Replacing large window with Wall and smaller window

[Slarty]

Hi All,

Hoping I can take advantage of the wealth of knoweldge you all offer, I am considering puchasing an ex highstreet shop with permission to convert to residential use, within the granted planning permission is the requirement to replace the existing large display window with a rendered wall with a more suitable residential size window, the size of the existing window is approx 4m x 2m. Can I get advice on what construction/mateirals I should consider for this? Any suggestions of approx price to have this constructed would also be greatly appreciated - I strongly suspect this will outside of my skillset!

Thanking you all in advance

 

[Ollie78]

Assuming it is a brick or block construction it seems like just a block wall would be fine, tied into existing wall properly and rendered.
You could probably do a timber frame with cement board and render that as well.
Might be worth checking for some more clear details and the expected regs, my parents had to put 350mm of insulation in their extension recently when the original approved plan was for 300mm.
Things like this can be a slight problem as the planning department will say vague things like "suitable residential sized window" which actually means nothing at all.
Then the building regs department will say something else and listed buildings / heritage department will likely spout utter nonsense if given the opportunity. Hopefully you won`t have to deal with the last lot.
Near me an old bank/office building was converted to flats and they basically just framed in the lower part of the floor to ceiling windows openings with timber, celotex and cement board and rendered up to the new window cill height.

This should be a pretty straightforward job for any competent builder (check references, see their work etc. etc. ) As for price this is very dependant on where you live and the window you buy but its only a few days work.

 

[Slarty]

Many thanks Ollie - thats reall helpfull and gives me some food for thought on different approachs.

 

[Jacob]

Hi All,

Hoping I can take advantage of the wealth of knoweldge you all offer, I am considering puchasing an ex highstreet shop with permission to convert to residential use, within the granted planning permission is the requirement to replace the existing large display window with a rendered wall with a more suitable residential size window, the size of the existing window is approx 4m x 2m. Can I get advice on what construction/mateirals I should consider for this? Any suggestions of approx price to have this constructed would also be greatly appreciated - I strongly suspect this will outside of my skillset!

Thanking you all in advance

If it is rendered then either will do; brick, block, both. Good opportunity to build in some insulation.
Ask the planners what they had in mind, talk to BCO, consult a builder, there is nothing to fear!

 

[Richard_C]

As its a window you will need a FENSA approved fitter or pay for a building control sign-off. A former shop, so it might be close to pavement or road, - as well as insulation you need to think about noise and privacy from passers by, perhaps traffic fumes if its busy. May be a simple job, lintel likely already good enough, but think carefully.

 

[okeydokey]

Is there similar nearby what did they do?
Consider having a nice brick wall with blockwork (as inside wall) then plastered so its a proper cavity wall and a proper room plus ongoing external maintenance is virtually nil and choose the bricks well so they match nearby don't go for cheap and nasty.