How to decorate dormer windows

The attic is a superstructure of a residential top floor under the roof itself. Because of its location, this room has a lot of structural features. All these features leave an imprint not only on the overall arrangement of the attic, but also on the decor of its windows.

The design features of the attic

Since the attic is located directly under the roof itself, its design has many features thatdirectly affect the windows themselves. First of all, it is a slope, which determines the shape of the room. In a house with a gable roof, the attic has one wall at an angle, in a house with a gable roof - two. The windows in this case are constructed in the very slope, they will be inclined. In the second variant, the windows are made in the straight frontal part of the room, but most often they have an irregular shape. All these nuances are reflected in the subsequent design of the window.

When decorating a room, the attic takes into account the fact of its incorrect shape. Here, straight lines and classical solutions are inappropriate. Optimal for this room is suitable for irregular and uneven lines in all elements of the decor. Dormer windows are decorated with cornices, but also a lot of additional elements that will be described below.

Types of attic windows

Due to the unusual shape of the room, the roof windows in the design and installation process require a special approach. But the advantage in this situation is that it is possible to experiment with shapes, sizes and modifications.

The dormer can create a unique stylish image in the room that will transform it completely. The standard location of the window is at an angle to the wall directly in the plane of the roof. Height from the floor is chosen arbitrarily and does not have certain precise standards. The same applies to the number of structural elements of windows, they are made arbitrarily many, any arbitrary form and method of opening. In general, the roof windows are divided into the following groups:

• Classic windows in the attic roof. This construction is mounted directly in the ramp. There are windows in this version only at an angle, at any convenient height. The area and structure are chosen arbitrarily.

• Vertical skylights. Mounted in the slope of the roof, but not under a slope, but in an upright position. This is done with the help of a visor, which is covered on the roof by a window. Such a visor seems to grow out of the slope of the roof by a square box. On the inside, the window will have a very deep escarpment. The amount of light passing through such a window is much less than through ordinary inclined constructions, but it gives ample opportunities in decor. Vertical mansard windows have a variety of sizes, in some cases they are transformed into a small balcony.

• Facade or cornice window. If we consider from the point of view of technical terminology, then this window is not an attic window, since its installation is done according to the classical type. Such windows are installed in the wall under the roof, they are located at a right angle and are used as panoramic. The construction starts from the floor itself or at a different height. The disadvantage of the cornice window is that, due to the structural features of the room, it does not allow a large amount of light to flow into it. Benefits - the ability to use the window as a classic, arrange flowers on the windowsill and watch through it for everything that happens on the street. Often the front windows are balcony blocks with a door that lead to an open veranda or balcony. An interesting design solution is the direct exit from the attic through the front door. In this case, the balcony is equipped with an external staircase leading to the street. The possibility of installing such a structure is due to the floor of the building.

• Transforming into balcony windows. An interesting design, which, thanks to its clever system of opening and closing, easily turn into a balcony. In this case, the leaf forms a small area or does without it. A very convenient solution that helps to adjust the room for different seasons and weather conditions. In the summer season, when a large influx of air into the room is required, the windows are transformed into a balcony and provide it. In the winter season, the whole construction is tightly closed and provides heat insulation of the attic. Another advantage of this design - it does not require seasonal warming, as in the case with a conventional balcony.

• Light tunnel. If in some attic rooms it is impossible to install a full window, then a light tunnel will come to the rescue. Most often, this method of conducting light in the attic resorted to if the roof structure does not allow the installation of other windows. For example, if there is a thick layer between the attic ceiling and the roof covering from the technical space, floors and beams, which can not be dismantled. The light tunnel looks like an ordinary pipe, which comes to the roof with one end, and the other into the room. To increase the light flow, the pipe is equipped with a diffusing bubble.

• Combined windows. If the structural features of the room do not allow the installation of more windows, the output will be an increase in the size of the existing ones. In this case, combine the cornice window with the facade window. The window is extended until the end of the roof slope and in this place is supplemented with a small facade insert. Such a design will let in the room more light and, moreover, quite unusually complement the interior. The drawback of such a design is that you will have to tinker with the design. Demonstrates such mansard windows below.

Features of the roof windows

Mansard windows differ from the usual very much. First of all, this is the very shape of the window, which is rarely rectangular and often has a lot of wings. Secondly, in this part of the house the openings are often at an angle. Thirdly, the windows on the roof have a special opening and closing system, which corresponds to the function they perform. The window frame rotates, reclines or performs both of these actions at once. The opening mechanism is equipped with door closers and latches, which keep the inclined frame open. Some designs allow you to unfold the frame 360 ​​degrees without removing it from the hinges.

Imprint on the design of dormer windows and features of the premises. Since it is directly under the open sky, the windows let in more light, and with it heat. Because the windows on the roof are especially carefully protected, so as not to miss the heat in the summer. This protection is expressed in the particular density of the coating that is used for curtains. All the structures are equipped with a system that allows them to be removed, passing light into the room, or lowering them back.

