Give light to your attic and attics

Skylight, canopy, roof window...The choice is vast to offer light to attic and attics.But not all solutions have the same advantages or the same technical difficulties...

To live well under the roofs, the glass surface must be at least 1/6 of the surface of the room to light.Thus, for attic of 24 m2, it will be necessary to provide 4 m2 of opening.This is the minimum to feel comfortable, but nothing prevents you from seeing larger and multiplying the windows to create a canopy, to choose large frames to install in roof or on the gable.

The choice is wide in terms of shapes and styles (skylight, roof window, canopy...)) and materials.Get advised by the CAUE architects (architectural, town planning and environmental council)) of your department.And do not forget to find out about the town planning regulations (POS or PLU)) which sometimes impose the window model to install.A simple declaration of work is generally enough, but, if your attic increases the floor surface by more than 20 m2 or if your house is located in a classified environment, a building permit will be necessary.

Finally, the implantation of your roof windows will have to respect the mitoyenneaneous limits: the "right view" (the one facing)) must be greater than 1.90 m and the "oblique side view" at 0.60 m.

The approval of the skylights

Vertical openings, placed in protrusion on the slope of the roof, the skylights adapt on any roof.Two conditions however: that the slope is not too low (minimum 30 °)) and that the structure is solid enough to support the weight of the skylight (between 150 and 700 kg)).Integration into a roof implies some precautions: the waterproofing of the fittings must be perfect.Various zinc elements (bib, solin...)) will serve as protection.It will also be necessary to treat interior insulation to avoid thermal loss.
Avantages : grande diversité de formes et charme sans pareil.
Inconvénients : ces ouvertures demeurent moins lumineuses que les fenêtres de toit et impliquent des travaux assez lourds.

Windows on a gable wall

An interesting option if you do not want to "distort" your roof with the insertion of windows.Discreet, they are part of the wall with various shapes (round, curved, triangular...)), and are increasingly used in heavy renovations or contemporary constructions, in the form of large bay windows.Custom made, they follow the roof slope and can descend to the lower level.The profiles can be aluminum, PVC, wood or mixed.

These large bays provide maximum natural light in the attic.Equipped with double glazing, they offer thermal comfort both in winter and summer.Be careful, they require the installation of blinds or curtains to protect themselves from the sun's assaults.The intervention of an architect is essential.He will have to calculate the recovery and the distribution of the loads before the gable breakthrough.

Installation conditions

They are simple to install and do not require heavy work.In addition, they find their place on all types of roofs of an inclination of 15 ° to the vertical.They are available in different standard or tailor -made formats to adapt to your constraints.To benefit from an abundant light in your attic, it is advisable to associate several small windows on the length of the roof, rather than installing a large window.Finally, to benefit from a beautiful view of the outside, the upper part of the window must be located between 1.85 and 2.20m from the ground.

What mode of opening?

- Rotation opening.The window pivots on a central axis located halfway up, so that its upper switch in the room.It is recommended for roofs whose slope is greater than 50 °.It is manually activated with a maneuver bar placed at the top of the window.For a clear view of the outside, the window must be placed about 1 m from the ground.The opening pivots and turns completely to clean the glazing.
Un avantage : on peut placer un meuble sous la fenêtre.
Mais aussi un inconvénient : la partie haute de la fenêtre peut gêner la vue et la circulation dans la pièce.

- The opening by projection and rotation.The window is equipped with a low handle to open in projection to the outside and a high maneuver bar to open it by rotation.This type of window is recommended for roofs whose slope is maximum 30 °.It offers a totally cleared view of the outside and does not prevent on the interior space.Easy to clean, the window turns completely.

- Electric opening.With this system, the window is maneuvering using a programmable remote control.An essential option for inaccessible windows.Do not panic if you forgot to close the windows, from the first rain drops, they are automatically close thanks to sensors.

Comfortable glazing

The roof window is on the front line in the face of bad weather, that is why make the right choice in terms of performance is essential for your well-being.

1.At the thermal level, double glazing with low emissivity and argon blade (4-16-4)) is a standard which makes it possible to obtain a thermal coefficient UW (the lower the UW, the more efficient the insulation))1.4 W/M2.K, eligible for the tax credit.An interesting level of performance in both summer and winter.You are free to install glazing with even higher performance, such as triple glazing, whose coefficient is 1 W/m2.K.

2.In terms of comfort, many options are offered to simplify your life:

- Classic glazing does not effectively stop solar rays, therefore opt for "solar control" models: they allow you to block almost 70 % solar contribution.

- For your tranquility, why not install "safety puff" glazes?They will delay any break -ins.It is also possible to limit the noise of rain with "reinforced acoustic insulation".It divides the sound level by two compared to a conventional window.

- finally, the glazing can be self -cleaning, an appreciable specificity especially for the inaccessible windows.

Finishes

Less decorative than conventional windows and berries, roof windows are available in light wood or white finish (polyurethane shell)).Two ideal solutions for modern and refined atmospheres, but also for wet environments (seaside or kitchen, bathroom)).If you are not tempted by wood or white profiles, there is a company, Cast-PMR, specialized in the manufacture of metal chassis.Treaties with a matt black epoxy paint, these chassis are equipped with ultra -flat profiles discreetly adapting to roofs, and reinforced thermal insulation double glazing meeting the 2005 RT requirements (they are therefore eligible for tax credit)).

Overthrow

In summer, the heat accumulates in the attic.To limit the greenhouse effect, it is important to equip your interior blinds roof windows.A wide choice of blinds, pleated or Venetian (with adjustable strips)), makes it possible to filter the light and to protect yourself from the assaults of the sun (Franciaflex, Reflex'sol, Velux)).Declined in a varied palette of colors and patterns, the blinds bring a decorative touch.The installation of roller shutters (manual, electric or solar)) or occultation blinds (manual or solar)) will nevertheless be necessary to create perfect darkness.

New: solar motorization

It is fueled by photovoltaic cells to capture energy operating the system.All the comfort of a motorization without connections to the electrical network: zero wire and zero energy consumption (Velux)).

Waterproofing and aesthetic: the waterproofing between the roof window and the roof is ensured by a connection system, which will be chosen according to the cover material (terracotta tiles, slate...)). Selon les modèles, il permettra une pose traditionnelle sur la toiture (débordante)) ou une pose encastrée.The latter constitutes a solution as discreet as efficient.To optimize integration, connection dusts are offered in different shades (for example, anthracite gray for slate roofs)).