Velux or Dormer

asbestos1

Everyone, looking for advice on attic conversion of a bungalow. Currently have planning for a bungalow but thinking of resitting planning for a dormer. Architect isn't picking up her phone but I think house isn't making use of sea views. House might be turned a little to the wrong side but understand why as difficult neighbours beside my site and didn't want objections. Maybe I'm just wrong and I will be able to see the sea. I am thinking of converting attic but don't know if I should use dormer or velux windows. I want upstairs attic to make use of sea views so dont know if a number of veluxes or a dormer window would be best to make use of views. Can someone advise ? Dormer might give attitional headspace and I know I cannot walk straight up to a velix as won't be at a 90 degree angle. I don't know !

muffler

Not easy to advise (specifically) without seeing plans and site layout plan (orientation). Generally speaking velux are the best imo. Have a look at the online catalogue and you might be surprised at what you can achieve with their use ... yes, at 90 degrees off the floor also. Dormers are notorious for being cold and drafty due mainly to poor workmanship.

asbestos1

Hi Muffler, cheers for response. Would you have a picture of the 90 degree velux window ? I cannot find anything online and very interested to see. Cheers

Bricriu

Dormer widows, as stated above, are not all all good for conserving heat in room.

They are very difficult to insulate round, and it is nearly impossible to eliminate 'cold-bridging' around them.

Velux triple-glazed (if you have good insulation in roof already) would be better for heating and comfort.

Calahonda52

https://www.fakro.ie/att/LOCAL/catalogs/products/FAKRO_Ahead.pdf

may not work with a normal attic conversion, you may need storey and a half

Dormers are a disaster as discussed.

Go for a warm roof, with insulation between the rafters and outside.

Make sure the insulation can deal with solar gain

google decrement delay

MegamanBoo

Would you go for double glazed Velux for South facing roofs and triple glazed for others?

That seems to be the approach for standard windows.

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304316#Comment_120304316

No.

MegamanBoo

So triple glaze regardless of direction?

MicktheMan

Yep

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304316#Comment_120304316

Not the approach that professionals recommend. Maybe Johnny down the pub recommends that approach!

BenIrishHome

I have a bungalow overlooking the sea. Currently 2 official bedrooms upstairs with just sloped roofs, velux windows.

We're overlooking the sea in WIcklow (pic below) so I want more views and also some more head space so I can split one of these really big rooms into 2 smaller kids rooms (it was like that when we bought it although not original, so we reopened it up into one big room 7 years ago when the kids were small and could share).

Half My neighbours have the old fashioned dormers which I think are crap. Only give you small narrow spaces upstairs which are a bit useless.

I want big modern looking dormers, like a triple window, which give more space and better views. Ideally someting that is prefabricated and could be lifted in, as I want three of these triplexes. I see these from Velux and these from Fakro

They also do those folding ones that create a balcony but I don't want for kids rooms (plus if I was a neighbour i'd object). Also very expensive.

Does anyone know anyone in Ireland doing these? Do they fit with planning/building regs? How does it work with cutting the roof trusses?

hydrus21

The wider your window the higher

Your dormer ridge height.

May have to go for flat roof design.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122939310#Comment_122939310

Those roof lights look more than 1.7m to the eaves! Are they the escape route windows for the official bedrooms?

Anyway, dormer would be the way to go with as much window as possible. You can use them as a seating area within the bedroom to enjoy the views.

Planning Permission required of course.

BenIrishHome

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122940542#Comment_122940542

you’re correct. We have these weird low level fire escape veluxes at the back through a hatch in our eaves space. Ideally would like to get rid of those.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122941711#Comment_122941711

And put the dormers in place there?

Would be a nice job alright.