I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.
I thought that I would try to make the casements myself but have been
unable to find any reading either in the library or on the web as to
how to go about it or where to find the necessary plans, drawings,
wood, mouldings etc.
Has anyone had the same experience?
Where can I find this information?
HELP

"monkey" wrote in message
oups.com...
I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.
I thought that I would try to make the casements myself but have been
unable to find any reading either in the library or on the web as to
how to go about it or where to find the necessary plans, drawings,
wood, mouldings etc.
Has anyone had the same experience?
Where can I find this information?
HELP


Ask in rec.woodworking however do understand that this is a more american
newsgroup but basically windows and frames construuction and design can be
interpreted to suit.

"monkey" wrote in message
oups.com...
I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.
I thought that I would try to make the casements myself but have been
unable to find any reading either in the library or on the web as to
how to go about it or where to find the necessary plans, drawings,
wood, mouldings etc.
Has anyone had the same experience?
Where can I find this information?
HELP

Googling sash window specialists gives lots of hits.
This one caught my eye
http://www.diysashwindow.co.uk/

--

Graham.
%Profound_observation%

This absolutely the best source of information - you will have to
register on the TRADA site (free) to get access:

http://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/asse...ndows%2Cwindow

Then you can see the .pdf version of:

High performance wood windows - Patrick Hislop

For more general info look at the standard student books on joinery:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpentry-Jo...6433275&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpentry-Jo...6433275&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpentry-Jo...6433312&sr=1-6

Owain wrote:
If you've
got an old window to dismantle and copy it should be even easier.

You will need some good quality tools though...

I did just that recently, gable windows in a garage. Carefully took apart
the old framework & beading, duplicated it exactly & refitted it using the
old glass. Did it on site; circular saw, planer, router.


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

monkey wrote:
I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.

Any decent joiner will have more work than he needs. The prices aren't
astronomical, they just reflect the skill required & the number of people
who have it, (I don't regrettably).


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

monkey wrote:

I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.
I thought that I would try to make the casements myself but have been
unable to find any reading either in the library or on the web as to
how to go about it or where to find the necessary plans, drawings,
wood, mouldings etc.
Has anyone had the same experience?
Where can I find this information?
HELP

Wicks and the like do premade windows.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz...es/pdf/Windows
..pdf

http://tinyurl.com/2n8wkh

--
zaax

wrote in message
ups.com...
This absolutely the best source of information - you will have to
register on the TRADA site (free) to get access:

http://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/asse...ndows%2Cwindow

Then you can see the .pdf version of:

High performance wood windows - Patrick Hislop


I can find this as a series of web pages (looks very informative, but
surrounded by clutter), but not the PDF. Perhaps you have to be a paying
member to get this?

I can find this as a series of web pages (looks very informative, but
surrounded by clutter), but not the PDF. Perhaps you have to be a paying
member to get this?

Sorry - I was working from memory.

In message . com,
" writes

I can find this as a series of web pages (looks very informative, but
surrounded by clutter), but not the PDF. Perhaps you have to be a paying
member to get this?

Sorry - I was working from memory.


Yep, I think the pdf doesn't exist. If you search the library, you can
find pdf files listed, some as only accessible to members, but not this
one
--
Chris French

monkey wrote:

I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.
I thought that I would try to make the casements myself but have been
unable to find any reading either in the library or on the web as to
how to go about it or where to find the necessary plans, drawings,
wood, mouldings etc.
Has anyone had the same experience?
Where can I find this information?

How much is 'astronomical'?

A friend has asked me to fit him a stable door at the side of his house.
As it is 44" wide, there is nothing off the shelf to do it, so it will
need to be made to order.
I rang one local door maker, who quoted £450+, "we dont know when we can
do it - as we are so busy"
Now, my first thought was, well, 'I can buy the wood for £50, so why is
it so dear'.
Maybe, but that means I've got to find a supplier for some hardwood for
the frame, then some planed treated wood for the panels, then go and
fetch them etc. I then reckon it will be 20+ hours work to make them
myself. I know I'll do a good job on it, but it will not be as good as
one made in a door factory.Add another 10 hours to collect the wood, and
fit the door, and it is easily 30 hours of work.
If I was charging full price for this, it would be near to £600 (and I
charge bargain prices!) - so just about the same as buying and fitting a
made to order door from a manufacturer.
I'm going to be doing it in my spare time, and charging around £150 -
probably just enough to cover my costs - not making any profit at all on
it.

I can see the same situation with your windows, doors are dead simple,
if they fit the hole with a few mm gap all round, then they are good.
Sash windows are a pain - regulalry moved, open to the elements one
side, in the 20 degree heat inside, -5 deg outside etc, so it takes a
lot more thought to make a good window.

To answer your query, yes it is quite possible to make your own windows.
It will take a lot more time than you think to do it. There are places
that sell the shaped wood for most of the sections. You will need
hardwood.
Personally, I'd get a lot of quotes - a quick google shows many
different companies specialising in sash windows, and ask someone else
to do it, as it really is an horrible job to make a decent sash window.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

A.Lee wrote:
monkey wrote:

I recently asked 4 joiners for quotes to replace a sash window and
three casement windows. The prices I got, eventually were
astronomical, as if they didn't need the work.
I thought that I would try to make the casements myself but have been
unable to find any reading either in the library or on the web as to
how to go about it or where to find the necessary plans, drawings,
wood, mouldings etc.
Has anyone had the same experience?
Where can I find this information?

How much is 'astronomical'?

A friend has asked me to fit him a stable door at the side of his house.
As it is 44" wide, there is nothing off the shelf to do it, so it will
need to be made to order.
I rang one local door maker, who quoted £450+, "we dont know when we can
do it - as we are so busy"
Now, my first thought was, well, 'I can buy the wood for £50, so why is
it so dear'.
Maybe, but that means I've got to find a supplier for some hardwood for
the frame, then some planed treated wood for the panels, then go and
fetch them etc. I then reckon it will be 20+ hours work to make them
myself. I know I'll do a good job on it, but it will not be as good as
one made in a door factory.Add another 10 hours to collect the wood, and
fit the door, and it is easily 30 hours of work.
If I was charging full price for this, it would be near to £600 (and I
charge bargain prices!) - so just about the same as buying and fitting a
made to order door from a manufacturer.
I'm going to be doing it in my spare time, and charging around £150 -
probably just enough to cover my costs - not making any profit at all on
it.

I can see the same situation with your windows, doors are dead simple,
if they fit the hole with a few mm gap all round, then they are good.
Sash windows are a pain - regulalry moved, open to the elements one
side, in the 20 degree heat inside, -5 deg outside etc, so it takes a
lot more thought to make a good window.

To answer your query, yes it is quite possible to make your own windows.
It will take a lot more time than you think to do it. There are places
that sell the shaped wood for most of the sections. You will need
hardwood.
Personally, I'd get a lot of quotes - a quick google shows many
different companies specialising in sash windows, and ask someone else
to do it, as it really is an horrible job to make a decent sash window.
Alan.

Making a new sash isn't difficult. The whole thing with boxes and
weights is.