should not be mounted, a step of 50 cm will be enough. Do not forget to lay insulation between these bars, and each bar is a cold bridge.
	Roof frame. Since our roof is flat, the roof frame is made reinforced, from 2 rows of cross slats. The lower support frame under the window can be mounted at will, I recommend raising the window above the roof by at least 100 mm, so you will protect it from snow and water.
	We sheathe the frame. For external cladding, OSB or waterproof plywood with a thickness of 10 mm or more is used. Dense mineral wool slabs are usually used to insulate the main roof. In the frame of the observation window, the vapor permeability of the insulation is not so relevant, so here you can use foam or EPS. The roofing material is the same as on the main roof, and the side walls can be sheathed with galvanized iron and painted in the color of the roof.

Option number 2: triangle

The triangular structure is mounted at the stage of arranging 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 front truss is installed, while the edges of the triangle go beyond the main opening. The top of the truss should be flush with the horizontal beam of the opening.

Simultaneously with the installation of the front triangular truss, the ridge bar is mounted. It connects the opening beam to the apex of the triangle and is positioned strictly horizontally. In this case, a 100x50 mm beam is sufficient.

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

After sheathing the front truss with sheets of OSB or waterproof plywood, a small frame is stuffed on the sides to "fly out" the roof. At the last stage, everything is sewn up with sheets and you can start installing the roofing, insulation and finishing.

Output

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

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

New buildings or for arranging additional usable area of ​​an existing building, architects often use the technique of installing dormer windows. This changes significantly general form at home, makes the room more spacious, bright, well-ventilated. In appearance, the structure resembles a small house with a window and walls.

Even small structures lined up along the line of the roof ridge can significantly expand the space and change the concept of the style of the house.

To equip the attic in accordance with the requirements of SNiP, the floor-to-ceiling height of most of the attic should be at least 2.25 m.Installing dormer windows in rooms that do not match in size will significantly expand the area and make it possible to increase the usable area.

When equipping the roof surface with window openings, attention should be paid to the dimensions of the structure. You need to give preference to large sizes in order to justify the costs of the device.

Carried away by the expansion of space, do not forget about the appearance of the house. All additional elements must harmoniously fit into the style of the house, be proportional, have identical slopes and details with the roof, decoration, facade.

Window types

The difference in the types of dormers depends on the roof slope and frame elements. Several varieties stand out:

• single-slope;
• gable;
• flat;
• arched;
• hip.

All types of construction are classified according to the main types of location of the auditory object:

• in the gable wall (on the end side of the roof);
• dormer (above the roof plane);
• antidormer (inside the roof);
• inclined window (in the plane of the roof).

Dormer varieties are considered the most popular in private construction, since they most successfully perform the function of increasing the usable area.

Single-pitched window structures have a flat roof with a lower slope than the main roof surface. This design is practical and easy to arrange.

There is more space above your head than in the gable version. However, with numerous advantages, it is worth noting the rough architectural lines that do not always gracefully fit into the overall appearance of the house. Therefore, when choosing a type, you need to evaluate the desired and obtained result.

The angle of inclination of the roof of a single-pitched structure does not depend on the shape of the main roofing surface. When calculating the slope, the space created above the head and the increase in usable area are taken into account. The slope of the roof of the structure being erected affects the choice of material:

• over 25%, the use of roofing felt and fiberglass plates is recommended;
• up to 25%, rolled asphalt is used, followed by the laying of a roll cover or seamless rubber;
• over 30% wooden tiles are allowed.

While doing installation works the rainwater drainage system deserves special attention. If an error is made in calculations or in the technological process during heavy precipitation, water may leak inside.

A gable roof is a more complex structure. The configuration can be rounded or acute-angled.

The cost of the arrangement will require much more. This type of structure reduces the height of the ceiling. And the broken lines of the walls make the usable area smaller. But the exterior design of the roof remains unsurpassed with the use of the gable structure of the skylights.

How to choose

Among the various forms of decoration of attic window openings, the following stand out.

