French Windows

[Rick]

I am looking for some french stype windows, where its split in vertacally 2, and both open inwards, similar to the ones on the Lapeyre website that was mentioned here some while ago.

However it looks like I need made to measure. UK suppliers want 500 quid (ish) a window, and a huge ammount more for oak. I need 16, and don't have that sort of money. The Lapeyre ones in oak are much less, a couple of hundred quid.

Does anybody know of a website where I may be able to find this type of window. My french language skill is limited to being able to read odd bits, and work the rest out with a dictionary.

Thanks Rick

[BigWallop]

Best to contact a local cabinet maker or joiner shop, and ask them to make them for you. The price for a load of the amount you want may surprise you.

[biff]

French style of windows opening inwards allows shutters on the outside. Perhaps more useful in the French climate than ours, but not really any more expensive to make. That said, a price of 500 quidish does not sound at all dear. I would be very suspicious of anything cheaper - it's probabaly plastic. I only use oak for the windows that I make. The timber is expensive but it is only a small proportion of the total cost of a window. The labour is the expensive part. Oak has the advantage that it is strong and durable. It does not need any treatment with nasty chemicals but will last for centuries without rotting. It does not need painting and looks beautiful. Larch and Douglas fir are durable softwoods but not very much cheaper than oak. I guess your 16 windows may cost you around the =A310000 mark and you will probably have to wait a few months. Biff Tithe Farm Oak Works

[Rick]

Biff

Having spoken to a number of people who make the windows, they are looking at a 100-150% markup for oak over "hardwood". As you explain the cost of the wood is say 50% more for english oak, but most of the cost is the labor anyway. OK, so there is some extra tool wear on oak, but not that much.

10K for windows, means I am probably looking at making the first ones out of scant & OSB, I might have a go myself, the cost of a screw up is only a hundred quid or so. If I make them out of scant and OSB, I'll have a wonderfull workshop to work in, for making the improvments. You can get a lot of fine tools for the money you save.

Thanks Rick

[Rob Morley]

I'd have thought that design isn't much good at keeping out driving rain.

[Rick]

That is a matter of some debate, but I have the total of one windows facing the prevaling rain, and this will be a non opener.

[Jeff]

"Rob Morley" wrote

Its all in the design ... you have to have drain holes for the bottom rebate ( I have the same design in UPVC ) and no interior leakage at all

Regards Jeff

[Rob Morley]