In the competitive world of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), property developers and housebuilders are constantly seeking innovative ways to maximise the appeal and value of their investments. One often overlooked area with immense potential is the top floor. By incorporating stunning sky windows, you can transform these spaces into highly desirable living areas that tenants will love.
This comprehensive guide will explore the transformative power of sky windows in HMO conversions, focusing on how these architectural marvels can breathe new life into previously underutilised top-floor spaces. We’ll delve into the advantages of sky windows in HMO design, provide guidance on selecting the right options for your project, and offer inspiring design ideas to help you create truly exceptional living spaces.
Whether you’re a seasoned property developer or embarking on your first HMO conversion, this article will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration needed to unlock the full potential of your top floor spaces using high-quality sky windows from Dakea.
The Untapped Potential of Top Floors in HMOs:
Top floors in large houses converted to HMOs often present unique challenges, but with the right approach, they can become the crown jewels of your property portfolio. Here’s why:
- Panoramic Views: Upper floors typically offer the best views, which can be a significant selling point for potential tenants.
- Privacy and Quietness: Top floor rooms are usually the furthest from street-level noise, providing a more peaceful living environment.
- Unique Architectural Features: Sloped ceilings and unusual layouts can be turned into charming, characterful spaces with the right design approach.
- Thermal Advantages: Heat rises, making top floors naturally warmer in winter, which can lead to energy savings.
However, these spaces often suffer from:
- Limited Natural Light: Traditional windows may not provide adequate illumination, especially in loft conversions.
- Poor Ventilation: Inadequate airflow can lead to stuffiness and potential moisture issues.
- Temperature Fluctuations: Without proper insulation and ventilation, top floors can become uncomfortably hot in summer.
This is where sky windows come into play, addressing these challenges while enhancing the overall appeal of your HMO’s top floor.
The Sky Window Advantage in HMO Design:
Incorporating sky windows into your HMO’s top floor design offers numerous benefits:
- Abundant Natural Light: Sky windows flood rooms with daylight, creating bright, airy spaces that feel larger and more inviting. This natural illumination can significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, contributing to energy efficiency.
- Improved Ventilation: Many sky windows, such as Dakea’s centre pivot roof windows, offer excellent ventilation options. This helps maintain a fresh, comfortable environment and can assist in regulating temperature.
- Energy Efficiency: High quality sky windows, like those offered by Dakea, often feature advanced insulation properties. This helps maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, potentially reducing heating and cooling costs.
- Increased Headroom: In loft conversions or rooms with sloped ceilings, sky windows can provide additional headroom and usable space compared to traditional windows.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Sky windows add a touch of modern elegance to any space, creating a focal point and enhancing the overall innovative design aesthetic.
- Potential for Higher Rental Income: The improved living conditions and unique appeal created by sky windows can justify higher rental rates, boosting your return on investment.
Choosing the Right Sky Windows for Your HMO Project:
Selecting the appropriate sky windows for your HMO conversion is crucial. Here are key factors to consider:
Roof Type:
- Pitched Roof: Dakea offers a range of pitched roof windows, including our popular centre pivot options, ideal for most standard roof pitches.
- Flat Roof: For modern buildings or extensions with flat roofs, Dakea’s flat roof windows provide excellent solutions.
Opening Mechanism:
- Centre Pivot: These windows rotate from a central point, ideal for easy cleaning and operation.
- High pivot: Opening outwards from towards the top, these provide a near-unobstructed view and are great for loft conversions.
- Side-hung: Whether you’d like left or right opening, side-hung windows are a great way to let in plenty of ventilation.
- Manual vs Electric: Consider electric options for hard-to-reach windows or for added convenience.
Glazing Options:
Dakea offers various glazing options to suit different needs:
- Standard double glazing for good insulation
- Triple glazing for maximum energy efficiency
- Noise reduction glazing for urban settings
- Safety glass for skylights or low-placed windows
Energy Efficiency:
Consider U-values (heat loss) and solar gain properties to ensure optimal thermal performance.
Additional Features:
- Solar-powered options for eco-friendly operation
- Integrated blinds for light control and privacy
- Rain sensors for automatic closing in wet weather
Conservation Requirements:
If your HMO is in a conservation area, Dakea offers conservation roof windows designed to meet stringent planning requirements while providing modern performance.
Design Inspiration for Top Floor HMOs with Sky Windows:
Loft Living Rooms:
Transform attic spaces into stunning living areas by installing multiple sky windows. Combine different sizes and placements to create a dynamic, light-filled space. Use Dakea’s centre pivot windows for easy operation and cleaning.
Skylit Bedrooms:
Create cosy yet bright bedrooms by placing sky windows above the bed area. Opt for Dakea’s windows with integrated blinds for light control and privacy, acting like shutters for the light when fully closed.
Luxurious Bathrooms:
Install a large skylight or multiple smaller windows to flood a bathroom with natural light.
Home Office:
Carve out a productive workspace by placing a desk under a sky window. It’s scientifically proven that natural light can significantly boost productivity, so integrating a rooflight into your workspace could do wonders for your career.
Open Plan Kitchen-Diners:
For larger top-floor spaces, create an open-plan kitchen-diner bathed in natural light from strategically placed sky windows.
Reading Corner:
Design cosy reading nooks under sloped ceilings, illuminated by well-placed sky windows.
Yoga or Exercise Spaces:
Transform unused attic space into a tranquil exercise area, using sky windows to create a connection with the outdoors.
Sky Windows from Dakea
Whether you opt for roof windows or skylights, you’re promised a high quality product at an affordable price with Dakea.
Pitched Roof Windows
We have over 15 beautiful styles of pitched roofs, with some made from wood, some uPVC, some with manual opening, some remote-controlled… you get the idea, there’s an option for everyone!
An example of this is the Ultima Energy Pitched Roof Window.
With triple-pane glass insulation, these windows are exceptional when it comes to thermal insulation and blocking exterior noise.
Our wooden version achieves exceptional U Values of 0.99 and has a centre pivot making it an incredibly convenient, high performance choice.
Flat Roof Windows
At Dakea, our flat roofs are available either fixed to the pane, or with electronic operation.
Our Azure Electric Flat Roof is one of the most advanced on the market, including a rain sensor to ensure that it automatically closes in bad weather.
The base is made from PVC, to ensure it’s easy to maintain and clean, whilst also increasing energy savings and noise reduction.
Skylights
Our skylights are different from pitched roof and flat roof lights, as they are not suitable for an occupied space – due to their lesser insulation properties.
Instead, they’re perfect for garages, sheds, and loft spaces.
Dakea’s skylights can open to let in fresh air, ensuring unoccupied areas of the home are both ventilated and receiving natural light.
About Dakea
Since we were launched in 2012, it’s been our aim to provide high quality roof windows at affordable prices.
Each product of ours is backed by a 20-year guarantee, and we have sustainability at the heart of all we do.
This is testified by the fact that we only use wood sourced from sustainable forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
To get in touch, you can contact our friendly team at (+44) 20 3970 5080.
