Steve Smith wrote:

Hi again. I have found a company in France called Lapeyre who sell rather
nice oak windows at affordable prices (as far as I can tell with my fracture
francais that is). Has anyone here purchased items such as this from across
the channel and if so how did it pan out? Their window furniture looks
really nice and a much better selection that B&Q et al. Having said that I
have not travelled over to see any of their stuff yet, I am basing all this
on their catalogue pictures. I hope to go over for a combined Christmas
booze and recce run later this month.

Lapeyre stuff is of good quality and usually well finished. You can
order on the website and pick the stuff up at the Calais branch (just
opposite Auchan on the road to Coquelles). I have two bathrooms equipped
with their stuff.

Remember that French windows open inwards - and are weatherproofed and
handled in that sense so they can't easily be fitted inside out. They
will be a different size to standard UK openings and are intended to be
fitted flush with the inner surface of the wall with the cill on the
outside - there may be a rebate extending over the opening on the inside.

For general DIY stuff (and a bit cheaper than Lapeyre but not usually as
good quality), I don't think you can beat Leroy-Merlin (next door to
Auchan). They used to employ an English guy in Calais to handle queries
from British customers but I don't think he's there any longer. If
anything you want happens to be out of stock, there's a good chance
they'll have it at either the Dunkerque or Boulogne branch (both around
a 20 minute drive away) and they'll telephone ahead to check and reserve
it for you if you ask.

Hope this helps,

Roger.