Due to the fact that the roof windows are at an angle, the usual systems of curtains and rolls are not applicable for them. For this type of window special constructions are produced which have a lot of different fasteners and supports, which help to keep the blind in the right position relative to the space. Or, on the attic windows, curtains are set up for self-made, and all the fastener systems are bought and equipped independently.

Decoration of the dormer window

The most simple and standard options for the design of the attic window are blinds or curtains. Applicable in this case, the options and styles there are many. As for the window itself, when designing, first of all you should determine whether it is necessary for protection from the sun, breaking or as a decorative element. As a protection against the sun, external shutters or shutters are the best option. These structures are installed inside, but in this case the glass itself will warm up, and with it the entire room.

External shutters act as a thermal screen and in the cold season, they do not release heat from the room. Another advantage of rolls is the protection of the window from mechanical damage and noise insulation of the attic. The downside is that by performing protective functions, they are not an element of decor.

Another option for sun protection is the marquise. This is a grid of thin material that passes light, but at the same time it dissipates it, reducing the heat entering the room. Perform and the additional role of mosquito nets, if installed as an additional screen. When you open the window, the marquis remains in place, and if there is a need, it is easily folded and retracted.

An alternative design for skylights - internal shutters of various types and designs. By designing the attic window with your own hands, it is possible to make and install shutters of any shape and configuration. The only nuance that needs to be considered is the installation of fastening for the doors on sloping windows. For example, to install the usual hooks or bolts, which will keep the sash against the wall and prevent them from hanging down.

Skylights are improved with overlays - additional sections of the window. For example, in the rectangular opening an additional semicircular upper section is made, which gives the window a mysterious view of the medieval loophole. The overlays are made deaf or open, in this case they act as a vent for ventilating the room in bad weather. The best decorative elements for the already finished window are curtains and blinds.

Jalousie for dormer windows

Blinds are the easiest to install and operate in the style of dormer windows. Due to their design, they are suitable for inclined structures, for openings of simple shape or complex. The main advantage of this design is that it is attached directly to the frame and does not interfere with opening the windows in any position. This is especially true for those types of windows that do not open in the standard version, but unfold or rotate. The second important advantage is the ability to easily adjust the amount of air entering the room.

For windows in the attic are suitable as a classic blinds, and plisse. This design is an accordion that is collected from below, above or simultaneously in two directions. For windows of non-standard shape pleated are simply irreplaceable, as they are manufactured in a variety of configurations.

The third type of blinds - roller blinds. By design, they are similar to classic blinds, only their base is not made from dense horizontal or vertical slats, but from a single piece of fabric.

Roller blinds are a cross between conventional curtains and classic blinds. For inclined roof windows, roller blinds are fixed throughout the entire height of the window, so there is no need to use special fasteners to hold the structure in the desired position. Such a fastening system does not leave gaps on the sides of the closed curtains. When you open the curtain rolls into a tight tube at the top of the window, the opening level is adjusted manually. In the folded state, the roller blind on the window is almost invisible.

Curtains for the dormer window

Conventional curtains for the window in the attic are not the most optimal and convenient option. Because of the design features of these windows to install curtains on them is quite problematic. But if the curtains are chosen as the decor, then they are installed using some tricks.

1. The first option for installing curtains on the attic window is the use of two cornices. This is especially true for sloping windows. One cornice serves as a holder and fastened at the top of the window. The second curtain rod is necessary for keeping the curtain in the desired position, it does not allow it to fall vertically downwards. The location of the second cornice is selected individually, depending on the design and size of the window. For example, if it is an inclined window that ends near the beginning of a straight wall, it is optimal to place a second cornice on the corner where the sloping wall goes straight. This arrangement will create a composition along the inclined window and form beautiful folds at the bottom. You should consider the distance between the eaves and the wall, it should be enough to tighten the curtain tight and not let it slip out of the mount.
2. Another variant of the arrangement of the curtains on the two cornices is the holes. At the level of the second eaves in the fabric make holes through which the curtain is threaded on the cornice. This design allows you to easily move the shade and fix it in the desired position. If the window is small in size, then the cornice is placed at the very bottom and the curtain is tightened between the two fasteners tight enough so that it does not hang down. To fix the fabric on the cornice, also use Velcro that allow you to create any, even the most complex compositions.

To keep the curtains securely on the second cornice and not slip, they are fastened with eyelets, sticks or knotted.

Clamps and eyelets - this is not just a fastener, but also an element of decor, which is selected based on the overall composition of the curtains. For high-mounted windows, the installation of a mechanized system that manages both the window itself and its decor elements is relevant.

As for fabric curtains for dormer windows, then there are no specific rules here. Place dense heavy fabrics or light tulle curtains. The only recommendation for selecting curtains is to pay attention to the material with a foil coating, which will keep the heat from sunlight.