On 29/1/08 09:29, in article , "Tim
Lamb" wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 28/1/08 18:41, in article , "Tim
Lamb" wrote:

Why ever not?

We have simulated diamond double glazing in conventional timber frames.


Stone mullion windows, Grade II Listed building - think Victorian gothic.
We're having problems figuring out ways to put fly screens at the windows
and think they'll have to be magnetic to fit the iron frames. In summer,
I'd give my eye teeth for quarter lights in the windows, all of which are
casement! The downstairs windows are quite large, as are some of the
upstairs ones. Double glazing would have to be fixed into the wood beside
the mullions and would look appalling. On the downstairs windows there are
interior, folding shutters which would look awful and be ruined if we tried
to fit double glazing. However, we would not be allowed to fit it and would
probably be in trouble if the house police happened to check it out.

Ah! I see.

Have you asked what might be approved?

No, we haven't or not specifically about that. But my husband was given to
understand some years ago that no such alterations or additions would be
permitted.

Although Victorian and with leaded lights, this house is well outside
any conservation area and did not attract any attention when we
re-built. We stuck to the casement style and opted for diamond lead work
on the outer sheet.

I don't think we're in a particular conservation area. It's just that this
house was the vicarage and was built by Miss Champernowne of Dartington
Hall, as was the church. She gave the land and paid for the building. I
believe she later paid for the building of the CoE school and the School
House for the headmaster. The architect for church and house was John
Loughborough Pearson and it's probably that which has attracted attention,
rather than the overall area, if you see what I mean. That's not to say
that it's not a beautiful place with some outstanding houses in it but it's
my guess it's the peculiarity of ours that probably led to the Listing.
Much of the farming here is on Church Commission land and when my husband
bought the field behind us to make a car park, it hadn't changed hands for
1000 years!

Glazing regulations have changed since 1995 and the gap between panes
made significantly wider. I think our inserts are only 6mm (14mm
altogether) making the installation indistinguishable from the original
draughty diamonds. You do get different reflection effects from
Pilkington K glass which might upset the purist.

I think that would be a minor irritant, yes. But the depth of the chamfered
mullions on the inside of the windows is such that I think it would be 8 or
9" before a fixing could be made onto the wood and we certainly wouldn't
consider having any drilling into the stone. Double glazing would be
terribly obtrusive here, I think.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'