1. WITH flat roof, with a slope of only 5-15 °, the design has the least impact on the architectural appearance of the house. At the same time, it has the main advantage - maximum lighting and ventilation of the room. The flat roof is covered with a metal coating. Drainage is carried out using gutters of various shapes. Special attention during installation, put on the seal to prevent leakage.
2. Rectangular window opening with a single or gable roof installed to increase the usable area and lighting. The slope lines sometimes repeat the slope of the main roof, which makes the exterior design of the house sophisticated and presentable. This type is characterized by an abundance of design options for window structures with various functional and decorative elements: cornices, gutters, gutters, etc.
3. Triangular or acute-angled structures are used primarily for ventilation and lighting in the attic. This view is not suitable for increasing space. Graceful shapes will decorate almost any roof of the house.
4. The skylight provides maximum illumination due to the fact that most of the structure is glass. This design is widely used not only in residential buildings, but in industrial and commercial areas. The shape of the structure resembles a pyramid or hemisphere. The bulge increases the space. It is comfortable to be in such a room, however, as well as to operate it.
5. Constructions with louvered grilles are installed only on non-residential premises. There is no glazing. The role of the dormer is reduced to the ventilation function of the attic.
6. Arched top openings are installed above the roof slope. Particular attention is paid to waterproofing and reinforcing elements of the roof frame. Arched design is a popular type and is often used for arranging the attic. The space does not hide in the room, and the operation of the usable area is very comfortable. This type of window is used in residential, commercial and administrative buildings.

Each option has its own advantages, disadvantages in installation and operation. Whatever the shape, the constructive soundness of the dormer windows is important.

The attic space should be comfortable for living, and the appearance of the house should not suffer from heaps and excesses.

Installation rules

1. The window can only be installed on a roof with an angle of inclination of at least 35 °.
2. When developing a project, the gap between the rafters is taken into account.
3. The dimensions of the flaps should not be less than the parameters: 0.6x0.8 m.
4. It is necessary to position the window structure at a certain distance in relation to the load-bearing wall.
5. It is forbidden to erect a structure near the ridge, pediment, cornice.
6. The distance between two dormers should be 0.8 m or more.
7. When calculating the number of windows, the rules of proportionality must be observed: the sum of the width of all openings must be more than half the length of the attic.
8. Installation of auditory structures in two rows is allowed.
9. The design of the window roof has its own rafter system, lathing, roofing material and drainage. Laying is carried out in compliance with the rules of the roofing cake.
10. In the construction of the dormer window, it is important to observe the sequence and technological process... Use only parts specified in design documents.

Dormer creation process

When planning the installation of an auditory object on the roof, you need to describe the entire technological process. This will help you step by step to solve emerging issues and not to miss important details.

1. Design stage. The materials used, fasteners and connecting elements are taken into account. Development of drawings is in progress. The calculated data include all types of loads: wind, sediment, temperature. The documentation also contains solutions with, sealing, waterproofing. Characteristic:
   • the choice of the type of construction;
   • determining the number of windows;
   • size calculations;
   • bearing capacity;
   • fastening methods with the main roof.
2. The installation of the frame resembles the construction of a conventional roof, since the installation includes the collection of the rafter system, the sheathing, the laying of the roofing material, the fastening of the ebb, ridge and the protection of the abutments. It is better to carry out the work in parallel with the construction of the roof of the house. But if there is a desire to mount window structures into the existing roof, it is enough to calculate the installation points and take into account all the rules of SNiP. The locations of the auditory object frame should initially be reinforced with rafter legs. It is forbidden to do an insert into the supporting rafters, as this weakens the strength of the roofing structure. NS the transverse beams of the frame are fastened at the level outer wall at home, after which vertical racks are mounted. The elements are connected with one transverse bar. Fix the resulting window frame to the upper beam. Docking of parts is carried out with metal fasteners: anchors, bolts. Cutting and cutting will not give sufficient strength. Before fastening each part, the elements are aligned for horizontal and vertical alignment.
3. Fasten the crate to the frame using wooden blocks or galvanized profiles. The spacing should be 500 mm.
4. After the work with the frame is completed, you need to install the ridge bar. Next, the installation of the window rafter system is carried out.
5. The gables are sewn up with moisture-resistant plywood flush with the outer wall.
6. On the inside, fix the waterproofing material, sealing all joints and joints with a sealant.
7. The roof covering on the window structure is usually laid with the same material as on the main surface.
8. The sheathing is fixed to the crate. To do this, use an identical material used to decorate the room or wooden boards with a horizontal / vertical arrangement. It is impractical to use plaster for cladding, a fragile structure will not be able to withstand moving rafters under the force of wind currents.
9. The wall cladding of a window structure can be done with steel siding. The coating is unpretentious in operation, but creates reliable protection... Siding will ennoble the walls of window structures, harmoniously fit into the overall design.

