Style of New Window

[MatthewC]

Part of our plan is to replace a 60s metal framed French window with a new window, through which we will look out over the kitchen sink. The French window has a single door and a casement window either side. (The door was completely glazed until the electricians broke the bottom pane on Monday - see blog.)

My question for you all is what sort of window should I fit? The entire house has sash windows (two over two except at the front) all of which I am of course retaining; however the window space, once the wall has been rebuilt at the bottom of the door, is the wrong proportions for a sash window, being about 5' high x 7' wide. I do not want to narrow the window space as we need the light.

I have had two ideas: one is to have two sash windows (in correct proportions) separated by a wooden architrave, but I'm not really sure how this will look. The other idea is to match the stucco work around the bathroom window, possibly then with three windows.
The window in question is on the side of the house where there is only one other window and it would be hardly seen so perhaps another style would do?

Matthew
http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/

 

[AMc]

Without a picture it's hard to understand what you're trying to replace. If light is an issue wouldn't a double french door be an obvious choice (with no rebuilding of the wall below obviously).
Any neighbouring houses in the same style you can look to?

BTW RE your blog why isn't your Kurt The Destroyer using an electric wall chaser with dust extraction ??? Mine did and you could stand next to him without a mask and not notice a puff of dust. I was massively impressed at the speed and quality having previously based out chases with a cold chisel and lump hammer. In about 4 chases you'd have saved the hire of the machine in labour (though I'd have thought an electrician would have got one of their own).

 

[Penners]

a new window, through which we will look out over the kitchen sink.

How novel. Our kitchen sink is inside the house. :wink:

In your blog you show some sash windows that have additional fixed (?) lights on each side of the sliding sashes (the photo with scaffolding). I wonder whether a development of that idea might suit for this location.

 

[middi]

Is it me?..
I am a bit confused with the role that the attached photo has to play with the description of the text.

Middi

 

[MatthewC]

a new window, through which we will look out over the kitchen sink.

How novel. Our kitchen sink is inside the house. :wink:

I spent ages composing that sentence - I suspected someone would find fault with it! We stand inside and look over the sink to the outside, no?

Is it me?..
I am a bit confused with the role that the attached photo has to play with the description of the text.

Middi

It's the bathroom window that I mention in the text :?

 

[Penners]

I spent ages composing that sentence - I suspected someone would find fault with it!

Of course I understood it, Matthew! But I have to live up to my reputation for being picky and pedantic. :wink:

 

[middi]

Sorry Mathew for being a bit slow on the uptake.
I personally love that window and would replicate it if it needs replacing

Middi

 

[AMc]

Sorry but I managed to miss that the kitchen sink was going in front of the window!
A picture of that part of the house - before or during work would really help.

 

[biffvernon]

I quite often have customers for windows who know they need a new window but don't really know what sort they want. I usually ask them to send a picture of the whole house elevation concerned. Sometimes I use Google street view to see what local styles are common. That way choices appropriate for the building and neighbourhood can be better informed.

 

[MatthewC]

At last I have had the chance (and decent weather) to fight through the undergrowth and the ivy off the house, and take a picture of the outside view of my window design problem:
View attachment 1
If you ignore the scaffolding, on the left you should see my 1960s metal-framed French window which is to be replaced (note the broken bottom pane - see blog). On the right there is the only other window on the same side of the house, a quite nice sash. The back windows are all similar sashes, the bathroom window was pictured on the OP and the front windows are like the neighbours:

The question is: what style of window can I fit in place of my French window which would be sensitive to this 1830s house?

Sometimes I use Google street view to see what local styles are common.

My house is so overgrown that all you can see of it on Streetview are the bushes at the gateway!

Matthew :?
http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/

 

[biffvernon]

So you are going to remove the door and you just want a window, over the new sink which is to go in what is currently a doorway?

That opening in the wall is not an original 1830 feature I take it? So there is no question of restoring what was there and it is an inappropriate shape for a sash window like the others in the building.

You could have a central section with vertical sliding sashes and fixed sections to either side or, and this would be my preference, have a horizontally sliding sash divided into three equal sections. There's the option of having the central third fixed and sliding sashes to left and right or to have the outer sashes fixed and just the central section sliding. The choice may depend just how the sink and taps are arranged. One may be more convenient to open than the other.

 

[AMc]

Biff is an expert but my 2p'th
I'm not sure that equally split vertical sashes would work with the original sash next to them given the difference in lintel height makes that window much shorter?
You could split them 1/3 down to match the central rail, but that limits the amount of opening and it will cost about the same (I would imagine).
As the opening is clearly not original but you want to keep its size then I would go for something that is clearly a later addition.
I would consider a fixed central pane with side opening casements on either side.
At the end of the day I don't think there is a 'right' way, you might want to consider mocking them up in photoshop (or similar) to help make up your mind.