Superstructures of various shapes over the roof or built into it flat windows are called auditory. In ancient times this kind of attic window became known as lyukarnaya, and even today many people call it that way.
In our time, a lavatory or dormer window is mainly seen as a stylish and unusual decorative detail of the roof of the house. However, many forget that, in addition to its beauty, this roofing element performs many practical tasks. In this article, "The House of Dreams" will tell about the history of the lucarne, its varieties and characteristics.
The dormer window is lushy
What is lykarna and when it appeared
It is customary to call a superstructure over the ramp of the attic roof with a window on the facade. This design is also called the "auditory" or attic window. Lucerne became the hallmark of the architectural style dominating the turn of the late Gothic and early Renaissance. In this era, the attic window was only a beautiful decorative element and the only possibility of airing the attic of the building.
Not infrequently the façade of the trumpet was decorated with rich stucco molding, gilding and mosaic masonry. In many European countries it was on it that the distinctive house signs were installed. In England, closer to the XVI century, the dormer window became an obligatory component of the house of rich people. And in France, it was customary to equip castles and palaces with this roofing element.
History of the dormer in the roof
Ljukarna in the roof of the
Perhaps the window-lyukarna would remain only a decorative element, giving the building a pretentiousness and pretentiousness, but gradually the population of Europe began to increase, which caused the need for additional living space. On the basis of the arisen need, the authorities decided to make the attic premises residential, and the window opening in the roof was the only way to light and air the rooms under the roof. And even in our time, attic floors are often used as living quarters, so it is not only an opportunity to bring notes of classical styles to your house, but also an important functional element.
Dormer window with a balcony photo
Inclined dormer window
Types of dormer windows
The types and characteristics of the louvered rooms vary according to the structural features of the roof, as well as the shape of the window. Most often, the following classification of dormer windows:
- With a flat roof .The slope of the roof in this case varies from 5 to 15 degrees. The design features of the hatch with a flat roof allow maximum lighting and airing the room. However, for comfortable operation, such a dormer window must necessarily be equipped with a drainage system.
- With single-deck roof .In this case, the angle of the roof is at least 15 degrees. Depending on the decorative tasks, the shape of the roof can be either rectangular or trapezoidal.
- With gable roof .The dormer window with a gable roof allows to maximize the space of the attic floor, in connection with which, this kind of lukarni is most often installed in residential premises.
- With hipped roof .This type of dormer windows is equipped with a gable roof, which allows you to maximize the size of the useful space.
- Triangular, round and semicircular windows .As a rule, windows of an unusual geometric shape are used to give the structure a certain style. They perfectly fit into the common roof, interestingly changing its shape.
Overhang over the roof of the lavatory
Characteristics of the interior
Nowadays the attic window is most often installed either during the reconstruction of old buildings or for the purpose of maximizing the use of the attic floor. In the second case, when designing the hatch, it is very important to take into account the main functional tasks - the possibility of expanding the space, additional lighting and comfortable airing.
The size and shape of the dormer window is determined depending on the structural features of the roof. In addition, even at the design stage it is important to determine the place where the hatch will be located, because its functionality largely depends on it.
Lucarna in the roof of the photo
For example, the hatch houses located in the end of the attic walls are characterized by high convenience of operation, however, it is not worthwhile to consider them as a source of additional lighting.
Windows located vertically, it is recommended to mount at very low roofs, when due to a small angle of inclination they literally hang over the house. Vertical dormer window allows to increase the area of the attic and the degree of illumination. However, the design features of this turret change the geometry of the roof, which complicates the process of clearing snow and disturbs the air exchange in the room. To reduce these problems, together with the window, it is necessary to install a drainage system. Vertical window lakarna gives the building some cumbersomeness and pomposity, so most often they are erected on large country houses. But the dormer windows of such a plan quite harmoniously fit literally into any architectural style.
Vertical lavatory
Another type of vertical lavatory is the so-called "recessed" dormer windows. Their difference from the dormer window of the previous type is manifested only in the fact that the window leaf itself is mounted deep into the structure."Recessed" lyukarni most convenient to use in those cases where it is necessary to equip the exit to the terrace or balcony. However, they practically do not give additional illumination.
Types of dormer windows
Types of louver windows for the roof
The most popular attic window is an incandescent type. The peculiarity of this design is that the angle of the window repeats the angle of inclination of the roof, due to which the illumination of the attic rooms increases by an average of 50%.Since in this case the lucarne appears as an integral part of the roof, it does not destroy the geometry of the roof and does not introduce disharmony into its shape. However, it must be taken into account that the window in the roof is almost impossible to install independently, because its installation should include waterproofing, carrying out protective procedures, as well as warming. In addition, you should not have a dormer on the sunny side of the house, because in this case the illumination will be too bright.
Lucarna in the roof with a balcony
Skylight photo
Regardless of the types and shapes, the lakarn is always the original decoration of the house. However, it is extremely important that this design harmoniously fit into the style and color of the roof, creating with it a whole ensemble.
