Timber windows TO double glazed windows, lintels/support?
Discussion
Just curious here as buying a bungalow that has double glazing. Survey was talking about FENSA and all that jazz.
It's a late 70s build bungalow so assume it was timber windows, and was upgraded to double glazed. But it looks like it could be quite old double glazing and might not have documents (not checked yet)
But simply for understanding what is going on, I assume timber window frames could have been load bearing (and in this case supported the end of the roof trusses over windows and any internal masonry above them)
Or the window formed no part of the support structure, and the internal leaf of the building over the window opening had a timber or other kind of lintel to support stuff above it.
So the risk then becomes, if cowboy fitted double glazing and the frames were load bearing, then the roof and stuff could sag over the windows, but that'd be pretty obvious... and if the windows have been in a long time, it'd likely be obvious by now on one of the tens of large windows around the property. But for the sake of indemnity and BR legals stuff they'll just say words to the effect of "FENSA"
But in practical terms... is it simply a case of going in the loft and looking above the windows to see if the roof trusses rest on an internal leaf lintel?
It's a late 70s build bungalow so assume it was timber windows, and was upgraded to double glazed. But it looks like it could be quite old double glazing and might not have documents (not checked yet)
But simply for understanding what is going on, I assume timber window frames could have been load bearing (and in this case supported the end of the roof trusses over windows and any internal masonry above them)
Or the window formed no part of the support structure, and the internal leaf of the building over the window opening had a timber or other kind of lintel to support stuff above it.
So the risk then becomes, if cowboy fitted double glazing and the frames were load bearing, then the roof and stuff could sag over the windows, but that'd be pretty obvious... and if the windows have been in a long time, it'd likely be obvious by now on one of the tens of large windows around the property. But for the sake of indemnity and BR legals stuff they'll just say words to the effect of "FENSA"
But in practical terms... is it simply a case of going in the loft and looking above the windows to see if the roof trusses rest on an internal leaf lintel?
We had our double glazing installed by a FENSA registered installer about 10yrs ago.
Same thing: wooden load bearing frames (1970s build), he wouldn't start the job until we had lintels installed. Strangely we had lintels on the ground floor windows but not on the upper floor, perhaps those were the rules back then (it's only a few courses of bricks on the upper floors).
Long story short, a local brickie took the job on, two blokes installed lintels above two upper floor windows within 4 hours.
I was WFH as they did it, watched the process. Quite interesting and not as painfully expensive as I expected.
However, they did such a good job I think I would struggle to show you where they are, I only know they are there because I watched them put them in!
Same thing: wooden load bearing frames (1970s build), he wouldn't start the job until we had lintels installed. Strangely we had lintels on the ground floor windows but not on the upper floor, perhaps those were the rules back then (it's only a few courses of bricks on the upper floors).
Long story short, a local brickie took the job on, two blokes installed lintels above two upper floor windows within 4 hours.
I was WFH as they did it, watched the process. Quite interesting and not as painfully expensive as I expected.
However, they did such a good job I think I would struggle to show you where they are, I only know they are there because I watched them put them in!
Edited by Shooter McGavin on Wednesday 5th February 11:57
You’ve pretty much got the right idea: if it’s either trusses or a cut roof, the weight will be borne by the inner leaf of masonry and 70s construction I’d guess there is a concrete lintel over the windows, the window swap shouldn’t have affected them. As for the outside, do the top of the windows go right up to the eaves? If so there may not have been a lintel over them from when built.
Outer leaf window/patio door openings are stone jamb, sill and lintels, with a course of stone above which is up behind the soffit and I assume the last course.
The build looks generally very substantial and 'done well' so can't think they'd skimp on a proper window openinh support for a concrete tile roof with ~ 6m truss span.
It's largely original and still in good condition for 45 years old so I can only imagine that it has proper supports, and this is just a generic catch-all for anything older with newer double glazing.
Sensibly so of course on the FENSA check. It covers off all the worries under someone elses PI insurance.
But in practice... seems quite trivial to just crawl into the corner of the loft and have a look.
The build looks generally very substantial and 'done well' so can't think they'd skimp on a proper window openinh support for a concrete tile roof with ~ 6m truss span.
It's largely original and still in good condition for 45 years old so I can only imagine that it has proper supports, and this is just a generic catch-all for anything older with newer double glazing.
Sensibly so of course on the FENSA check. It covers off all the worries under someone elses PI insurance.
But in practice... seems quite trivial to just crawl into the corner of the loft and have a look.
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