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Housing - New Build: Grand Designs - why's it always the windows?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2014
     
    I have rather mixed feelings about this series (and a lot of the houses - particularly the grander ones) but the one message I have got from it is how builds so often go off schedule because of the windows.

    With mine I've speced absolutely standard Velux and gave my house designer a bit of an earful when he changed a couple to ones which were special-order-only sizes for top-hung (needed for escape in two of those cases). Seems strange that more of these projects don't anticipate this a bit better.

    Now Kevin's in the glass factory…
    • CommentAuthorJonti
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2014
     
    I too have noticed it is nearly always the glass that is late.

    Jon
  3.  
    Because so many of them are "architect" designed, who really, really love their glass. So they persuade their clients that they really need this glass containing unobtainium, mixed with scarcium and rarium. All from only 1 particular factory in Germany.
    • CommentAuthorNoodle
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2014
     
    I would say because a lot of glass isn't ordered till the openings are built and have been measured by the supplier or contractor if its something a little bespoke. In addition to that yes, for a high end, well designed house which is attempting to be of some architectural merit, perhaps standard off the shelf stuff would look a little odd/ cheap /not nice. More bespoke items obviously have longer lead times and contractors sometimes don't think about this until after that important key date has passed!
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2014
     
    Yes, can see why architects spec something odd. Still, in tonight's program they actually said they should have put a a gap in the schedule to allow for the lead time. You'd think they'd have worked that out by now.

    With a bit of forethought, couldn't the opening often be designed in a way where it's a bit adjustable? Use a “packing” piece down one or both sides and across the top to be ripped to the exact width required once the opening has been constructed.

    Or, when there's just one or two very prominent windows - as there often are, start from the opening constructed to the exact size (in a workshop?) and work out from there.
  6.  
    Is it really that difficult to build a wall with an opening in it of a given size???


    I watched one episode of this program after many years of hearing people saying "oh, like grand designs" after telling them what I do for a living.
    Very disappointing, and that guy likes to try and make a drama out of "will the windows arrive in time! this is catastrophic" style hyperbole. zzzzzzzz
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2014
     
    They could cut some OSB/plywood to the same size as the windows and build around them.
  8.  
    Posted By: SteamyTeaThey could cut some OSB/plywood to the same size as the windows and build around them.


    Called a "dead man" I think
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2014
     
    Posted By: bot de paille…and that guy likes to try and make a drama…
    Yes, that's one of the more negative of the mixed feelings I have about the program.
  10.  
    I'd like a Ă‚ÂŁ1 for every "oh, like grand designs" I've heard since I started my build!
  11.  
    Posted By: Ed Davies
    Posted By: bot de paille…and that guy likes to try and make a drama…
    Yes, that's one of the more negative of the mixed feelings I have about the program.


    It would be forgivable if, to balance it out he gave over at least 5 minutes on each episode to highlight a technical aspect of the build as a way of explaining something interesting/technical. For example U values, airtighness, cold bridging.

    I had assumed this is what he did which is why I was disappointed and haven't watched another episode. I can go out and buy a glossy architectural magazine, look at all the nice pictures and have the same experience.
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2014
     
    bdp,

    Remember, this is TV, designed for advertisers.... it is not meant to be a guide showing how to build well!
    I know the couple in a 100K house episode, what you saw in the program was not what happened on site, but that doesn't matter to TV folk...:confused:
  13.  
    Posted By: bot de paille
    Posted By: SteamyTeaThey could cut some OSB/plywood to the same size as the windows and build around them.


    Called a "dead man" I think


    All ICF builds use them - called "bucks" but same thing. Whatever left over bits of old ply and 2x4 you can find screwed together and the wall built tight around them, bash them out with a lump hammer when done! Here's one of mine.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2014
     
    I'm confused about which series you're discussing? I thought I'd missed some new series but I can't find anything. So are you discussing some of the repeats or have I missed something?
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2014
     
    Yep, the programme I was looking at that triggered this is quite an old one. Had seen it before but it was long enough ago that I watched it again.
  16.  
    Was that the London build of 2 houses behind Victorian terraces?
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2014
     
    Nope, not that one. It was a box in countryside (near Peterborough, I think) with lots of glass on the back (which was the problem, of course), timber cladding and a deck with a jetty sort of thing. Smallish, two bedrooms + bathroom upstairs with mezzanine over living room/dinning room/kitchen open plan + study separated by glass backed bookshelves downstairs.

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