Rating of the best roof window manufacturers for 2022

Attics - a room that not only allows you to increase residential or non-residential space, but also add zest to it. Particular attention should be paid to skylights.

A bit of history

In Rus', in huts, attics were an obligatory part of the structure. This room was located directly under the roof. In addition to the construction load, as part of the air gap, the attic served as a storage room for seasonal items that are not in demand at the moment. It could be a sleigh and sleigh, spinning wheels, tools, household utensils. In large houses, characterized by large areas, one could find couches and small attic windows in the attics;

The Frenchman Francois Mansard was the first who proposed in the 17th century to use attic space for rent and rent it out to low-income citizens. They were cramped rooms with no ventilation and low ceilings.

World War II was the source of numerous refugees in Europe. Denmark suffered from the flows of immigrants no less than other countries. The Danish engineer Villum Kann Rassmunsen is the first developer of a roof window, which differed significantly in functionality from its modern "brothers". The attic has finally become a living space with fresh air and sunlight.

In modern private houses, attics are equipped with offices or places for quiet rest. Proper glazing plays a key role in the comfort and coziness of such a place.

How to choose the right windows for the attic

When determining the parameters of the glazing, standard selection criteria should be followed.

• The size

The width depends on the pitch of the rafters, the distance between them should be 6 cm more than the frame being made. The height determines the viewing angle, which ideally provides the maximum panorama. The steep slope of the roof limits the opening, and the gentle slope allows you to increase its height.

Attic glazing differs from the facade type by the standardization of dimensions. The manufacturer has from 6 to 12-14 "running" sizes and series of windows stored in warehouses.

A series or class has the same characteristics:

1. material;
2. type of double-glazed window;
3. the location of the opening axis;
4. additional features.

• Material

Common materials are wood and plastic. More often than others, pine wood is used, which provides better thermal insulation.Plastic is known for its ease of maintenance and reasonable price, its service life is up to 50 years.

• opening

If the roof structure allows opening along the central axis, then this option is the most economical, convenient, but takes up part of the free space.

The outer opening along the top frame does not use the space of the room and perfectly meets emergency requirements.
The raised opening axis using a swivel hinge allows the window to be opened outward and ensures maximum airflow.

• Strength

To increase the strength characteristics, vacuum impregnation of wood is used. The presence of such processing of the material should be additionally requested from the manufacturer.

• tightness

The parameter is due to the introduction of additional sealing circuits into the design.

• Fresh air supply

Automatic ventilation flaps are used for micro-ventilation, and also perform the function of protection against cold and energy saving.

• Safety

The topSafe system is used to increase safety during operation and to protect against burglary. This design can withstand loads up to 150 kg.

An additional level of protection are locking handles with a key locking mechanism and anti-vandal double-glazed windows.

• Waterproofing

To protect against moisture, condensation and leakage, the structure is equipped with waterproofing packages from XDK flashing sets.

• Heat saving

The outer structure provides for the presence of a warmed salary.

• fire resistance

Wooden bags require regular fire retardant impregnation every 4 years, PVC does not need such a coating on the material of manufacture.

• Airing and ventilation

Built-in ventilation valves allow you to maintain the level of fresh air in the room and, at the same time, fight against the formation of condensate.

• Care

For comfortable washing and maintenance, the consumer often chooses glazing with double opening designs, provided by friction hinges. The sashes can be left in the tilt position and rotated by 180°.

• Functional

Modern technologies allow equipping the roof window with additional functionality.
Among the most common are:

1. anti shock properties;
2. with remote control;
3. self-cleaning function;
4. automatic blinds;
5. with rain sensor;
6. with an increase in glass thickness in order to increase strength;
7. child safety lock on the handle.

• Quantity

Attic lighting requires a certain number of windows according to the principle - 10 m² of room * 1 glazed m² of roof.

• Accessories

The only rule in this paragraph is to order elements from one manufacturer. Mosquito nets, curtains or blinds may require additional fitting due to poor compatibility.

• Mounting

Installation of skylights, depending on the type of building and the characteristics of the roof, can be a very difficult task. In order to avoid serious mistakes, reliable compliance with all requirements for waterproofing, tightness, free opening and other GOSTs, it is advisable not to perform independent installation. An additional advantage of the installation service is the company's guarantee for several years.

Errors when choosing

In rooms with high humidity - bathrooms and toilets, it is recommended to install plastic windows, or the presence of a polyurethane protective coating on a wooden surface.Installation of structures made of glued beams can lead to the formation of fungus, rotting.

Cold climates require additional structural properties to improve the thermal conductivity:

• increasing the internal distance of the double-glazed window;
• replacement of the inert gas Argon with another filler.

From strong winds and heavy rainfall, additional protection is required in the form of thick, high-strength outer glass. The single-chamber, flimsy design is in danger of breaking and will not provide adequate protection from the cold.

When allocating an attic room for children's rooms, in addition to the locking protection, the installation of a safe internal glass should also be provided.

Glazing of a residential attic space should be distinguished from evacuation windows designed for emergency exits and having large dimensions, as well as from hatch windows without thermal insulation properties.

The best roof window manufacturers

Premium class

Companies that specialize in roof glazing have chain stores and provide installation services.

VELUX

The Danish brand is widely known in Russia and appeared on the domestic market in 1991. VELUX is considered to be the recognized leader in this sector of production.

