To Fensa or not to Fensa?

dancook

My Dad is fitting a new bathroom for us, it's downstairs.

The window is approx 1200mm x 820mm. We want to have the shower that end now, which means we want to reduce the window to approx 500mm x 820mm.

My Dad can replace the window (inc blocking up the rest of the wall), but it won't be Fensa certified.

I have several choices, pay the council £117inc VAT to certify it, have a Fensa installer fit the window or forget about Fensa all together...

Which might cause a problem when trying to sell the house..

What would you do?

ian103

Would anyone know about just one window?

Do you plan to sell?

If it was me I would just crack on and do it and worry about it later if it ever becomes an issue

dancook

ian103 wrote: »

Would anyone know about just one window?

Do you plan to sell?

If it was me I would just crack on and do it and worry about it later if it ever becomes an issue

Probably not, the rest is double glazed anyway.

Not any time soon!

Sounds good

joinaman

Agree with the above, just fit it yourself

But make sure the window is fitted with trickle vents, will give you slight air changes and meets regs as well

leveller2911

joinaman wrote: »

Agree with the above, just fit it yourself

But make sure the window is fitted with trickle vents, will give you slight air changes and meets regs as well

I agree, no point wasting money for no real reason.I haven't fitted a trickle vent in any window I have made in the last 4 yrs or so, down the the fact that my Building Inspector said they can no longer insist on them.They like to see them but can't insist on them being fitted.

When you think about it theres no reasoning in making windows airtight with draught excluders, Low E glass,Argon/Krypton or Xenon gas and sticking a hole in it...

If trickle vents are essential then why do they fit ones that can be closed?.. When a room needs ventilation then open a window.:D

thebaldwindowfitter

leveller2911 wrote: »

I agree, no point wasting money for no real reason.I haven't fitted a trickle vent in any window I have made in the last 4 yrs or so, down the the fact that my Building Inspector said they can no longer insist on them.They like to see them but can't insist on them being fitted.

When you think about it theres no reasoning in making windows airtight with draught excluders, Low E glass,Argon/Krypton or Xenon gas and sticking a hole in it...

If trickle vents are essential then why do they fit ones that can be closed?.. When a room needs ventilation then open a window.:D

Strange that we had a fensa inspection and the customer was adamant they didnt want trickle vents so we didnt fit the and fensa wouldnt give a certificate of compliance

maintenanceman

"Strange that we had a fensa inspection and the customer was adamant they didnt want trickle vents so we didnt fit the and fensa wouldnt give a certificate of compliance"
Strange that as fensa is self regulating so you are saying that what you fitted was againsr fensa registration as a Fensa registrated body. TBH its a load of carp in my opinion having a self regulated body. i have seen fensa registered window fitters and the result is terrible. fensa is not worth the paper it is written on. It's old labour lust for paperwork which is worthless.. just like the old Labour government.
In

Ninnut85

I have recently had 3 separate companies come out to quote to have all my windows and doors replaced.
2 of them were Fensa registered, the other was not.
All 3 of them told me that if the existing windows have trickle vents then the new windows replacing them must also have trickle vents to receive Fensa certification.
As my current windows do not have trickle vents I asked for the new one not to have them either as I agree with an earlier poster, why create an A++++ super mega insulated window and the put a hole in the top.......just open a window if you need ventilation.

leveller2911

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

Strange that we had a fensa inspection and the customer was adamant they didnt want trickle vents so we didnt fit the and fensa wouldnt give a certificate of compliance

All the Windows and doors I make are signed off by the Local Building Control via building notice. You can't get anything more official than building control.

As previously mentioned the FENSA scheme is flawed and I have also seen work signed off that doesn't comply.

thebaldwindowfitter

leveller2911 wrote: »

All the Windows and doors I make are signed off by the Local Building Control via building notice. You can't get anything more official than building control.

As previously mentioned the FENSA scheme is flawed and I have also seen work signed off that doesn't comply.

Any windows you replace which have trickle vents or in new build must have trickle vents to comply with building regs i totally agree its stupid .the house we installed windows and didnt install trickle vents the house owner was told by us that this didnt satisy the regs

http://www.haringey.gov.uk/note05_-_replacement_windows.pdf

joinaman

So you think fitting trickle vents is silly??

Is this after you have spent a fortune trying to get rid of black mould and condensation ?

I would never fit a window in a bathroom or bedroom without a trickle vent, thses rooms need ventilation at all times
How often do you open a window in winter? do you have a window open during a shower, or when sleeping? Which is going to lose heat the most, having an open window or having an open trickle vent

I agree it seem a bit daft paying for double glazing/etc and then leaving ventilation holes, but thats the problem with modern houses, people will not allow natuaral ventilation/air changes and then complain about dampness and mould.
And yes, Fensa is a joke. It's supposed to prove the windows are fitted correctly and meet regs, but hwo many times arre windows fitted badly, and how many people know exactly what the regs are anyway,