Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:27:46 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2585#Comment_2585 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2585#Comment_2585 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:05:37 +0100 John Pedersen
I am planning an extension to the south side of my house, and want to put in two sets of French doors with 'wing lights' ( those windows on either side of the doors ). Also another window, floor to ceiling, perhaps 6 feet wide.

I have been surprised at the huge variation in price between suppliers. My requirements are quite simple:

hardwood ( not rain forest! )
good double glazing, I guess using Pilkington K.
Door frames, with seals fitted.
I don't mind fitting the hardware myself, as this seems a much cheaper way of doing things.
I don't mind fitting the glass either.

Recommendations? Good suppliers? Should I go for glazed or unglazed, and if unglazed, just get the DG units made up by our local glazier?

All advice welcome.

Thanks,

john]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2586#Comment_2586 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2586#Comment_2586 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:19:50 +0100 Dominic Cooney http://www.biffvernon.freeserve.co.uk/oak_works.htm
although it might depend whereabouts in the country you are, we found local was easy, frames from a joiner and glazing from a local supplier, both to your own spec - you can tell the joiner you want deep frames, and the glazier you want low-e argon filled units. Make sure you tell them where the glass is going, glass has to be toughened below a certain height in case you walk into it.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2598#Comment_2598 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2598#Comment_2598 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:15:06 +0100 Chris Wardle
Also, are you incorporating an overhang on the south side to keep the worse of the mid-day summer sun out? Any idea how you work out how big it needs to be?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2600#Comment_2600 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2600#Comment_2600 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:27:41 +0100 Guest https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2604#Comment_2604 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2604#Comment_2604 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 06:58:31 +0100 John Pedersen
I wasn't planning on overhangs - I am planning having some decking outside, with a glass roof over it, and grapes growing under the glass. I have the grapes planted. I have used grapes for summer shade like this before, and it worked well, and the extra heat helps the grapes ripen. I am also planning on a couple of big veluxes near the top of the roof, to let the heat out on those really hot days.

Guest - warning appreciated.

Dominic - nice site, but Biff is 350 miles away.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2605#Comment_2605 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2605#Comment_2605 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:33:29 +0100 biffvernon
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/biffvernon/IM002322a.jpg]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2606#Comment_2606 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2606#Comment_2606 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:45:11 +0100 John Pedersen ]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2613#Comment_2613 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2613#Comment_2613 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:01:33 +0100 Chris Wardle https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2616#Comment_2616 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2616#Comment_2616 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:31:53 +0100 John Pedersen
It's worth checking to make sure that the variety you plant is for this country, and check whether they are for eating or wine. I got 3, different varieties, all bred for local conditions. You can get 50 bunches from one vine eventually! I picture myself in a hammock slung between the posts, reaching for the grapes... lot of work to do before then though!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2632#Comment_2632 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2632#Comment_2632 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:48:20 +0100 biffvernon Posted By: Chris WardleHow fast do the grapes grow John? I like that idea - how do they taste? Biff, how much more to use oak for something like in the photo posted than softwood?

Last summer was our best vintage.

I only use oak so wouldn't be able to give a price for pine.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2633#Comment_2633 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=2633#Comment_2633 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:54:02 +0100 biffvernon Posted By: John PedersenI like what you have to say on your site about locks too.
For the last few decades every time I've left my house I've locked the door (perhaps to please the insurance industry). I doubt whether a burglar has ever tried the handle. When a burglar does turn up he will probably come with the tools of the trade and make the provision of a lock redundant.
According to Biff's Theory of Criminology, If everyone left their doors unlocked the burglary rate would not increase but there may be a lot of unemployed locksmiths.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15597#Comment_15597 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15597#Comment_15597 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:34:06 +0000 Erica
So far, I have a quote from a reputable source for some 18 windows and 2 doors (one single, one double) in FSC European redwood, argon filled, Pilkington K for £22k, painted and ready to install, including VAT but excluding installation. I had thought that redwood was hard wood, but find that it isn't. Is this a problem? I am told that if it is all well ventialted, then no it isn't.

Anyway, may I have any opinions or advice, please?? Or where can I get such advice?

Many thanks.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15612#Comment_15612 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15612#Comment_15612 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:33:33 +0000 Johan
I've just got a quote for £15.6k (ex VAT) for 17 windows and 3 double French doors. I don't know how big your windows are though, most of mine are in the range 600x1200 to 1800x1200. Ours have different colour on in and outside and also through glazing bars so it pushes the price up a fair bit. If you take these things off and just go for plain white I'd would image you'd be closer to £10k-£12k for all of them.

These are triple glazed windows with an overall u-value of 1.2W/m2K. See the triple glazing thread for all the different suppliers available.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15627#Comment_15627 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15627#Comment_15627 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:31:58 +0000 skywalker
You should be able to get proper (made by someone who cares & uses hand tools) windows & doors for that kind of money.

You could do much worse than have a look the information on Biffs site, there are lots of people doing a 'proper job' like him all over the country.

S.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15635#Comment_15635 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15635#Comment_15635 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:33:03 +0000 biffvernon
If you buy timber windows then insist they use real linseed oil paint, or get them untreated and paint them yourself.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15646#Comment_15646 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15646#Comment_15646 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:30:27 +0000 rogerwhit https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15942#Comment_15942 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15942#Comment_15942 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:27:46 +0000 fostertom http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=527&page=3 – scroll down to Dec 21st. £6000-odd for 21 Scandinavian-style triple glazed softwood windows of highest quality -delivered but not installed.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15995#Comment_15995 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=15995#Comment_15995 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:06:33 +0000 Tuna https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16012#Comment_16012 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16012#Comment_16012 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:34:51 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16017#Comment_16017 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16017#Comment_16017 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:38:42 +0000 biffvernon Timber involves some trees and a saw.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16019#Comment_16019 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16019#Comment_16019 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:05:50 +0000 fostertom https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16028#Comment_16028 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16028#Comment_16028 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:16:03 +0000 Tuna
Biff's faith in good wood and linseed is very convincing, but I like to consider the alternatives before making a choice. As ever, practicalities such as cost, supply and fitting sizes will play their part as well.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16032#Comment_16032 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16032#Comment_16032 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:08:07 +0000 fostertom Posted By: TunaI'm not convinced that the additional expense of 3G is worthwhileWe went through that, which is a myth put out to justify the UK industry's complacent backwardness, in the various 3g threads.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16034#Comment_16034 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=233&Focus=16034#Comment_16034 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:10:55 +0000 biffvernon
Oooo, we've had, er, two really cold nights this winter.]]>