Building Inspector for window ?

stuart45

To get a lintel to sit on the brickwork they had to take out the soldier course, cut the bricks down a bit shorter and make the window a bit taller.
If they do the same on the other side It'll be half a course higher than the small window next to it.

Section62

GoldenOldy said:

Yes, thats correct, same window same size. I know I need lintels has have had a survey done. Thanks

If you need lintels putting in (and that's what appears to have been done for the window on the left in your picture) then FENSA wouldn't be enough, you would still need to go via the building control route.

TBH having seen your other thread now I'd suggest you may want to have a rethink about what you are doing.  If you only replace one window at a time then you are likely to end up with different styles and finished appearance (e.g. how the repaired brickwork looks).  This may well cause problems when you come to sell the property as a buyer is likely to want to make allowance for a budget to replace all the windows to a consistent style and appearance, and also rectify any brickwork issues.

Unless the remaining wooden frames are rotten you might be better off leaving the windows as they are and give some consideration to other options such as secondary glazing to achieve the thermal benefits.  If you have no plans to sell in the next (say) 20 years then at least consider saving up so you can replace all the windows on one face of the house (at a time) rather than doing the windows one-by-one.

GoldenOldy

Thankyou Section 62. Its likely I may be gone gone, in the next 10 years i would say. Or shipped off somewhere maybe in 2-5 depending on heath, so its guesswork really.
Do you think one lonesome upvc one looks strange against the others?
I know the lintel looks horrible, he did a really bad job there.
i have also got 1 x upvc door at the back. 

Trouble is I bought the house in the good old days, now the days are not so good, and my next move, will be the last.
its too much for me anyway to have them all done, even if I had lots of money as I couldnt actually cope with the disruption etc.

from what you said i will need an indemnity anyway as I didnt get any building certificate, only fensa when i had the front one done.

I do really want /need one in the other room as its rotting.
Do you think wood would be better then, then purchase an indemnity policy when I leave/go?

Theres a lot of windows in this house!..and then theres the back too. They are timber and n good condition though.
See below.





Thanks

Section62

GoldenOldy said:

I do really want /need one in the other room as its rotting.

How badly?  Can you post a close-up picture?

If it isn't too bad then there's a possibility you could get a carpenter to cut out the rot and put new wood in, without having to replace the whole frame.

I really do think you should go through the options rather than go with your current plan.  You have a lovely house and it would be a shame if it were disfugred by not-very-good traders doing piecemeal window replacements.

stuart45

It's possible it didn't need a lintel. Concrete lintels on solid brick walls were often cast insitu back then. The soldier course would be built first with wall ties sticking out of the joints, and then the lintel cast so the concrete and brickwork become one lintel. 
Surveyors sometimes make the mistake of wanting the brickwork knocked out, which is really difficult. Looking at the soldier course the bricks look they were really hammered before reuse.

GoldenOldy

Section62. I will do a photo later. Its started to get mould in the room too cos its that billowy, its horrible. I also want that room redecorated as its been the same for 30 years, so iwanted to do one fell swoop. And that is my joint best room for living in and may even become my bedroom if push comes to shove.
Thanks for saying its a lovey house. Workmen make you feel like its a crumbled down old shack! It really gets me down. 

GoldenOldy

Thankyou Stuart 45. Most helpful. 

mexican_dave

mexican_dave said:

...If you are only wanting to replace the glass for Double Glazing, then Google "stepped double glazing". These have a slightly smaller inner pane to do you don't have to cut out a bigger grove (rebate) in the frame.
...

FreeBear said:

.... But if you replace just the glass and/or casements, it isn't an install, so no sign off required.

The very last window I had replaced here was an original 1920s with an oak sill. It consisted of an outer frame with an inner one to hold the glass. Could have popped the inner frame out, routed a deeper rebate and then fitted a DG sealed unit (but not set in to traditional putty - it rots the seals apparently)....

@Freebear says above: IF you only replace the glass it is not an installation needing any certification or Building Regs involvement, which brings me back to my advice to have a glazier fit you a "stepped double-glazed" unit. These are made for situations where glass in being replaced in EXISTING timber frames, unlikely to need a woodworker, as you don't need to cut a bigger grove (rebate) in the frame. If you contact a glazier they might order the units OR you with their agreement order them yourself for the glazier to fit. Refer to: https://www.sealedunitsonline.co.uk/order-glass/Stepped-Glass-Double-Glazed-Units-mob.aspx#:~:text=Double Glazed Stepped Units refer,in architectural and construction applications.

GoldenOldy

Righty - ho.  I’m rather excited and enthused now! I know a lovely glazier, so I shall contact him forthwith. I know my rebate is super slim and the glass is tissue thin so hope this is a solution, so could contemplate this in my other windows too! Now that is exciting.And less intrusive I hope with people here etc. May i ask, in some other windows I foolishly had them painted closed . Is this redeemable do you think? Thankyou

Section62

GoldenOldy said:

Righty - ho.  I’m rather excited and enthused now! I know a lovely glazier, so I shall contact him forthwith. I know my rebate is super slim and the glass is tissue thin so hope this is a solution, so could contemplate this in my other windows too! Now that is exciting.And less intrusive I hope with people here etc. May i ask, in some other windows I foolishly had them painted closed . Is this redeemable do you think? Thankyou

There's no point fitting new and expensive DG units if the frames or casements are rotten.

The first step is to establish whether the existing frames are Ok and/or can be repaired.  Second step is ditto for the casements.  Once you've done that you'll know whether it is worth looking at replacement glazing.

If the frames are beyond repair then you are looking at new windows (/plus lintels) with the whole range of glazing options.

If the frames are Ok but the casements rotten then it might be worth having new casements made to go in the old frames, but this won't be cheap.

But you need to figure out what the exact problem is, and what you are aiming to achieve.