Brighten your attic with rooftop windows

By Pocyline Karani

For majority of people, the loft is nothing but wasted, old, dark and uninviting space where water storage tanks share space with dangerous live electricity cables. It is also the ideal hiding place for rodents. Often, when a fundi goes up the ceiling to carry out repairs, he or she will request the main power supply be switched off for his or her safety.

Opening a rooftop window brings light into an attic. Photos: martin mukangu/Standard: courtesy: Classic Mouldings ltd

Interestingly, a home’s attic space may account for up to 30 per cent of the entire house. Such space should not be left to waste and you could utilise it effectively by converting it into a haven of comfort. Alternatively, you could use the space by turning it into an extra bedroom, a home office or even a family lounge. And if you are packed to the rafters, the attic is an ideal storage place to de-clutter the home. Additionally, increasing floor area is the best way to increase the resale value of the house.

Achieving this transformation is simple. Just think rooftop windows, which are not an old phenomenon in the market. Considering the ever-escalating cost of living space, people have been forced to be creative and make use of all available space in the home.

Rooftop windows not only allow lighting of the attic but they also enable you convert the roof into living space. In addition, it ensures ventilation of a room.

More alluring is the fact that it provides a view of the outside surroundings while visually enlarging the space in the attic.

Loft ladders are a better and easier way to the attic.

Rooftop windows are increasingly being used in modern buildings and houses because people can bask while still indoors and soak up the sun’s warmth without hurting the skin. This is because the special coating on the windows (a low emission silver-oxide) reflects the sun’s rays.

Externally, the timber components have aluminium sections, which are covered with ultra-violet (UV) and weather-resistant coating.

Rooftop windows offer excellent energy saving characteristics because all windows are double-glazed. The glass is also tough hence eliminating the danger of shattering and injuring those below. Rooftop windows are also more durable and resistant to hailstones.

An automatic air vent ensures the room is properly aired, supplying an optimum amount of air into the room and keeping it cool during hot seasons and warm when it is cold.

Starting Point

First, ensure the foundation can support extra weight. You will also require the services of a qualified roof-laying expert because the windows cannot be laid the same way tiles are placed one on top of the other.

Attic ladders can neatly fold in four sections into the ceiling.

Determine what type of windows you want. There are many conditions determining the choice of optimum roof window type. They include roof pitch, height of window installation, wall height, height and type of room and roof window purpose.

The windows also come in various types including pivot windows that open only from a central pivot method and can be rotated 180 degrees. This enables easy cleaning of the outer pane.

Top-hung and window-pivot windows are good for a wide-view. Side-hung escape windows allow for safe and easy access to the roof, also acting as an escape route.

Getting there

The loft ladder is a better and easier way to the attic living space compared to constructing a stairway. Attic ladders can neatly fold in four sections into the ceiling, hence providing easy and safe access the attic.