To block up a window or not

redser7 · 18-05-2021 10:32am #1

Hi,

We're getting a new Kitchen in and will be extending the run which would then cover where there is a window currently. See the photo - it is 1m x 1m. Straight off I figured we need to take out the window and block it up. But is there any good reason why we couldn't just leave it and install the kitchen cabinets in front of it? And save on the expense.

Thanks!

RoryMurphyJnr · 18-05-2021 10:41am

so if you look in the window from the outside you'll see the back of the press.
will look very odd.
I'd be blocking it up

redser7 · 18-05-2021 10:52am

Thanks. Well there really isn't anything out that window. Just backs onto other back gardens. I would pull the blind down so it won't look bad. I'm not concerned about the aesthetics tbh, just potential problems that I'm not seeing. Damp?

houseyhouse · 18-05-2021 12:57pm

That room looks dark enough to begin with. It'll be a cave if you block up or cover that window. I don't know if it's your home or you're renting it out (in which case you might not really care) but I would do everything possible to avoid losing that light. Could you not just extend the presses on the bottom and on either side of the window?

redser7 · 18-05-2021 1:09pm

That's just a sh*te photo. The room's plenty bright and will be even more so after we put in a new set of French doors

Just really want to focus construction reasons not to leave it.
Thanks

Deeec · 18-05-2021 1:27pm

redser7 wrote: »

That's just a sh*te photo. The room's plenty bright and will be even more so after we put in a new set of French doors Just really want to focus construction reasons not to leave it.
Thanks

If you are getting french doors that will bring in enough light I would block up the window.

Could you just leave the window and put cabinets up to the edge of the window. I wouldnt put cabinets in front of the window - it would look a very messy finish.

redser7 · 18-05-2021 1:40pm

Thanks. No, the kitchen design is final. There will be a bank of tall cabinets across the window area. Internally, it will look no different whether we brick up the window or not. Externally, if we keep the window, it will just look like a pulled blind from the outside.

raxy · 18-05-2021 1:48pm

Only thing I can think of is if there is a problem with the window & down the line it needs to be repaired/replaced would that be possible without access from inside. Maybe you could block it up from the outside if that was to happen.
We blocked an external door in our kitchen recently. We just left the door & blocked it with plasterboard.

Dudda · 18-05-2021 2:44pm

The u-value and thermal performance of the window will be worse than the wall so it will be a cold spot with no air circulation if left but kitchen units put in front. Kitchens are humid with cooking and with no air circulation I'd expect mold growth over time. The cost of blocking it up is tiny.

listermint · 18-05-2021 2:47pm

The upside down picture was pure annoying. But that aside I wouldn't remove light from that room unless you are specifically adding light elsewhere close by.

So no keep the window.

houseyhouse · 18-05-2021 2:50pm

I would also expect you could have a problem with damp and mould if you leave the window. You don't want that. Given you won't be seeing the wall on the inside you wouldn't need to plaster/paint it etc. so that should keep the cost down a bit?

redser7 · 18-05-2021 3:03pm

Thanks all for the replies. It's squeaky bum time with the quote so trying to shave off what I can. We'll block it up.

MicktheMan · 18-05-2021 9:15pm

Hope you don't install the new kitchen upside down this time:)

noplacehere · 10-08-2024 10:20pm

old thread but did you end up removing the window? Similar situation in our house

Shoog · 10-08-2024 10:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122489244#Comment_122489244

It will be a massive cold bridge if you leave it in. Will cause Condensation with only one route for it to escape - through the cabinets causing damp whatever.

Just a bad idea and it's not a big job to block a window.

noplacehere · 10-08-2024 10:45pm

it wouldn’t be cabinets in front of it in our case, it would be the American fridge so can be pulled out to access, clean and monitor. It’s a large fridge which more than covers the window. The window doesn’t get much light and we would be doing reflective film and blind down so it looks well from the outside

To block up a window or not

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