Thread: Double Glazing
View Single Post
  #3   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Codswallop Codswallop is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 133
Default Double Glazing

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am due to move into a new house in a couple of weeks which has a
rotten front bay window which I will be looking to replace very soon.
I am wondering the cheapest way to replace this with double glazing and
was hopeing that someone may be able to give me some advice with the
following questions..

which tends to be cheaper, large national companies or local tradesmen?
is it better to measure and buy the wondows first then just get someone
in to fit them?
is it difficult to fit your own double glazing? and if so do you need
to meet any building regulations.

also if anyone has any idea approximatelly a bay window with the
following rough measurements would be to fit that would also be very
helpful:

large pane approx 1800 mm * 1500mm
2 * small panes 750 mm * 1500mm

thanks in advance for your help.


Local tradesmen tend to be cheaper as they haven't got the large overheads
and salespersons' commission to pay out.

You can measure them yourself if you know how, but the margin of error is
only plus or minus a very few millimetres and if you get the measurements
wrong then you are in deep ****. If the current windows are box sash then
you don't measure into the outside opening, you measure the inside opening,
and the old frames are a bugger to get out. Depending on the height from the
floor of the lowest part of glazing you may need toughened glass for the
inner panes. If this bay is on an upper floor then the new windows must meet
fire escape regulations.

If the bay hasn't got masonry columns supporting the roof you will have to
prop the roof up while you remove the old windows, otherwise the lot may
fall down, and you must insert new supports for the new frames. The
installation must meet FENSA requirements http://www.fensa.co.uk, and
planning permission is required if in a conservation area and if the council
has any regulations. The Building Control Officer at your local council will
advise regarding building regs and planning permission. The type of
questions you have asked seem to indicate that you don't have much
experience of what is involved.

You can get an idea of supply-only prices he http://www.u-fit.co.uk/

Some useful websites:
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/replacewindows.htm
http://www.doubleglazing.com/diy_insiders_guide.htm
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/double_glazing.htm