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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
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  1.  
    It appears these seem to be most recommended on here of late, a few questions:

    Could I get them in 1900mm width and 1200mm height? If so I'd like 5 of them for the following property:
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-VpHGUqUlascnhMbsdKpxQxifg7WSUV/view?usp=drivesdk


    The concern we have is that the width of 1900mm means that they'd take up a lot of room opening internally - do people really use them to open inwards or just useful for cleaning? I guess if we were to open them we wouldn't open them fully anyway, I don't think we've ever opened our existing windows fully...

    By using one large pane as opposed to the existing 2 per window we feel would give better views and cleaner look from the curb

    Thoughts please
  2.  
    We have all tilt/turn windows and only use the turn for cleaning.

    1900 is a wide window for a single light. IMO you won't be opening the turn other than for cleaning with light that size.

    I would be worried about the stress on the hinge mechanism especially if they are 3G
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2024
     
    You'd have to ask your chosen manufacturer about maximum and recommended pane sizes. As PiH says, stress on the mechanism is major concern. All ours with that kind of aspect ratio have two panes. Most are single opening, other fixed but an odd one has both panes opening. We do have a couple of windows that are at least that wide and single pane - they are one fixed pane. We mostly only tilt windows but there's one in particular we regularly fully open for ventilation in summer, although it's fairly small. We actually pay a window cleaner to clean the outside - it saves hassle.

    If you particularly want an opening wide single pane then it might be worth considering top-hung outward opening.
  3.  
    We had some about 1500 wide in a previous home, it was lovely to have them wide open on summer mornings as you have a completely unobstructed opening to the view outside. (But only if weather and privacy are ok).

    They do tend to obstruct stuff inside though, best not to have them opening across accesses and stairwells etc, depending which end the hinges are. Ours opened across cupboards and wardrobes, had to close the window to get at those.

    Ours had no stays in 'turn' mode, so either they were closed or turned fully wide open, nothing in-between. Use 'tilt' mode if you want them only part opened.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeSep 30th 2024
     
    Yes, stays can be quite important and quite tricky to obtain. Our tilt and turn don't have stays on the turn position, as WiA. Neither do our top-hung have stays, so we resort to propping them with bits of stick. And we haven't been able to find a door stop for an outward opening ali-clad timber door.
  4.  
    Looking at it logically the previous owner probably had the design spot on. Maximising the viewing area and keeping the opening pane to a minimum.

    I guess even replacing the windows on a like for like design just with a better U-value and fit would do wonders as most of the 22mm units are blown anyway and the sliding door (upper RHS of picture) is leaking air around the edges.

    I guess then if the opening panes remain at say 600mm (what most manufacturers seem to suggest as the minimum to comply with a 450mm clear opening for escape).

    It probably comes down to preference thereafter, top hung, side hung, tilt and turn... options are endless
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2024
     
    I agree, your previous owner had it right. To my eye and aesthetically the windows, and front facade, looks balanced. Personally I wouldn't mess with the design, maybe the opening casements a little wider, perhaps but not much?
  5.  
    The window above the porch roof we have thought about turning into a door and the roof being converted into a balcony.

    For me it looks like it would throw off the symmetry somewhat. Currently the ongoing debate at home with her indoors
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeOct 3rd 2024 edited
     
    Posted By: Victorianecolooks like it would throw off the symmetry
    Not at all - already far different context than the four to left - recommended - do it.
  6.  
    Speaking to a retired architect, he reckons for every opening split them straight in the middle.

    This would then match the existing sliding door (to be replaced with tilt and slide) and if we were to turn the other to a tilt and slide it would give great symmetry

    My thoughts though is from internally you're then restricting the 'view' internally.

    If we go with windows externally mounted prior to EWI do we need to remove the existing overhanging cills?

