|
|
 |
Author |
|
| Message | |
|
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 16772
Location: Hereford
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 9:58 am Post subject: How big should a window be? |
 
|
If I'm building a small extension, and have a wall into which I'd like to put a window, how big should that window be? I'm assuming there's some general rules for aestheticness? (and possibly building regs, as it's the only natural light for this room).
Or, is it entirely up to me? |
|
|
|
 |
Treacodactyl
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 18569
Location: In the pond with the frogs
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 10:23 am Post subject: |
|
Have you had a chat with your local planners and building control? I'm not sure about size but the overall extension U values might need to be balanced, so the larger the window the more insulation or better glass you'll need.
Does the window need to fit in with the rest of the house? If so, that would prevent it from being too big wouldn't it? |
|
|
|
|
Jenna
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 122
Location: Caithness
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 10:41 am Post subject: |
|
Is it going to be a 'habitable room'? Last time I looked, the building regs only had that the total opening bit of the window(s) had to be 1/20 of the floor area, opening to unrestricted outside air in a habitable room. Dunno about appearance/light and stuff, I'd have thought that part was mostly up to you, as long as the planners have said that you are allowed a window there. |
|
|
|
|
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 16772
Location: Hereford
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 11:14 am Post subject: |
|
We're replacing an existing bit of extension that is falling down, so no planning needed. I need to check about moving windows slightly, but as we're dividing it, I want a second window, hence the size question. It's part of an existing room, and as we're removing single skin, leaky brick work built on mud with insulated floor, walls and ceiling, and leaky windows with nice, shiny new modern ones, anything we do will work in our favour, in terms of heat/insulation.
We are planning on siting them at the same height as other windows that can be seen at the same time, but width and final height are just aesthetic. I've sketched it on paper and the wife agrees. I guess we go for that. |
|
|
|
|
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 10580
Location: Bucks
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 11:34 am Post subject: |
|
There might be other restrictions - I'm not sure how it works for extensions, but we had to put in windows that were wider than than they were tall. |
|
|
|
|
wipka84
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
Posts: 199
Location: Essex, UK
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 11:56 am Post subject: |
|
As a general rule:
The area of windows and rooflights in the extension should not exceed for residential properties 30% of exposed wall.
Where a window opens at least 30 degrees the opening area should be at least 1/20 of the room floor area, or 1/10 of the floor area where the opening angle is 15-30 degrees. External doors can be included in purge venilation opening area calculations.
Should also be noted that extensions up to 30m2 (conservatory, porch, covered yard, covered way or carports with at least two open sides) are exempt from the application of the building regulation requirements. |
|
|
|
|
ros
Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 1348
Location: Beds
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 11:59 am Post subject: |
|
| wipka84 wrote: |
As a general rule:
The area of windows and rooflights in the extension should not exceed for residential properties 30% of exposed wall.
Where a window opens at least 30 degrees the opening area should be at least 1/20 of the room floor area, or 1/10 of the floor area where the opening angle is 15-30 degrees. External doors can be included in purge venilation opening area calculations.
Should also be noted that extensions up to 30m2 (conservatory, porch, covered yard, covered way or carports with at least two open sides) are exempt from the application of the building regulation requirements. |
as an aside - sorry Nick - re porches exempt from the regulations about the front building line? or is that an old reg?
Nick, does the direction the window faces make a difference to the size you'd want it? |
|
|
|
|
wipka84
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
Posts: 199
Location: Essex, UK
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 12:06 pm Post subject: |
|
| ros wrote: |
| wipka84 wrote: |
As a general rule:
The area of windows and rooflights in the extension should not exceed for residential properties 30% of exposed wall.
Where a window opens at least 30 degrees the opening area should be at least 1/20 of the room floor area, or 1/10 of the floor area where the opening angle is 15-30 degrees. External doors can be included in purge venilation opening area calculations.
Should also be noted that extensions up to 30m2 (conservatory, porch, covered yard, covered way or carports with at least two open sides) are exempt from the application of the building regulation requirements. |
as an aside - sorry Nick - re porches exempt from the regulations about the front building line? or is that an old reg?
Nick, does the direction the window faces make a difference to the size you'd want it? |
The regs mentioned are current. A porch on the front of your house would be exempt, it also come within permitted development and providing it is no larger than 3m2, no higher than 3m and no closer than 2m from a boundary or highway will not require planning permission. Actually that goes for any external door you might want to attach a porch to. |
|
|
|
|
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 16772
Location: Hereford
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 12:18 pm Post subject: |
|
| ros wrote: |
Nick, does the direction the window faces make a difference to the size you'd want it? |
Not for sunlight reasons, no, both would be sheltered by walls and hedges, but because they can be viewed with other windows, they should not jar with them.
Useful info, too, thanks, Wipka84. |
|
|
|
|
Emyr
Joined: 05 Sep 2009
Posts: 61
Location: Down some dark dark stairs.
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 09 10:27 pm Post subject: |
|
Big enough to see the view.
Not so big that you can see a pylon from the comfiest seat. |
|
|
|
|
dpack
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 12647
Location: w yorks /earth
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 09 1:11 pm Post subject: |
|
i recon draw what you feel looks right ,with dimensions to scale and run it past building control and your builder /joiner
re frames and glass ,a good joiner can make any style you need ,regular maintainance makes timber windows permanant ,use hardwood or pre treated timber and good paint system .re glass the hightec thermal stuff is ok but on groundfloor windows i favour 3+3 mm laminate for safety and security ,glass is fragile in proportion to size so bigger should mean thicker and stronger in type
ps laminate has pretty good thermal insulation as well compared to single layer |
|
|
|
|
Gervase
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 6199
Location: Ceredigion, West Wales
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 09 2:45 pm Post subject: |
|
If you want your builder to like you, make the window plus frame a multiple of a standard block size, and make its position on the plan fit in with the courses. Unless, of course, doing so would look odd, in which case b*gger the builder! |
|
|
|
|
Treacodactyl
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 18569
Location: In the pond with the frogs
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 09 3:26 pm Post subject: |
|
| Gervase wrote: |
| Unless, of course, doing so would look odd, in which case b*gger the builder! |
I just tend to offer them tea and biscuits. |
|
|
|
|
dpack
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 12647
Location: w yorks /earth
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 09 3:44 pm Post subject: |
|
another thought it can be rather damp down your way ,much as i dislike al/upvc windows they do survive flooding better than wood ,not a happy thought but ,wood painted before installation should be ok for a quick dip if worst happens
will the electrics be high on the walls /top fed ? |
|
|
|
|
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 16772
Location: Hereford
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 09 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
Windows will, I'm afraid be uPVC to mathc the rest of the house.
Electrics will be top down, assisted by the fact our meter lives in that room, at the top. |
|
|
|
|
|
View Latest Posts