Product category:
Roofing and Roofllights
News Release from: Fakro GB | Subject: What to look for in a roof window
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 October 2006
What to look for in a roof window
Fakro GB discuss considerations for consumer when selecting a roof window.
Despite the trend in favour of using loft space as an additional room, little attention has been focussed on product quality, media campaigns having concentrated on developing brand awareness and the concept of using wasted floor space Needs however vary, with a number points to consider
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 7 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Fakro roof windows for low pitch roofs
Fakro FTP-V centre pivot roof windows have been used in an unusual office redevelopment in North Wales.
Roof window trend towards an L-shape
With greater use of roof windows for their contribution to interior design, there has been a marked trend towards use of L-shaped windows.
Point of opening and number of secure, open positions are key factors affecting window choice.
Top opening is popular but can be a nuisance if several windows are used.
A centre pivot, by contrast, enables the pane to be pivoted through 180deg to clean the outer surface from within the room, if self-cleaning glass is not used.
Further reading
New automatic vent for Fakro roof windows.
With the increasing demand for more thermally efficient buildings, Fakro is changing the air inlet used in all its standard roof windows to a new, automatic vent.
Roof window chosen for BRE Demonstration House.
A bespoke Fakro FPP preSelect timber roof window has been used in Osborne Homes' Demonstration House at the BRE Innovations Centre.
A window such as the FPP from Fakro provides both options at the flick of a switch and is the first roof window to do so.
Ask which wood the window is made from, and what guarantee is supplied with it.
Roof windows are subjected to the worst of the elements and so wood quality and methods employed to protect it are critical.
Fakro windows are made using high quality pine from sustainable plantations, vacuum impregnated and given a double coating of a clear acrylic lacquer.
When assessing quality, look for knots in the wood as these tend to shrink quite quickly.
Fakro windows are guaranteed to be knot-free and are protected using polyester coated aluminium, which looks good and is highly weather and UV resistant.
Don't, however, assume that this is the case with even the best known windows.
Ventilation flaps should be waterproof, even if left open during rainy weather.
Thermal performance, often taken for granted, can also vary dramatically.
Quality of construction, gas used between panes, heat reflective coating on the inside face of panes and the number of seals in the window all add to performance.
Air inlet channels should also be acoustically effective, but what acoustic performance does the window need to provide?.
Triple glazing, for example, can provide a noise reduction factor up to 40 Decibels.
Consider the overall glazing area too, rather than just the window size.
Having the window vent in the frame enlarges the glazing area by up to10% compared to those with vents in the usual position at the top.
Finally, a fire rating and accreditation provided by such organisations as the BBA may be hard to find as many window manufacturers have felt it unnecessary to seek such levels of quality assurance.
In a recent survey, over 80% of those asked were unaware of this.
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