    If so what type of cill could we use with an EWI system as we do like the idea of stone cills to give a classic feel
  7.  
    I think asymmetry has its place. The windows in your house already look better than the neighbours' either side. To my eye, they look appropriate for the period of the property.
  8.  
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/17QcwB4ZNM0xNeu8XlH2LphRIPlpacwtu/view?usp=drivesdk

    This is my proposal, but just wondering now on opening options, inward, tilt and turn, top hung, and how to ventilate the porch windows
  9.  
    Having had houses with traditional UK windows, traditional continental double layer casement windows and tilt and turn (inward opening) I would now always have tilt and turn.
  10.  
    That also looks good. It’s a shame that the opening casements have heavier looking frames than the fixed ones, but that’s often the case and is a pet hate of mine (loads in this house)
    Managed to avoid it in the barn, single pane windows and doors either fixed or opening. Windows are top hung outwards opening but are much smaller than yours. The opening ones still have thicker looking frames but you notice it less because they are not right next to each other in the same window.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2024
     
    Or you can put 'sashes' in all the openings, some opening, some fixed - as was traditionally always the way until post-WW2 - costs surprisingly little extra
  11.  
    We've got 2 aluminium companies coming out this week so we'll run some ideas past them.

    Am I right in saying before we mount windows outside of the outer skin the raised render window heads would need to be removed and smoothed or would you leave as is and scribe the EWI boards?

    Can you also get some kind of stone slips to go on top of the EWI as a fake stone cills?
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeOct 6th 2024
     
    Posted By: VictorianecoCan you also get some kind of stone slips to go on top of the EWI as a fake stone cills?
    Yes, but it's been a decade since I looked at such things and I can't remember the names. But just look in building magazines and the like (particularly eco or PH ones).
  12.  
    2 local companies who supply smart systems aluminium have quoted £2500+ for the sliding doors...

    I'd like to get a supply only price for uPVC in black. Any recommendations? Modernwindows don't offer a decent looking enough profile for us
  13.  
    I've got the local rep. for Rational and Velfac to discuss

    And I've emailed internorm

    Any other supplier recommendations?

    We want black/black classic style frames
    • CommentAuthorrevor
    • CommentTimeOct 18th 2024
     
    I would stay clear of dark colour upvc they get very hot in the sun and will expand may creak.
    If you are determined I would make sure you get written assurance from your supplier that you will get no issues with your choice.
  14.  
    Internorm have come in at a staggering £37,000 for;

    27m2 of windows and doors....

    That's £1370 per m2

    Local installer of Smart Systems £13,370 ie. £495 per m2

    Will keep them coming

    So far, Russell Timbertech have not got back to me...
  15.  
    £29,000 for Rational/Velfac

    Wow!
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2024 edited
     
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Victorianeco</cite>Russell Timbertech have not got back to me</blockquote>Chase! they're not client-friedly, but lo-cost - tho your £495 isn't far beyond what I expect Russell price will be, since I last enquired, esp if they're quoting for Al clad.

    Try https://indigo7.co.uk, selling Vrogum, Danish - the uniquely nearest thing to a traditional English cottage window, because opening lights are, unusually, glaze-in, with small bevelled outer section showing, which looks like a putty line - if that's your thing (but not if you have direct-to-frame fixed lights which are glaze-out with the usual bulky external glazing bead) (and you have to make your own slim stick-on glazing bars, because theirs are much too fat). Applies to their sliding sash type too.

    Oops - but these Vrogum aren't tilt/turn, tho they may do one.
  16.  
    Email received from Russell 1 month after enquiry:

    "Unfortunately upon review of your job we must decline due to our current workload."

    So that's them out

    I think I will look into Liniar and Rehau uPVC windows
    • CommentAuthorstonecold
    • CommentTimeNov 25th 2024
     
    you can put a turn restrictor on and just use as tilt, the fresh air will come in from the top and for tall windows I have to say it's an impressive amount

    we got tilt and turn internorm triple glazing and 18 months ago and ventilation feels better than when we have the usual tall rectangular windows with a top section that opens

    we do need to retrofit turn restrictors because it is a bit scary upstairs when cleaning with them open by turning

    you might want to look at the weight of them to open - could be because the ones we chose are very thick / very low U/Uw (comparable to passive house level)

    different manufacturers will have different maximum sizes
    • CommentAuthorstonecold
    • CommentTimeNov 25th 2024 edited
     
    (double post deleted)
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