Instructions to install a window..... please :)

[pikey]

I have a wall that I want a window in. Nothing fancy, about 1m x 0.5m, modern, standard sized, off the shelf, high security unit.

How easy or difficult is this to do?

In my layman's view I would have thought it goes something like this:

• buy window from Wickes / B&Q / Microsoft
• remove a few bricks of inner wall
• pop a lintel in
• remove remainder of bricks
• repeat for outer wall
• screw window in place
• plaster, make good, insert windowsill.

Am I absolutely way off the mark or is that about it?

Thanks



Edited to change the 5 to 0.5 !!

Edited by pikey on Friday 15th May 10:53

[garycat]

pikey said:

I have a wall that I want a window in. Nothing fancy, about 1m x 5m, modern, standard sized, off the shelf, high security unit.

5m ? That's a fookin long window!

[pikey]

You think?

Ok, how about


This one is 905 x 1190mm

[VxDuncan]

Planning permission, building control, FENSA certificate?

[Dogwatch]

Overlooks the neighbours?

[pikey]

Nope, checked with the planning officer when he came round to assess plans for a grand extension (now complete).

[Ganglandboss]

pikey said:

Nope, checked with the planning officer when he came round to assess plans for a grand extension (now complete).

Planning and Building Control are not the same. The planning officer may be happy but building control may not be. If you create a new window opening you run the risk (if installed incorrectly) of:

• Cold bridges
• Damp
• Structural problems
• Spread of fire if the cavity is not correctly closed (which your OP does not mention)

You will need to either get BC approval or use a FENSA accredited installer who can self-certify the work.

[sider]

Good advice from Ganglandboss there.

Also, if you sell the property, they will want to see FENSA certs (not always but i've had it twice in the past 5 yrs).

[Autonotiv]

pikey said:

I have a wall that I want a window in. Nothing fancy, about 1m x 5m, modern, standard sized, off the shelf, high security unit.

How easy or difficult is this to do?

In my layman's view I would have thought it goes something like this:

• buy window from Wickes / B&Q / Microsoft
• remove a few bricks of inner wall
• pop a lintel in
• remove remainder of bricks
• repeat for outer wall
• screw window in place
• plaster, make good, insert windowsill.

Am I absolutely way off the mark or is that about it?

Thanks

You will not be buying a 5m long window in B&Q mate!!!!!!

[mas99]

You also need to specify how your wall is built and if there are beams/whatever resting in the wall above this window.

[ledger]

thread hijack, but on a similar tack.

My bathroom (1930's house) has thick hardwoood window frames (which also provide the lintel, i.e. they are structural). Seated within the frame is an old aluminium double glazed unit. The window seals are very discoloured and moudly. If I want to replace the unit on a like for like basis I presume this is just a case removing the window beading, unscrewing the existing unit, seating the new unit and re-sealing.

Is this a realistic job for a DIY'er, provided the window is a standard size ?

thanks

[mechsympathy]

Autonotiv said:

You will not be buying a 5m long window in B&Q mate!!!!!!

And the lintel requirements for 5m vs 1m are substantially different. Not to mention the pillars that you're going to put the lintel on. For our 3m span we had to put in approx 1 m^3 footings and pillars of engineering bricks. Admittedly that was at the bottom of a 3 storey building.

[pikey]

I've already corrected myself - I don't want a 5m window!

It's a 120 year old house and in my previous kitchen (it was knocked down) I had a similarly small window put in. The chap did it in two days and it looked very simple. I didn't get a FENSA cert for it, but nor did I for a loft extension or fairly large building extension (both of them complied with planning and building reg processes).

The original question is.. is putting a window in a DIY job or do I need to get an expert in?

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I've not come across FENSA before but having a quick Google it appears to be a self assessment scheme for a company to say they did the job properly. However, in the last 3 years I've had 14 windows replaced or added and 2 major doors but had no FENSA certificates. I know all of them are compliant products (ie. K glass, Velux, etc..) and the building control inspector has signed off all the work with a certificate from the council.

[robinhood21]

ledger said:

thread hijack, but on a similar tack.

My bathroom (1930's house) has thick hardwoood window frames (which also provide the lintel, i.e. they are structural). Seated within the frame is an old aluminium double glazed unit. The window seals are very discoloured and moudly. If I want to replace the unit on a like for like basis I presume this is just a case removing the window beading, unscrewing the existing unit, seating the new unit and re-sealing.

Is this a realistic job for a DIY'er, provided the window is a standard size ?

thanks

Yup! If not standard, get a few quotes from local DG shops.

[JR]

Also check that the wall is not load bearing or providing any bracing/lateral stability.

[sleep envy]

have a crack at it yourself, what's the worst that could happen?

[V8mate]

pikey said:

I've not come across FENSA before but having a quick Google it appears to be a self assessment scheme for a company to say they did the job properly. However, in the last 3 years I've had 14 windows replaced or added and 2 major doors but had no FENSA certificates. I know all of them are compliant products (ie. K glass, Velux, etc..) and the building control inspector has signed off all the work with a certificate from the council.

Yep - you must have one or the other (in bold) when having any new or replacement windows fitted.

[pikey]

Ah, right.