How to make a finished roof window

Before installation, the roof should be inspected to control its integrity, strength and suitability for these works. Equipping the roof with dormer windows is a rather costly undertaking, so you need to evaluate the costs and benefits.

If the final decision is made in favor of installation, it is worth observing the technological sequence.

1. Determination of the location of the windows. It is recommended to place them between the load-bearing beams.
2. Dimensions (edit) the window opening should not be large, as they are poor heat insulators.
3. Assembling the frame carried out according to the selected parameters from wooden blocks, pre-treated with an antiseptic.
4. Carving fragments from roofing pie under the window frame is carried out carefully so as not to damage the waterproofing layer.
5. Frame installation is made using a frame, tightly fixed to the supporting rafters with self-tapping screws.
6. Sealant treatment all joints and connections.

1. The main roof must be strong to support the additional weight. If the frame is damaged or worn out, it is not worth installing dormer windows.
2. It is more correct to plan dormer windows at the design stage of the house. They can be built in the finished roof, but this will require taking into account the distance between the supporting rafters. It is possible to cut a small part of the rafters only with the subsequent redistribution of the load to the neighboring beams by fixing additional cross beams. Complete felling roofing element can not be done.
3. When performing installation work, it is imperative to regularly align the vertical and horizontal lines to prevent distortions.
4. The places of contact of the main roof with the window structure need careful waterproofing. It is in the junctions that leaks often occur.
5. Cover the side walls only with moisture-resistant material.
6. When installing the window frame, all joints and gaps must be sealed with a waterproofing and thermal protection sealant.

A person, planning the construction of a house, dreams of creating something special, not like all the buildings that existed before.

For two centuries, people have been successfully decorating their homes with a device on the roof of a variety of dormer windows.

It is this kind of "zest" that can give the house individuality, make it recognizable and memorable. To achieve the desired result, you need to carefully consider this element, successfully select the materials and perform it with high quality.

A bit of history

Europe. Roofs with dormer windows appeared in the 19th century in all European countries almost simultaneously. They emerged as a functional element of a building for ventilation and lighting of the attic, making the attic suitable for the construction of residential and utility rooms.

But immediately the dormer windows began to serve as a decoration for buildings. The 19th century Europe was characterized by lucarnes - exquisitely decorated dormer windows in the same style as the facade of the building, be it Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque. Moreover, in different countries they looked different.

Russia . The appearance of dormer windows in Russia is associated with the construction of the Manege in 1817 in honor of the fifth anniversary of the victory in the Russian-French war. This grand building, 45 m wide, was covered with wooden trusses, to which it was hemmed suspended ceiling... But, since the construction was carried out in a hurry, the larch for the structures was damp, cracks soon appeared in the structures, the ceiling was bent.

According to legend, the artel worker Aleksey Slukhov, whose name is associated with the name "dormer windows", took on the correction of defects. Under his leadership, rectangular holes were cut on the roof of the building and decorated with additional structures in the form of houses with walls, a roof and a glass facade - a window through which the building was ventilated. The design has shown its effectiveness - the floor trusses, and as a result, the ceiling, straightened.

The first experience turned out to be successful, the majestic building of the Manege still exists with dormer windows, which undoubtedly is its decoration. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHG4QUszYhs

So this architectural structure took root in Russia, making the attics of houses inhabited, first of all, in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Mainly people with low incomes settled here. In addition to living quarters, workshops and other utility rooms were located in the attics. Through the skylights, it was easy to go to the roof to repair it, and also to escape in case of natural disasters - fire or flood.

The design has proven its durability - today a wide variety of dormer windows can be observed.

Classification of windows

1. In the gable wall;
2. Dormer:
   1. triangular,
   2. rectangular with pitched roof
   3. trapezoidal,
   4. segmented with a trapezoidal roof (panoramic),
   5. arched ("bat", "bull's eye");
3. Antidormer;
4. Oblique;
5. Clerestory.

