ᐅ Higher windows on the upper floor – looking for advice

Hello everyone,

we are currently making quite a few changes to our plan again.
One issue that bothers us a lot is these lousy windows on the upper floor.
At this height, you can barely see outside.
Do you have any tips for how to make the windows higher? We are not allowed to increase the wall height.
We have thought about leaving out the roller shutters, lowering the house a bit, or reducing the ceiling height on the ground floor.
Do you have better suggestions?
What exactly is everything above the window (with the height 46.5cm (18 inches))? Are there lower variants of that?
Thanks.

Best regards
Sonnenblu

If your situation is similar, you could extend the windows all the way up to the roof. For example, Velux offers such windows, which look like this:

There are also roller shutters available for Velux windows.

You might be able to omit or reduce the lintel. With our ground floor windows, this is possible. They are installed flush with the ceiling, meaning the roller shutter box (18cm (7 inches)) starts directly below the ceiling. However, this is a concrete ceiling. I’m not sure how it is with your roof. But I think it should be possible to place it a bit higher. It’s best to ask the planner directly. What do they say about it?

We also have knee wall windows:

However, in every room with a knee wall window, we also have a floor-to-ceiling window on the gable side.

From the inside, it looks like this:

(At that time, our son was 1.12 m (3 ft 8 in) tall)

I don’t think the windows are that bad. Of course, adults can’t really look out through them, but they provide extra light and the children can see outside when playing on the floor.

However, if these were the only windows, I would find that bothersome as well.

Jaydee schrieb:
If those are the only windows, I would be concerned as well.

As far as I know, that would not be allowed, since a minimum amount of natural lighting is required for every living space. The architect will know the details, but having only an attic knee wall window would be too small.

Just a side note, but my point is likely irrelevant anyway, as hopefully no one would equip a living space with only a knee wall window.

I agree with the others. If there is a gable window, then the light is sufficient.
Personally, I don’t like the low kneewall windows because you simply can’t place anything in front of them – no desk, no dresser, etc. But since you have a standard height up to the bottom edge of the window, I would probably leave it as is and accept that you can’t see outside while standing. I also wouldn’t want to do without blinds if these are bedrooms. In hallways, bathrooms, or offices, you could skip them and make the window a bit higher. However, having windows at different heights on the same side can also look odd.