You could say that at first glance they are all very similar. However, if we take a closer look, it turns out that they hide a lot of secrets... Let's take a closer look at roof windows and check what to pay attention to when choosing them.
Let's start with the material making up the window's structure. Most often we can choose between PVC (plastic) and traditional wood, which is much more frequently used in roof joinery.
- When deciding on wood, it is worth checking the technology of its processing. At OKPOL, we rely on glued laminated raw material, which has been reliably impregnated. This gives us absolute certainty that the structure will not be subjected to the impact of extreme weather conditions, and as a consequence it will simply not deform," explains Grzegorz Złotecki, Chief Operating Officer at OKPOL.
With the issue of the material behind us, it is time to move on to the next stage: usability.
**One of the most important issues before the purchase is to determine what type of roof windows will work best for us. Here you will be faced with a choice of designs including..: pivot, tilt and slide and high-sliding. They differ in construction and the way they open, and therefore also in price.
The pivot type is the simplest and most popular solution on the market. However, it will not be optimal in rooms with a low knee wall, where windows are mounted relatively low. Half of the sash overlaps the inside of the loft when opening, which makes it easy to knock against it. In order to prevent the windows from "stepping on your head", it is worth considering tilt and slide models, in which the sash always remains outside the roof slope. The situation with high-sliding windows is similarly comfortable.
- In this case, the pivot axis is usually located at 3/4 of the frame profile height, so that only a small part of it slides into the loft. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that all three constructions allow the sash to be completely rotated by 180 degrees, which is crucial, if only for the safe and convenient cleaning of glass panes," adds Grzegorz Złotecki.
The product we are planning to buy is best tested at the point of sale to see which opening method suits us best. And after examining the tangible functionality, it is time to look at the specifications.
Key parameters What is more important: Uw or Ug? Double or triple glazing? These are questions that are bound to come up when browsing through catalogues. Let's start with the basics. One of the most important parameters is the overall heat transfer coefficient of the window - Uw. It tells us to what extent the construction will protect the house against heat loss. The principle is simple: the lower this parameter is, the better the level of insulation. Ug, on the other hand, is the heat transfer coefficient for the glazing itself.
- If you want highly energy-efficient products, you need to choose windows with a low Uw coefficient, for example around 0.7 - 0.9 W/m²K. However, that is not all. In order for a window to be truly 'warm', it must have a properly selected glazing package with a low Ug parameter_ - emphasises the OKPOL Operations Director. - It is best to opt for a triple-glazing package filled with a noble gas such as argon or krypton in the space between the panes. This well-considered purchase will quickly result in noticeable savings in the energy required to heat the attic during the winter season.
Of course, the parameters and method of opening are not all the secrets of roof windows. Depending on the model, we may encounter additional elements, such as ventilators ensuring proper air circulation, handles with a key protecting against unwanted opening, or special coatings on the panes - self-cleaning and anti-scratch (limiting water vapour condensation).
Fortunately, we don't need to know about all the technical innovations, but we certainly do about one thing: pinpointing our needs. Without this, even the most expensive windows may simply prove impractical in our dream home.
Further information can be found at: [http://infobudownictwo.pl/budowa-i-remont/okna-drzwi/sekrety-okien-dachowych/#comments](http://infobudownictwo.