Double Glazing

[tom_burrow]

I am due to move into a new house in a couple of weeks which has a rotten front bay window which I will be looking to replace very soon. I am wondering the cheapest way to replace this with double glazing and was hopeing that someone may be able to give me some advice with the following questions..

which tends to be cheaper, large national companies or local tradesmen? is it better to measure and buy the wondows first then just get someone in to fit them? is it difficult to fit your own double glazing? and if so do you need to meet any building regulations.

also if anyone has any idea approximatelly a bay window with the following rough measurements would be to fit that would also be very helpful:

large pane approx 1800 mm * 1500mm

2 * small panes 750 mm * 1500mm

thanks in advance for your help.

[David Hansen]

On 30 Oct 2006 06:44:31 -0800 someone who may be tom [e-mail] wrote this:-

Depends. However, if you don't measure them then you are transferring the risk to your builder.

No, the rebates are deeper then for single glazing though. Note that in a bay window one needs to hold the roof of the bay up while the windows are installed.

Note also that if you live in one of several sorts of area then it is best to converse with the council first regarding planning permission.

[Codswallop]

Local tradesmen tend to be cheaper as they haven't got the large overheads and salespersons' commission to pay out.

You can measure them yourself if you know how, but the margin of error is only plus or minus a very few millimetres and if you get the measurements wrong then you are in deep shit. If the current windows are box sash then you don't measure into the outside opening, you measure the inside opening, and the old frames are a bugger to get out. Depending on the height from the floor of the lowest part of glazing you may need toughened glass for the inner panes. If this bay is on an upper floor then the new windows must meet fire escape regulations.

If the bay hasn't got masonry columns supporting the roof you will have to prop the roof up while you remove the old windows, otherwise the lot may fall down, and you must insert new supports for the new frames. The installation must meet FENSA requirements

and planning permission is required if in a conservation area and if the council has any regulations. The Building Control Officer at your local council will advise regarding building regs and planning permission. The type of questions you have asked seem to indicate that you don't have much experience of what is involved.

You can get an idea of supply-only prices here:

useful websites:

[Phil L]

ring four or five local tradesmen for quotations, don't bother attempting to measure the frames yourself, otherwise whatever goes wrong at a later date is down to your poor measuring abilities....I would guestimate this bay would cost no more than 2 grand (fitted) with K glass, depending on where you are in the country. You can fit them yorself but you then need to have them checked by BC and a bay window is not a good place to start if you've never fited a window before.

[smokeyd]

thanks for all of your help. propping up roofs etc sounds like hard work so i think i will have to get someone in. i got a rough quote from a trademan for the bay window and one upstairs for 2 grand. just cant beleive how much double glaxing costs! i did a rough measurement and looked online for the wondows and found that they cost around 700 quid. the guy also said that he could have it done in a day so that would mean =A31300 for a days work! i am going to get some more quotes..

[Codswallop]

"smokeyd" wrote: thanks for all of your help. propping up roofs etc sounds like hard work so i think i will have to get someone in. i got a rough quote from a trademan for the bay window and one upstairs for 2 grand. just cant beleive how much double glaxing costs! i did a rough measurement and looked online for the wondows and found that they cost around 700 quid. the guy also said that he could have it done in a day so that would mean £1300 for a days work! i am going to get some more quotes.. =================================================

The online quotes are just for the frames and sealed units, and don't include trims, window sills, expanding foam, glue, sealant and bay window corner roof supports if needed. They are not expensive items but they have to be bought.