The classification is not limited to this. Thanks to the development of building technologies, the emergence of new materials, old window structures are being improved and new ones are being developed.

Constructive decisions

There are four schematic diagrams of dormer windows.

In the gable wall

The window is arranged in a gable (the upper part of the end wall in the form of a triangle, bounded by the roof slopes) in the plane of the facade. The window arrangement does not require additional structures; through it you can easily get through the external staircase to the attic.

Dormer

The window is fully positioned above the roof slope. The construction of such a window requires reinforcement of the structural elements of the roof and careful waterproofing. From an architectural point of view, this is the most common and most spectacular type of dormer windows with a large number of modifications.

Schemes of some types of dormer windows dormer are given here.

Antidormer

The window does not protrude beyond the roof slope, it is built-in and therefore reduces the usable volume of the attic. This type of windows did not receive wide distribution, although it is simpler in execution than dormer... The option is more economical in terms of the cost of materials and simpler in terms of waterproofing.

Inclined (roof) window

It is located directly in the plane of the roof. Currently, effective designs of dormers have been developed, in particular, metal-plastic windows of various shapes: standard rectangular, round, triangular.

Clerestory

It is a completely glass window, it can have different shapes. The design provides maximum illumination. It is used on the roofs of industrial and public buildings.

Dormer roof windows photo - examples of use in individual residential buildings

A gable roof with a dormer window is a traditional solution. It is located in the plane of the wall on the roof slope.

Single-pitched construction, consists of three windows with partitions.

Hip windows evoke the feeling of antiquity, comfort and regularity of life. With this solution, the angles of inclination of the roof and hip are equal.

A triangular skylight on the roof is a common attribute of a romantic, sometimes even fabulous, home.

Attention ! It is the triangular structure of the window that is the simplest in execution, convenient for waterproofing.

The disadvantage is the limited amount of light.

An arched bull's-eye window will give the interior the features of a patriarchal mansion.

Dormers can be arranged in vertical groups in addition to the usual horizontal arrangement.

The panoramic window provides a wide view and maximum illumination.

There are no side walls at the trapezoidal roof window. All of its covering is carried out with the roofing material.

Can be used different types dormer windows within the same roof.

This large roof has three types of windows. But perhaps the most interesting of them are the windows, called the "bat" or "mouth of the frog" due to the recognizable shape. Their device on a tiled roof is thoroughly developed by the manufacturer of tiles - Roben.

Bat windows will also look impressive on roofs with a minimal slope.

It is difficult to decorate a building with the use of flat roof windows.

Nevertheless, they perfectly transmit light, do not require additional structures and, thanks to a well-developed installation technology, provide reliable waterproofing.

Basic design requirements

The number, type and size of dormer windows are determined by the purpose of the premises, the required illumination, the orientation of the building to the cardinal points, the general architectural concept of the building and the materials used. That is, dormer windows are designed at the sketch stage, and not at the stage of developing a roof plan.

SNiP requirements should be observed when designing windows of any design and style. it necessary condition to ensure the strength and integrity of the roof structure and the durability of the building as a whole.

The top of the window is assigned arbitrarily based on the size of the roof. The higher it is, the more light will enter the room.

The area of ​​dormers in living quarters should be 1 / 6-1 / 8 of the floor area.

The design and installation of the dormer should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of SNiP. Regardless of design features and the style of the selected design, building rules and regulations must be observed. This makes it possible to provide the necessary reliability and durability of this structure without weakening the operational parameters of the building's roof.

The key SNiP requirements for dormer windows include:

• installation is permissible if the angle of inclination of the roof slope is 35 degrees or more;
• superstructures should be located at a regulated distance from the outer walls of the building;
• the doors that open and are located on the dormer window must have a minimum size of 0.6 × 0.8 m, which means that its permissible size on the roof will be 1.2 × 0.8 m;
• if the arrangement of a window with a hip roof and a quadrangular opening is provided, its facade cannot be a continuation of the building wall.

A warning ! When designing, the proportions should be maintained and the roof should not be overloaded with a number of massive windows.

Dormer skylights, construction

The dormer's structure is based on the frame, which is mounted simultaneously with the roof truss system.

The structure is most often made of wood, although the side walls can be made of bricks.

