Dormer or roof window in the attic – what to choose?

The attic requires adequate lighting. Regardless of whether you plan to arrange a bedroom, living room or office on it, a window cannot be missing on it. Thanks to it, you will provide yourself with natural lighting of the interior and thus increase the functionality of the room. You can choose a dormer or a roof window. In order to apply the best solution, you need to define your expectations regarding both the comfort of use and the appearance of the body of the house.

Dormer, i.e. a window in the superstructure

They are installed vertically, i.e. in the same way as other windows in the building, on the ground floor or on the first floor. A special superstructure should be made, which looks impressive especially in houses with classic architecture. They can have different sizes, which should be taken into account when analyzing the area of the attic. However, larger dormers always work better, they not only look better, but also illuminate the interior much more effectively.

Dormers cannot be used for every building, it depends on the zoning plan. It is a document that, for m.in, provides information about the required architecture in a given area. It may turn out that we will have to give up the dormer and choose roof windows. However, if you particularly care about this solution, read the regulations already at the stage of choosing a plot.

In addition, it is clear from the regulations that in rooms where people are present, the window area must be 1/8 of the floor area. This also applies to adapted attics. The floor area in the attic is measured only in the area where the roof is placed at a height of 1.9 m. A dormer is also a more expensive option than a roof window because it requires more complicated construction work. The superstructure needs to be insulated and protected against moisture. At the same time, however, a dormer protects better against the cold coming from the outside than a roof window. It is also more resistant to damage.

Roof window for optimal illumination

An alternative to a dormer is a roof window, which is installed at the same angle as the roof. It is a cheaper option and also requires less complicated work. We can install one window or several next to each other. A big advantage of roof windows is better interior lighting than dormers. They provide light to every zone of the room. However, it should be remembered that the window must be installed in an easily accessible place so that it can be operated without any problems – opening and closing. It is also worth matching them to the roof structure. The best window will be one whose width is smaller than the distance between the rafters of the roof. Roof windows usually consist of two panes. This has an impact on the increased durability of the window. At the same time, however, it is more vulnerable to damage than a dormer. In addition, it promotes faster heating of the room, which is conditioned by its angle of inclination and exposure to the sun. Therefore, it is worth using external roller shutters, which will limit the inflow of sunlight into the building and thus increase the energy balance of the building.

What is more, the roof window is exposed to gusts of wind and precipitation (hail is particularly dangerous for it). This requires the installation of a window with high stability, a strong structure and preferably with a 2- or even 3-pane package. You also need to think about ventilation to avoid opening the window frequently. Therefore, a window integrated with a ventilator will work well.

So what will work better in the attic: a dormer or a roof window? When choosing between these two solutions, you need to take into account both your individual expectations as well as the legal conditions and capabilities of the building. It is best to make a dormer at the construction stage of the building, roof windows can be installed later. Undoubtedly, the usability of the dormer and roof window is also important. After all, using the attic should be comfortable and provide the same comfort as the part of the house on the ground floor or first floor.

Read also: How to arrange a comfortable attic.