Window enlargement

[Deleted User]

I have a friend who wants to buy a property which has a very small window in the lounge. She was thinking of making the window bigger by extending its depth leaving its width the same.

Would anyone know if this requires planning permission? I can understand that planning permission would be required to put a new window, but would it also apply to making a window bigger?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Many thanks

silvercar

Watching this thread with interest as we would like to do the same on the house we hope to buy.

I wonder if it depends on whether the window looks out on neighbours or not?

BobProperty

I would say it might require planning permission, it definitely requires building regulation approval. However, if the work is done by a FENSA registered contractor it might be automatically approved. (http://www.fensa.co.uk/homeowners.html)
The easy way to find out is phone the planning dept and the Building Control dept of the local council. I would also be concerned that, as you are putting in a new window, that the support for it will need to comply with current Building Regulations. I am unsure about whether this is the case and, again, a call to the Building Control dept will answer the question.

canny_yorkshireman_2

if you are replacing the windows like for like then no planning permission is required unless the building is listed. The lowering of the window does not make any structural changes to the building and would only need a letter of intent sending to the local planning informing of the change to the appearence of the house if the job is done by a recognised contractor then i doubt the council will inspect the work
hth

homer_j_3

I was told recently that if you are changing the appearance of the property then PP is required. Not sure whether this would constitute - best idea is to ring local planning office.

ioscorpio

If you are widening the window then you could need a lintel

BobProperty

canny_yorkshireman wrote:

if you are replacing the windows like for like then no planning permission is required unless the building is listed.

I discussed this on another forum ages ago and can't remember the outcome. I think the front windows of a house in a conservation area would also count.

jennifernil

If the window is on the front then it probably would require PP as it will alter the appearance of the house. The best idea is to take a photo of the house into the planning department and ask them.

silvercar

In practical terms, if you enlarge a window and sell 5 years later, who is going to know that the window has changed. Even on houses that have had major extensions no-one goes round the house with the plans and checks that each window matches up to the ones on the plans.

waster_2

iomexico wrote:

If you are widening the window then you could need a lintel

This is sound advice.

If you are increasing the width of the opening the existing lintol is very likely going to be too short. Normally the lintol will have a minimum of 150mm (6" in old money!) bearing at each end. This is usually also the maximum in practice. So, if you want a wider window you will need a new lintol that is at least 300mm (150mm each end) wider than the new opning.

However, it depends upon the age and construction of your building as to what type of lintol you may need. Older properties (generally pre 1920's) were normally constructed with solid brick walls anything from one brick (9") thick and thicker. The lintols were often timber (often referred to as timber bressummers) although they may also have been brick on a metal archbar. Standard construction on domestic property since the 1920's has generally been with cavity walls. Again this varies upon age of property. Earlier dwellings would have two skins of brickwork; whilst later properties an ouiter skin of brikwork and inner skin of blockwork (normally the caity would be 50mm - 2" wide). More recent properties could be as cavity walls described above or the property could be timber framed! The lintols in the traditional cavity construction were often concrete, although steel lintols incorporting cavity closers are aslo popular. Timber frame would normally have a timber studding to frame the opening.

Additionally there is also the issues of cavity insulation, closing the cavity at the new reveals (sides) and making sure proper damp proof membranes and courses are inserted around the opening to stop the ingress of water. On timber frame you will also need to make sure that any vapour barriers are not perforated when forming the new opening.

Whilst making a window opening wider is not too difficult a job there are lots of bits that people do not think about.

And, as soon as you start making structural alterations (which included a new lintol or studding) you will need Buiding Control Approval. I'm not sure that the FENSA scheme covers this as I think it covers only for the actual windows when they are replaced like for like in size not the openings when alterations are required.

best advice is go and speak to your local Building Control and Planning Officers at the council. they are generally very good at assisting with advice. Good luck.