Double Height Room - Windows

Quack13

We are just about to start building our house and I am getting some prices together for various parts of the build. One of our bigger costs will be the windows at the back of our house.

We have a large double height room at he back of the house which is to be the kitchen/dining area. The very back of the room is south facing and we have really nice views of the city at night so thought it would be nice to have full length windows.

I have attached an image of the type of thing we are after.

Does anyone know:

a) Would windows like this require special steel structural work to be done or would the window company look after the whole thing?

b) Does anyone know any reputable and reasonable window companies that do such a thing (if so a PM would be appreciated)

c) rough cost of these type of windows


I am aware there are folding doors at the bottom of this particular example. We may or may not get these..I know they are expensive, so we might just go for standard windows and put the door on the side.


sorry for all the questions! Any help would be appreciated.

gman2k

Your window may need structural steel at midways horizontal due to wind loading.
the top and bottom parts will obviously be in separate parts, and a T piece (with T lying on it's side) may be needed between the two parts. (This steel T piece will need structural solution at either end)
Window supplier/ structural engineer will assess the need for same for you.
I would strongly recommend you retain the services of a structural engineer if you are contemplating this type of structure.
I'll PM you details of a reputable window company.

Carlow52

Quack13 wrote: »

....... The very back of the room is south facing and we have really nice views of the city at night so thought it would be nice to have full length windows......

Are u a basketball player?

I dont see how double height windows will help with Patrick Moore activities

Quack13

Carlow52 wrote: »

Are u a basketball player?

I dont see how double height windows will help with Patrick Moore activities

Yes I play basketball and am an avid astronomer.

We also like the feel of this type of room...hope that's ok with you

Technophobe

Hi Quack 13,

I have started on my build and have a very very similar set up at the back of my house...like you this room will be a dining room which I have made as a step down from a kitchen adjoining it....

I have got quotes from a number of window companies and none have referred to it as being a major problem...
As Gman says "Your window may need structural steel at midways horizontal due to wind loading" and a couple of potential suppliers have mentioned that to me but you should ask your architect or whoever is signing off on the build as well as the window companies.....But the windows company you finally choose will tell you what they need when they are measuring up....

regards

Quack13

Technophobe wrote: »

Hi Quack 13,

I have started on my build and have a very very similar set up at the back of my house...like you this room will be a dining room which I have made as a step down from a kitchen adjoining it....

I have got quotes from a number of window companies and none have referred to it as being a major problem...
As Gman says "Your window may need structural steel at midways horizontal due to wind loading" and a couple of potential suppliers have mentioned that to me but you should ask your architect or whoever is signing off on the build as well as the window companies.....But the windows company you finally choose will tell you what they need when they are measuring up....

regards

thanks Technophobe.

What stage are you at with your build..I would be interested to hear how you are getting on with the windows and what companies you spoke to.

Good luck with it!

Q

Technophobe

Quack13 wrote: »

thanks Technophobe.

What stage are you at with your build..I would be interested to hear how you are getting on with the windows and what companies you spoke to.

Good luck with it!

Q

I will send you a PM later today or tomorrow, if that's ok...

Quack13

Yeah thats perfect!
Thanks.

Q

Carlow52

Quack13 wrote: »

Yes I play basketball and am an avid astronomer.

We also like the feel of this type of room...hope that's ok with you

Thanks, I always spec the double height for the indoor full size basket.

I wondered why you would need double height to see a city at night unless u have a mezz floor inside

I trust u have considered the heating costs of such a setup, apart from the additional up front roof costs, not to mention the windows themselves.

Anyway keep shootin, and gazin:)

Quack13

Carlow52 wrote: »

Thanks, I always spec the double height for the indoor full size basket.

I wondered why you would need double height to see a city at night unless u have a mezz floor inside

I trust u have considered the heating costs of such a setup, apart from the additional up front roof costs, not to mention the windows themselves.

Anyway keep shootin, and gazin:)

We had planned for a mezz in the room actually...not sure if we are going ahead with it now though.

I do hear you on the heating front..it's something I have been wondering about.
I guess because it's kitchen/dining area and is south facing and getting sun for most of the day we were hoping this might alleviate the heat issues.

I would definitely be interested in hearing peoples opinions on this.

With a double height room, fully glazed south facing back wall, will we find it extremely difficult to heat? Also if we are thinking of getting underfloor heating throughout house...is this is a wasted exercise in this particular room?

Carlow52

Excessive Solar gain in summer, IMO, will be an issue unless u address it at design stage: u may need to add an additional overhang on the roof or one horizontally at about 2.4 meters.
The shading is best done from outside the glass.

Quack13

Carlow52 wrote: »

Excessive Solar gain in summer, IMO, will be an issue unless u address it at design stage: u may need to add an additional overhang on the roof or one horizontally at about 2.4 meters.
The shading is best done from outside the glass.

interesting..that is something I hadn't considered.
Do you think that is something that would be a major issue?

What exactly is a horizontal overhang at 2.4m? do you have links to an example.

sorry for all the questions!

Carlow52

google for sun shade sun shading
see images at http://www.apasystems.ie/products.asp?SectionID=4

the 2.4 was chosen as I expect the A part to start there.[ bottom of triangle and u will have a steel beam there anyway to hang it off]

Yes I do believe it will be a problem: I have it:) and am trying to fix it this summer

external vertical roller blind will work either, loads in europe.

Wonky Knees

Hi Quack13,
I'm doing something similar. The architect/engineer is the best person to answer the structural issue. The solar issue can be addressed by additions to the cladding or with special glass.

I'm using sash to the front and high windows to the back. I've sourced a number of interesting companies here and in Sweden for rear windows, having more problems with the front sash since I want to triple glaze everything. PM me and we can swap notes on sources.