Two windows to replace one window for partitioned room?

[The Riviera Kid]

Hi folks, first of all, I hope this isn't too daft a sounding question....

Basically we could do with partitioning one long room with a single window in the middle (the window is around 2m wide) into two smaller rooms. The simplest way to do it, while retaining a window in each room, would appear to be to put two windows into the current space, maybe bricking up a space down the middle, then running a stud wall down the middle.

However I recall being a tenant in a house around 10 years ago where a similar long room was partitioned into two by what looked like two windows in one space, with a timber piece down the middle and a upvc fascia trim piece stuck/clipped over the middle (I recall this as it was originally hanging off when we first moved in).

I've since noticed a number of local houses with a similar arrangement - one space for a window, and what looks like two windows with a piece of upvc trim of some description down the middle.

Can anyone offer any information as to whether this is a common way to partition one large room with a large window into two smaller rooms. It would save a lot of hassle if we could simply partition the room at the same time has having the windows changed.

Thanks in advance, hope it's not too silly a question.

 

[gorgeousgordy]

I have seen what you describe several times and always assumed it was just a cheap bodge. I can't see why, once you have taken out your old window, you shouldn't brick up to the lintel.
I presume you're notifying your LABC and that they will be able to advise.

 

[The Riviera Kid]

Well, funnilly enough I always thought it was a bit of a bodge also, until I saw a good 5-6 houses in the same street with exactly this configuration, and looking quite professionally installed (unlike our old house). The only real reason for doing it this way (from my point of view) is that we need new windows all round anyway, and it would possibly be easier for the windows installer....

....or might it be better/cheaper/easier to just get a proper pucker builder to install all the windows and thus do the brickwork at the same time?

Yeah, I'm starting to get a feeling for Building Controls now lol. Half of the stuff I planned doing to the house, I didn't realise needed any sort of involvement from them until I started reading up yesterday lol. I've already rang them to ask about something else, I think I might have a trip down in person one afternoon with a few sketches and ideas for other stuff I have.