Hello everyone,
We are planning to convert our attic and create two children's bedrooms. In addition to two dormer windows with standard glazing, three skylights are also planned. My questions specifically concern these skylights. We are considering the following:
A few additional details:
Thank you very much for your advice!
We are planning to convert our attic and create two children's bedrooms. In addition to two dormer windows with standard glazing, three skylights are also planned. My questions specifically concern these skylights. We are considering the following:
- Double or triple glazing?
- Which manufacturer (any recommendations)?
- What type of blackout/heat protection to use (internal/external/shutters)?
A few additional details:
- House and planned conversion to KfW-55 standard
- Bungalow with a relatively low-pitched roof (25°)
- The skylights in question all face west
Thank you very much for your advice!
D
Doc.Schnaggls26 May 2015 12:22Hello,
Personally, we had very good experiences with Velux roof windows in our previous apartment.
However, these were only double-glazed (built in 2001). For shading and heat protection, we used internal thermal blinds, also from Velux, and were very satisfied with them.
My sister, on the other hand, equipped her roof windows with roller shutters – her most frequent visitor since then has been the roller shutter technician…
When building our house in 2014–2015, we completely avoided roof windows because:
- Triple-glazed roof windows are very heavy, so electric operation is recommended. This significantly increases the cost.
- Roof windows are vulnerable to hail damage.
Therefore, I would recommend considering whether you really want double-hung windows (as attractive as they are) or if you might be able to compensate with floor-to-ceiling elements in the dormers or gable ends.
Best regards,
Dirk
Personally, we had very good experiences with Velux roof windows in our previous apartment.
However, these were only double-glazed (built in 2001). For shading and heat protection, we used internal thermal blinds, also from Velux, and were very satisfied with them.
My sister, on the other hand, equipped her roof windows with roller shutters – her most frequent visitor since then has been the roller shutter technician…
When building our house in 2014–2015, we completely avoided roof windows because:
- Triple-glazed roof windows are very heavy, so electric operation is recommended. This significantly increases the cost.
- Roof windows are vulnerable to hail damage.
Therefore, I would recommend considering whether you really want double-hung windows (as attractive as they are) or if you might be able to compensate with floor-to-ceiling elements in the dormers or gable ends.
Best regards,
Dirk
In my opinion, hail is not a problem for roof windows. At my parents’ house, we haven’t had any issues with it in 40 years, at least with double glazing. Originally, wooden windows were installed, but after some time they started to rot and were replaced with plastic windows. At the same time, electric external shutters were installed. This was almost 10 years ago now, and since the shutters are made of plastic, theoretically, some slats could break during heavy hailstorms if the shutters are down. So far, hail has mostly occurred during the day, and I guess it also depends on the location how often this happens.
One issue with Velux shutters is that they tend to freeze quite quickly in winter, making them immovable. However, they have not broken yet; the motor immediately stops if the resistance becomes too high.
One issue with Velux shutters is that they tend to freeze quite quickly in winter, making them immovable. However, they have not broken yet; the motor immediately stops if the resistance becomes too high.
Thank you for your responses!
At the moment, we are also leaning towards Velux with double glazing.
We have read about so many problems with roller shutters that we would prefer to leave them out. Not to mention that these things are almost as expensive as the window itself. Your comments reinforce our opinion.
@Doc.Schnaggls: What kind of internal thermal blinds did you use? I checked the Velux website, and their blackout blinds seem to make the most sense to me. However, there is no mention of heat protection with those. Did you use something similar or something completely different?
At the moment, we are also leaning towards Velux with double glazing.
We have read about so many problems with roller shutters that we would prefer to leave them out. Not to mention that these things are almost as expensive as the window itself. Your comments reinforce our opinion.
@Doc.Schnaggls: What kind of internal thermal blinds did you use? I checked the Velux website, and their blackout blinds seem to make the most sense to me. However, there is no mention of heat protection with those. Did you use something similar or something completely different?
D
Doc.Schnaggls27 May 2015 10:38Hello,
Hmm, I just searched again on the Velux website but didn’t really find anything useful.
From the description, the blackout blinds seem to be the closest to our blinds, but I couldn’t find any information about the thermal component.
The back of our blinds was covered with a kind of aluminum foil that reflected sunlight.
Maybe someone at Velux can provide you with information directly. We bought and installed our blinds in 2001.
Best regards,
Dirk
Hmm, I just searched again on the Velux website but didn’t really find anything useful.
From the description, the blackout blinds seem to be the closest to our blinds, but I couldn’t find any information about the thermal component.
The back of our blinds was covered with a kind of aluminum foil that reflected sunlight.
Maybe someone at Velux can provide you with information directly. We bought and installed our blinds in 2001.
Best regards,
Dirk
I installed roller shutters on the double casement windows in our old apartment myself and wouldn’t want to be without them. They significantly reduce the room’s overheating and also help with noise from rain, especially if the bedrooms are located there.
However, it is true that these shutters can freeze shut in winter and then cannot be opened. It stays dark in that case. This might be less relevant in the northwest (NW).
However, it is true that these shutters can freeze shut in winter and then cannot be opened. It stays dark in that case. This might be less relevant in the northwest (NW).
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