The installation of the skylight is carried out after the roof frame - the gables must be erected and the rafter system of the building must be installed. In the places where the dormer windows are installed, openings are made. If the opening is more than 110-130 cm, then in order to compensate for the increased load from the window structure, the rafter legs framing the opening must be double or triple. The side walls of the skylight structure are installed perpendicular to the outer wall, supported on the floor beams.

Important ! When installing the beams-lintels, a cut into the rafter structures of the roof is unacceptable, as this weakens its structure. Metal fasteners should be used to secure all frame elements.

Particular attention should be paid to waterproofing. The structure of the dormer should be insulated with the same insulation layer as the roof. Exterior wall cladding is usually made with the same material as the building façade.

The roof structure consists of many elements that give it an attractive and finished appearance. Although more than 90% of its area is occupied by the slope surface, auxiliary components that affect functionality and service life are of no less importance. For example, skylights on the roof play not just a decorative role, they serve to ventilate the rafter frame, help organize vertical lighting in the attic. Despite this, their device seems complicated at first glance, the installation of windows can be done by hand, guided by the video and our instructions.

Dormer windows are glazed openings located on the roof of a building. They are equipped with a gable, hip, hip, etc. The installation of roof windows is carried out during the assembly of the rafter frame. Do-it-yourself installation of the "cuckoo", as they are called in another way, solves the following tasks:

1. Organization of ventilation of the attic. The main task of the skylights is to open up air access to the under-roof space. Their device allows you to constantly ventilate the rafter frame, preventing wood decay.
2. Organization of vertical lighting. Attic arrangement implies organization natural light, which enters through the dormer windows.
3. Providing access to the roof. Another function of dormer windows is to provide access to the roof surface in order to make repairs, installation or do-it-yourself maintenance.
4. Completion of the architectural appearance of the roof. The design of the hip, hip and half-hip without roof windows looks unfinished. The installation of these additional elements makes the appearance of the roof richer and more attractive.

Please note that "cuckoos" primarily serve practical purposes, and only then decorate roof structure... Therefore, the dimensions, shape and finish of this architectural building are chosen so as to provide maximum light, air and free access to the roof.

Views

The classic design of skylights is a superstructure protruding above the roof surface, which visually resembles a small house. The installation of this architectural element can be done by hand, if you make the right calculation, create a drawing, and then assemble the frame. Installation of dormer windows is allowed when the slope angle is not more than 35 degrees. The dormer device may look like this:

• With a pediment in the plane of the structure without side walls.
• With a pediment in the plane of a structure with side walls.
• With a pediment outside the plane of the building and with side walls.

Note! The device of the dormer must comply with building codes, its dimensions must be at least 10% of the area of ​​the attic, but no more than 0.5 of the width of the wall on which the installation is carried out.

The form

The design and location of the "cuckoo" is selected in accordance with appearance roof and architectural style of the building. In addition, the finishing of this item must comply with roofing material used to cover the roof. Installation of dormer windows is carried out in accordance with SNiP II-26, SNiP 21-01. Compliance with these standards guarantees reliability and strength of the structure. The dormer window can be triangular or rectangular in accordance with the configuration of the opening. Typically, one of the following installations will be performed:

1. Shed.
2. Gable.
3. Arched.
4. Hip.
5. Flat.

Please note that the installation of the hip structure of the dormer window is much more difficult than the single-slope or dual-slope. Proceed with the installation of an architectural element of high complexity, having in front of you a detailed drawing, as well as necessary tools... To study the installation process in detail, you can watch the video instruction.

Frame device

Whatever the shape of the window, hip, gable or arched, the main design rule is that the structure of its frame should not violate the roof rafter system. "Cuckoo" is mounted as follows:

• First, frontal beams are installed between the rafter legs of the roof frame.
• Vertical racks are installed on the rafters that limit the structure in width.
• On top of each row of vertical racks, a run is laid, connecting the supports to each other.
• Rafter legs are installed on the girders, which are connected on a ridge girder.
• The frame is sheathed with siding or clapboard, and a roof covering is laid on the crate.

Important! It is not easy to install an auditory "birdhouse" on the roof without breaking the roof rafter frame. To familiarize yourself with the process in detail, you can watch the video tutorial or read our instructions.

Video instruction