• free consultation;
• use of the latest production technologies;
• modern equipment;
• use of ecological materials;
• with special energy-saving designs of our own design;
• providing a warm perimeter in the room;
• maintaining a microclimate;
• consistently high quality;
• stylish design;
• purchase in the online store;
• installation service with an official guarantee by means of a BDX installation kit and a qualified employee;
• with summing up hydro- and vapor-isolation;
• installation at the stage of roof construction is allowed;
• the feature of the truss structure is taken into account;
• with high practicality;
• leakage protection;
• with delivery to the place.

• the cost is above average.

https://www.velux.ru

fakro

Since 1991, the company has been developing quite successfully and has come a long way from a family business to European recognition. Steady demand determines the demand for products and customer loyalty.

• natural and artificial materials of manufacture;
• wide variety of sizes;
• the popularity of aluminum structures with special bridges to retain heat;
• quality assurance;
• light weight;
• with impregnation of wood in a vacuum to ensure high strength;
• increased functionality;
• antiseptic processing of the material;
• with a preselect switch, which provides a change in the modes of opening the leaves;
• the presence of two ways of opening;
• with a system of protection against dismantling;
• window class FTP-V P2 Secure with increased burglary resistance;
• window class FTP U8 Thermo;
• class of double-leaf windows FDY-V Duet pro Sky with a raised axis of rotation;
• the presence of lockable handles;
• equipment with anti-vandal double-glazed windows of the P2A series;
• with waterproofing sets of salaries;
• the presence of an insulated outer flashing EHV-AT Thermo;
• tempered outer glass;
• with filling of a double-glazed window with inert gas argon;
• with a lifetime warranty;
• double fixation of the ventilation valve.

• complicated installation.

https://www.fakro.ru

ROTO

The brand has been known to the consumer for over 75 years and is a pioneer in the field of PVC double-glazed windows and the invention of sashes with a top pivot axis. The enterprise consists of 1400 members of the team.ROTO has been focused on providing maximum living comfort in attics and has been doing this since 1935.

• high German quality;
• use of innovative production methods;
• innovative technologies;
• 2 types of material are used - plastic and wood;
• with 3-4 profile chambers in plastic frames for reinforcement and heat saving;
• durability;
• the presence of a vapor barrier apron in the design;
• protected from loss of transparency over time;
• with several seals;
• the presence of an air chamber;
• 1÷4 locking points;
• with aluminum overlays forming chambers for mixing cold and warm air flows to increase thermophysical characteristics;
• 2 positions of micro ventilation by fixing the handle;
• to prevent condensation. Due to the special seal;
• the axis of rotation is located above the structure by 1/3 of the height, which provides additional free space;
• ventilation and opening is carried out with one handle;
• excellent viewing angle;
• price-quality ratio;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation.

• there is no 100% guarantee for fittings in severe frosts.

ROTOQ

The model was created with the cooperation of the company's developers and roofing masters. The ROTOQ series has become a worthy representative of a new generation of roof windows.

• ease of installation;
• high-quality reliable factory assembly;
• a wide range of accessories;
• with high energy efficiency;
• the presence of the upper multifunctional handle;
• economical and durable;
• with easy sash adjustment;
• the presence of a mounting system on plug-ins;
• Tronic electric versions with an intelligent ventilation concept are recommended for hard-to-reach places, on high roofs and can be easily integrated into Smart Home systems.

• expensive.

budget group

rehau

The German company has been known to the world since 1948 for its polymer innovations, successfully used both in the construction sector and in other industries. Rehau roof windows are classics and non-standard designs, innovative solutions, environmental friendliness and enviable German quality.

• four-chamber insulated Thermo Design profile;
• with estimated durability up to 60 years;
• unique French technology Monsari Pierᵀᴹ with the ability to manufacture any shape up to 3.2 meters wide and high;
• without redevelopment of truss systems;
• the possibility of glazing up to 80% of the roof area with blind structures;
• with argon filler in the package;
• the use of tempered glass, triplex;
• with additional waterproofing;
• the presence of 5 varieties - single-leaf, deaf, combined of 2 leaves with top or bottom opening and 3-leaf with the opening of the middle frame;
• made of PVC profile Rehau high frost-resistant characteristics;
• with tinted external windows;
• the presence of a metal salary;
• high rates of heat retention;
• maximum resistance to wind load;
• without moisture transmission;
• possibility of additional equipment with remote control;
• the necessary replacement of the lubricant of the hinges after 5 years;
• the option of installing multifunctional glasses with a barrier from infrared rays and overheating;
• the peculiarity of mounting the outer glass on the sash according to the principle of an overlay with fixation by means of a weather-resistant sealant not only causes an exceptional design, but also increases the area of ​​light flow;
• hardening of external glass from hail, mechanical impact;
• for combination with decor, lamination or coloring according to catalogs is used;
• external salaries can be brass, aluminum or galvanized, stainless steel;
• with a 5-year warranty on installation and construction;
• electric version for maximum comfort with installation of the control unit in any place and self-closing of the window in bad weather, thanks to rain and wind sensors;
• partial electric drive on one part of the combination window is possible;
• individual orders for sizes;
• without changing the structures of the rafters and additional load-bearing supports.

• not suitable for climates with severe frosts.

https://www.rehau.com

Conclusion

Country housing construction has been steadily gaining momentum for several years. For the most comfortable use of the area under the roof, special architectural solutions are required, including glazing. The modern version of the roof window is a lot of light and reliable protection, fashionable design and consistent quality, high energy saving, tightness and waterproofing characteristics.In addition to the classic solutions, you can choose a lot of non-standard options in terms of designs and additional functionality, from remote control to the installation of rain sensors. Since ancient times, the house was considered a reflection of the owner's character, his attitude. The desire to expand the habitable zone of space and make it as comfortable as possible is the choice of a contemporary who keeps pace with the space age.