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.
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.
S
Sebastian797 Sep 2015 13:38To install "standard" windows, you probably need a second full story – anything less is not a solution, but rather a condition.
Otherwise, you’ll be looking at the roof all the time or, when standing, won’t be able to look straight through the window.
Otherwise, you’ll be looking at the roof all the time or, when standing, won’t be able to look straight through the window.
W
Watcher787 Sep 2015 13:52Thank you for the responses.
What would a cross gable cost for you, @Bauexperte, that creates two adjacent rooms, each with a floor-to-ceiling window? Without the cross gable extending into the ground floor. Something like in the attached picture. I’m wondering which option is more cost-effective: building two full stories (which is allowed) or adding a cross gable.

What would a cross gable cost for you, @Bauexperte, that creates two adjacent rooms, each with a floor-to-ceiling window? Without the cross gable extending into the ground floor. Something like in the attached picture. I’m wondering which option is more cost-effective: building two full stories (which is allowed) or adding a cross gable.
B
Bauexperte7 Sep 2015 13:59A dormer with a gable roof is created when the masonry is extended into the attic space, as shown in the illustration.
The illustration shows a flat-roof dormer – we would construct it differently on the side – I can only estimate the width of the floor-to-ceiling elements; a typical width would be 1.01 m (3.3 ft) plus the masonry between the windows, so the total width of the dormer is roughly around 3.50 m (11.5 ft). I believe that, even if transom windows are installed instead of French balconies, you should expect costs of at least about 5,000 EUR.
Edit: sorry – Paderborn is somewhat cheaper; let’s say starting at around 4,500 EUR.
Best regards, Bauexperte
The illustration shows a flat-roof dormer – we would construct it differently on the side – I can only estimate the width of the floor-to-ceiling elements; a typical width would be 1.01 m (3.3 ft) plus the masonry between the windows, so the total width of the dormer is roughly around 3.50 m (11.5 ft). I believe that, even if transom windows are installed instead of French balconies, you should expect costs of at least about 5,000 EUR.
Edit: sorry – Paderborn is somewhat cheaper; let’s say starting at around 4,500 EUR.
Best regards, Bauexperte
W
Watcher787 Sep 2015 14:07Ok, thanks for your assessment... well, we’ll see if Paderborn is cheaper. I have to wait and see what my general contractor says, but unfortunately he is on vacation this week and I can’t request any prices.
What happens if a eaves height of 3m (at a split-level house on a slope) results in a knee wall height of 1.67m (5 feet 6 inches)? This is too low for standard windows but actually too high for roof windows to look out of. How can you cleverly argue with the building authority / planning office to get approval for a higher eaves height (knee wall)?
B
Bauexperte7 Sep 2015 14:54bortel schrieb:
How can one cleverly argue with the building authority to get a higher eaves height (knee wall)? Usually: not at all, if it is a development plan area. In that case, you have a better chance in a §34 area.
Best regards, Bauexperte
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