As an antidote to the Brexit discussion I intend to beg comment on a
series of queries related to an about to start extension/major refurb.
of an existing timber frame chalet bungalow.

Not having Tim Ws stamina the bulk of the structural/roofing work will
be done by a local building company.

Q1. The existing windows are narrow spacing double glazed in brown
painted pine. Two or three panels are blown and need renewing anyway. My
first thought was to strip out the glass and strip off the paint.
Re-paint in white and fit modern argon filled panels. However, the
glazing rebate is much too narrow to use 4:16:4 units.

Six new windows are required for the alterations so current thinking is
to go for new throughout. First estimate for 12 windows and two doors
came in at 18K fitted. This afternoon was spent trawling round the local
showrooms. I'm not much wiser:-( The much vaunted narrow mullion
aluminium does not seem to exist. By the time they have put in the
plastic thermal break and endless folds for strength and appearance they
are as fat as uPVC.

Also, what happened to window hinges and stays? They all seem to use a
fancy sliding meccano mechanism which relies on a tiny strip of plastic
in a groove to retain the window against a stiff breeze.

And why do doors supplied by such outlets have such flimsy threshold
strips?

Also, also my wife who is somewhat challenged vertically came back from
a jaunt to the Cotswolds determined that fanlights are out! (hard to
clean and hard to reach). The new *in* is top hung bottom latched full
length openers.

Thoughts please. Does uPVC really stay clean and shiny for 20 years?

Are these fancy sliding fixings reliable?

Can a bottom opening style meet the fire escape regulations.

--
Tim Lamb