top of window frame is same height as top of wall

Stupida · 6 Oct 2019

So I am looking to replace bedroom window in our bungalow.

The existing window is aluminium casements in a hardwood frame.

When I was measuring up I discovered that there is nothing above the hardwood frame its just covered by the roof facia. The wall finishes at the same height as the top of the frame.

Can I just replace the window and leave the top of the frame standing alone as it does now?

Notch7 · 6 Oct 2019

The sub frame wont be supporting anything -Id be surprised if there was nothing above for it to be screwed to.

There must be some form of lintel or wall plate to take the rafters / ceiling joists.

That doesnt particularly matter for your survey.

Most sub frames are rebated, so is you want to replace with aly, you would need a frame with an odd leg that fits.

Leofric · 6 Oct 2019

I should think there will be a steel lintel over the window at the eaves ,IG profile lintels can be quite shallow.

Stupida · 7 Oct 2019

The internal wall (Thermalite ) has a concrete lintel on bricks (like a pad stone) and the wall plate is over that on a mortar bed.

The ceiling is down in the room so I can poke an iphone over the wall plate into the void above the facia and it looks like it’s just the top of the window frame there.

So it looks like the internal wall is taking all the weight of the roof.

The outside wall isn’t holding anything up and stops for the width of the window.

Can this a valid setup? Should we be worried?

^woody^ · 7 Oct 2019

Stupida said:
The outside wall isn’t holding anything up and stops for the width of the window.
Can this a valid setup?

Yeah just like on every single house and bungalow up and down the country!

Notch7 · 7 Oct 2019

Stupida said:
The internal wall (Thermalite ) has a concrete lintel on bricks (like a pad stone) and the wall plate is over that on a mortar bed.

The ceiling is down in the room so I can poke an iphone over the wall plate into the void above the facia and it looks like it’s just the top of the window frame there.

So it looks like the internal wall is taking all the weight of the roof.

The outside wall isn’t holding anything up and stops for the width of the window.

Can this a valid setup? Should we be worried?

typically a a pitched roof is supported on a wall plate which is fitted to the inner skin -where a window is directly below it would be expected to have a lintel of some sort as the wall plate is designed for fixing the roof timbers to, it isnt designed for supporting any load unsupported.

My guess is the that the sub frame is fixed to the back of the wall plate -either with brackets or a timber batten.

the fact there is nothing directly above the window frame or above the external skin doesnt matter....the fascia is fitted to the rafter plumb cut.

noseall · 7 Oct 2019

We trap a piece of 4" X 2" (flat) above window openings so that the window fitters have something to fix to and it makes the soffit cradling nice and solid.

Stupida said:
Can this a valid setup? Should we be worried?

Yes. No.

Stupida · 8 Oct 2019

When the extension was built the lintel extended from the internal to the external, it was a Catnic lintel. Also the bungalow across the street has two rows of bricks above their window. These are the reasons I asked about the setup, however, its been explained very well here so thank you to all who helped allay my concern.

Leofric · 8 Oct 2019

Stupida said:
The internal wall (Thermalite ) has a concrete lintel on bricks (like a pad stone) and the wall plate is over that on a mortar bed.

Stupida said:
When the extension was built the lintel extended from the internal to the external, it was a Catnic lintel.

You might have told everybody these things to start with

Anyway, you are now satisfied with the situation.

Stupida · 9 Oct 2019

The extension is another window I was pointing out that it had a lintel inside and outside

23vc · 9 Oct 2019

noseall said:
We trap a piece of 4" X 2" (flat)

What do you trap it against? The soffit carcassing? Rafters? Trying to picture it

noseall · 9 Oct 2019

23vc said:
What do you trap it against? The soffit carcassing? Rafters? Trying to picture it

Trapped down onto the top of the 9mm ply soffit board. We use slope cut pieces of timber (cradling) fixed to the side of the rafter down onto the top of the flat 4" x 2".

Soffsec

noseall
9 Oct 2019

NOTE: This image is the property of noseall inc.

noseall · 9 Oct 2019

23vc said:
Trying to picture it

The 4" x 2" timber is cut so that it is a couple of 100mm longer than the window opening and lands on the masonry each side of the window. We often have to slip this piece of timber into the cradling space prior to fixing the fascia and soffit, and temporarily fix it to the underside of the rafters.
We then release it and trap it down once all the fascia and soffit are in place otherwise you can't get it in on the longer window openings.

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top of window frame is same height as top of wall

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