Is this good enough?

[RalphSparkle]

Hi, I've had some work done on the house recently, which included adding new windows and sliding doors. In the two cases shown in these photos, the builder's have partially framed the windows/doors in wood. This wood will be covered with plastic or painted wood to make some protection from the elements. However, over time I'm worried that over time the wood will degrade, and that the structural integrity will be compromised. Am I right to be worried? Should I demand that the wood is replaced by brickwork or similar?

Link to photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LHggsrnTRXG4KCQo6

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It's fairly normal to pack out gaps with wood then clad over it. That tile-hung wall will be all timber inside anyway, which will all be older and possibly not even treated. So your new wood should be the last bit of wood in the area to rot away.

But for the doors, is this a new opening? What exactly is spanning the gap, it looks like there should be a lintel there. It's a heck of a span, imagine a foot of snow or a burly roofer sitting up there. But it's possible it's all been taken care of inside the flat roof structure, if it's all new. Has an architect and/or building control been involved?

I can't tell from the photo, does the wood continue into the brickwork at the sides of the doors? If so it's difficult to see how it could ever look normal, even if clad.

Is the interior ceiling the same height as the top of the door/window?

 

[slawit]

First off I’m not a builder, but based on the only photo I can see, the timber over the white windows looks typical of how you would finish of a fascia. As for the other window, it just looks like they have filled it with off cuts. I don’t know how they plan on finishing this but to me no job has been done correctly when multiple off cuts have been used, not to mention sticking on top of what looks like chip board. I presume it’s not load bearing? There is also the question of insulation, I know it’s only a small space but…..

I would also be wanting to double check what’s under the fascia of the white window.

 

[RalphSparkle]

It's fairly normal to pack out gaps with wood then clad over it. That tile-hung wall will be all timber inside anyway, which will all be older and possibly not even treated. So your new wood should be the last bit of wood in the area to rot away.

But for the doors, is this a new opening? What exactly is spanning the gap, it looks like there should be a lintel there. It's a heck of a span, imagine a foot of snow or a burly roofer sitting up there. But it's possible it's all been taken care of inside the flat roof structure, if it's all new. Has an architect and/or building control been involved?

I can't tell from the photo, does the wood continue into the brickwork at the sides of the doors? If so it's difficult to see how it could ever look normal, even if clad.

Is the interior ceiling the same height as the top of the door/window?

Thanks. R.e. "Is the interior ceiling the same height as the top of the door/window?" It's about a foot higher, and then increases from there with the roof.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Is there a lintel on the inside leaf? Is it even a cavity wall?

I'm trying to work out if something is holding the roof up. Hopefully it's all been taken care of, but impossible to say just from the photos.

It looks like a pretty deep reveal, but I'm wondering if it's a shed conversion so that's basically a box full of insulation.

 

[RalphSparkle]

Thanks. Will ask and try to return with answers.

 

[I'm not a robot]

I wouldn't be happy with that, how do they intend to finish it? Hopefully not a big Grey plastic trim!

 

[RalphSparkle]

Just found an earlier picture, it looks like there is a steel across, so structural integrity should be OK. But what I'm hearing is that at minimum, they shouldn't be using chipboard, and it would certainly be preferable to fill those gaps with good wood. Is that right? As for the finish - I will ensure it is not ugly. (Thank you all.)

 

[Scally-Ho]

I too would be concerned about that large span of sliding doors and what arrangements have been made to support the roof timbers. If as I suspect, the timbers run from front to back, then there could be a big problem as a lintel or steel is not visible.

 

[RalphSparkle]

I too would be concerned about that large span of sliding doors and what arrangements have been made to support the roof timbers. If as I suspect, the timbers run from front to back, then there could be a big problem as a lintel or steel is not visible.

Let me know f the pic I shared would put those worries to bed. Thanks.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Ah yes, just seen the folded steel with the new timbers resting on it, so all is well.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Yep, also the reason for the reveal being so chunky.

My only real concern would be if the timber infill goes beyond the doors into the brickwork to the left and right. The first photo seems to show this but it's hard to tell as it's blurry and the bricks are multi coloured. But if so it will never look right.

It doesn't really matter that it's bits of wood, as it has no purpose structurally. They could have just put blocks at intervals and clad over that.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Looks like a lovely and very useful garden room. Good to see someone building (mostly!) in brick rather than the trendy wood things that will all be a rotten rat-infested spider hotel within a few years!