Replacing French doors with a large window

[dumbrian]

Hi folks,

We're starting having a single storey extension built to the rear of our Victorian terraced house, only 5m2 but expanding the full width of the house a bit further.

We have full planning permission granted, as had to apply because there is a prior extension to the rear as well. Planning includes patio doors to the rear, which leads to the current yard of the house. We've spent a long time looking at doors, and realise we cannot afford a) doors we like b) developing the yard c) have left it to late to order!

So the radical alternative we've come up with is installing a large window instead, but now appreciate this isn't specified on the plans and don't want further delays running this past planning. Will the building inspector query this on the final inspection, and if not can we then stick our heads in the sand and hope we've got away with it?

Many thanks for any opinions or ideas on this!

 

[Nakajo]

I doubt anyone gives two hoots, leastwise the building Inspector. Just carry on.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Did these doors form a necessity escape route?

 

[dumbrian]

There is a door to the rear of the property remaining, about 5 metres from planned door-to-window. The French windows would have been a new and additional escape route.

 

[Notch7]

Form the french door opening and build extension.

Use studwork maybe at bottom to reduce size.

Build a temporary frame above and glaze.

Or buy a 2nd hand upvc window from the bay and pack out as required to fill the space.

Or just buy a new upvc direct glazed frame.

Planning is no issue at all, but your temp window will stop b/regs getting signed off, unless its compliant or until you get the doors done

 

[tony1851]

Get a fire-escape window.

 

[dumbrian]

Thanks for the ideas, I'm probably looking at a design (sill at 800mm though) like this though, fixed pane.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ox2TAd695ZXh8BTJ7

 

[Notch7]

Thanks for the ideas, I'm probably looking at a design (sill at 800mm though) like this though, fixed pane.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ox2TAd695ZXh8BTJ7

Thats just a large sheet of glass in a direct glazed frame with a timber liner on the inside.

It will need a cill projection externally to deflect water beyond the brickwork.

 

[^woody^]

Put cheap ones in for now, change them when you can afford to.

 

[pilsbury]

I bought 6’ upvc french doors for £420 from a local window company. Smaller would have been cheaper. Surely you could bang a set of those in and live with them until you find a set you really like. I’m sure you’ll just get used to them anyhow. A big fecking floor to ceiling window will just have the same question asked of it every time someone comes round..... shouldn’t you have put some doors in there?

 

[dumbrian]

True, there are lots out there for £500 odd, but I'm pretty certain I'll dread looking at them everyday. The idea of a window is it could look amazing for less than £800 (including brickwork, etc),

 

[pilsbury]

If you’re gonna hate them then go for what you feel you can tolerate.