ᐅ Knee wall height, two-story windows, eaves side

Hello everyone.

How high does a knee wall need to be at minimum to install standard windows on the eaves side of the upper floor (gable roof)?

Thank you in advance.

It depends on whether the height should be the same as a standard window and how deep the roof overhang is. It’s no use if you end up looking directly at the underside of the roof from the window.

We stopped at a knee wall height of 1.50 m (5 feet). That would have resulted in very narrow windows or windows set quite low. I think from 1.80 to 2.0 m (6 to 6.5 feet) you can definitely install proper windows there.

Thank you for the response. We want to install proper windows if at all possible. Does anyone have more detailed information?

We are currently dealing with this topic as well. We have a knee wall height of approximately 1.6 m (5 feet 3 inches). This is too low for standard windows, but having only roof windows everywhere is not desirable, and the costs for exterior roller shutters are considerable.

@Bauexperte can you please answer the previous question? You should be familiar with it, right?

Watcher78 schrieb:
@Bauexperte can you answer the preliminary question? You should be familiar with it, right?

At least I hope so

There are three options:

01. either build dormer windows and install floor-to-ceiling window units within them
02. everything above 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) window height + 0.30 m (1 ft) allowance for roller shutter box => totaling 2.30 m (7 ft 7 in). But in that case, you might as well build a two-story house
03. or use window units that extend over the knee wall like the roof covering. Then the knee wall height is almost irrelevant

Edit: I have to correct myself; there are actually 4 options. You can also install a "retractable balcony," provided it is approved according to the local building regulations/planning permission.

Best regards, Bauexperte