Advice on replacing very old windows

[skyraider1071]

Hi everyone

This is a garage that was built around 20 years ago and I’m looking to replace the windows that were installed on the building as one of them is cracked

Ideally I’d like to replace them with UPVC to match the door but I have a bit of a dilemma

I can see that the glass is beading from the inside and that’s the easiest way to remove the actual glass but problem is that I have these two massive steel cupboards that are in the way as you can see in the picture and they physically cannot be moved. They were cemented down and then further bolted to the concrete floor and the bolts are not budging

My idea was to either somehow manage to remove the glass from the front and keep the wooden frame and put a Upvc window within that but I know that’s not ideal. Or possibly try and get some old aluminium windows and install like they used to do back in the day where there would be a wooden frame sandwiching the aluminium windows.

The other option which I would prefer is to remove the entire wooden frame and go Upvc from brick to brick. The issue is I’m not sure if this window frame is at all tied to the structure or roof support of the building. The roof consists of 6x2 joists running across and I’m assuming there is a wall plate running across the front to strap the joists down but I know there is defo no lintel in place above the windows

The window sill is currently really just a piece of wood with a chamfered edge and is screwed onto the frame and I’m even having trouble getting that out as the screws have rusted and are stripped

What would be the best course of action here? I’m pretty competent in building work but since I didn’t build this it will be a bit of a retrofit.

 

[robinbanks]

Is that depth above the windows really only 6 inches? Looks larger in the pic. Does the view inside tell us more about the construction/linteling arrangements?

 

[skyraider1071]

It’s about 4 inches so presuming a 4 inch timber wall plate to seat the joists onto the brick work

I found this out when installing an extractor fan vent and was drilling into half brick and half wood whilst going through the wall plate

 

[I'm not a robot]

If you can't get to the glazing beads to remove existing glass then you won't be able to glaze the new glass as the beads will also be internal.

Sorry that's not much help to you but just thought to point it out.

 

[skyraider1071]

If you can't get to the glazing beads to remove existing glass then you won't be able to glaze the new glass as the beads will also be internal.

Sorry that's not much help to you but just thought to point it out.

I was thinking to get windows which have an opening, and then have all the glass installed within the window and then just put it in the opening and then fix it by opening the actual window

I understand I can’t bead a fixed window unless it’s an older style one with external beading but I could possible get a window with an opening and screw it in like that

 

[johnny2007]

Get a local uPVC window company to replace them.
They've come across things like this many times and will do the job in no time.

 

[skyraider1071]

Get a local uPVC window company to replace them.
They've come across things like this many times and will do the job in no time.

Got a guy coming tomorrow to replace our neighbours door so perfect timing to see what he can quote us, will let everyone know!