Replacing a window with a patio door...

[MattJD]

Hello, i have been offered some patio doors that are brand new but never got fitted, luckily they are a touch narrower than the window that i want to take out and replace.

The house is a narrow terrace and the window is offset in the wall, the distance from the edge of the window recess to the inside edge of the wall is around 6-8 inches and im worried that taking the bricks out down to ground level will somehow make the wall weak - am i worrying about nothing?

Thanks

 

[alfiembra]

Yes

You are not increasing the load only redistributing it slightly, as long as you make a neat job cutting the brick, close the cavity properly and extend the dpc down you should have no problems.

HTH

Alan

 

[MattJD]

Thanks Alan

 

[Richard C]

Don’t know your experience levels but the easiest way to extend the opening is to hire a 12” petrol driven, diamond disc cutter; this will also avoid disturbing the existing brickwork which is usually inevitable when using hammer & chisel or kango. If you haven’t used a disk cutter before, be very, very careful. Fit a DPC or preferably cavity closers to the new reveals.


I assume you are aware that its notifyable work & you should either;

a. get your LABC to inspect & issue a compliance certificate (fee) or,

b. use a FENSA or CERTASS (fairly new) who can issue one.

Without a compliance cert, you could have problems when you come to sell up.