Glazing a wall 2 m x 2,5 m

[mointainwalker]

Hi

I am considering making a bedroom wall of glass as above. The room is 8 m above ground-level and not overlooked but has phenomenal views.

Can you give me any tips on what the technical limitations for making windows is i.e. does it suddenly become much more expensive when you exceed certain dimensions ?

I have certain unusual factors. I live at 1400 m in the N. Alps and would normally be looking at triple-glazed, but think that would be a step too far - correct ?

We do not often experience storms but they can be violent when we do. The other night we had winds of around 80 mph and my house is completely exposed on the side of a mountain. The proposed wall would be in an angle of the house so would more likely be more exposed to suction than positive pressure.

Approx what U -values can be achieved these days with argon and low-e ?

Can you recommend any web-sites/forums that deal with this ( large areas of glazing )?

Since I have more or less single-handedly renovated this large stone-barn over a number of years, I am naturally considering the possibility of installing this myself.

Apart from that, this is a remote area with no real specialists so I would have to travel a fair distance ( 100 miles each way ) to get to a large city with companies who could likely help.

If someone could give a guide on price this would show me if it is worthwhile investigating further i.e. if it is GBP 200 per m2 I would go ahead but if it were GBP 800 per m2 - not inc fitting - then I wouldn't.

Thanks in advance

Forgot to say that since the wall will be to floor level then it would require toughening as a normal glazed-unit or would this be standard when you start dealing with large dimensions ?

 

[God]

2m x 2.5 is not the big, upvc with argon filled units should be ok, of course it all depends if the frame is just one big fixed frame or will it have transoms or mullions in it.toughend will be standard as it is going to the floor but dont really know what the french regs are. I can supply it for £200 mtr.

 

[foxhole]

Don't think the French have regs, Mayor seems to ok everything, especially after a heavy lunch session

 

[mointainwalker]

Thanks for that God. Looking at one single rectangle. New idea has door alongside so reduces window to 2m x 1.8 m.

Can you tell me:

1) Is warm-edging universal these days ?
2) Approx weight per m2 ?
3) Is a professionally-manufactured frame technically necessary ? I was thinking about letting the edges disappear into the walls. There would be a simple "frame" of battens and a rubber gasket to hold it in place. There may, of course, be things I am unaware of re necessity professional framing .
4) Would you recommend professional assistance for moving/hoisting it the 8m vertical into position or is it pretty resistant ? It would be a 60 mile round-trip for the supplier , hence reasonably costly.
5) Has low-e soft finish made a break through and is it substantially better ?

Hope I am not presuming too much on your good nature with so many questions, but you are the Omniscient One

Foxhole.

You are sort of right. Regulations don't apply to individuals, just professionals and since there is no such thing as a building-inspector, it is self-certifying. Having said that, all registered professionals are obliged to give a 10 year insurance-backed guarantee on their work, so that re-adjusts the equilibrium.

My experience is that they are pretty good but only 1 in 3 comes to give an estimate and they NEVER start or finish on agreed dates, so that's pretty similar isn't it ?

 

[God]

Warm edge is becoming more common but you can still get aluminium spacers that will reach the same u values as warmedge, its the glass that determines this, planitherm normally does not need a warm edge spacer.
The frame will come unglazed but i will get the weight per sq mtr in the week.
To get a good seal and to keep it energy rated i think a upvc welded frame would be a lot better.
Regarding lifting it the frame should not be that heavy and a few of you sjould be able to lift it in place.
Low e is pretty standard in the uk assume it is in france also.

 

[The Bullet]

I'm pretty sure it's usually 2.5 kg per mm of glass per square metre.

So 6mm glass both sides 30kg per square metre.

For all the difference the cost would be i would go for warm edge and planitherm with argon gas, that way you are getting the best performing glass without spending over the odds.