Steel windows

[h-dom]

Is anyone here experienced in the construction of windows?

I need to make one, only one for my workshop but I need to do it in the next two days so really needs to be using what I have laying around (the glass can wait). I can get hinges locally so no problem, I was assuming weld on would be best. The bricky needs it ready so he can lay straight on top.

I have loads of 50x25 RHS, a bit of 40x8 flat bar, some scrap 50x50 angle I can rescue and really that's about it.

How would you go about it? I need it to be 6'x3' with an opener on each end and a fixed pane in the centre.

I'm not a precision fabricator, but I have an evolution 355mm chop saw, angle grinders, a cheap gasless welder and an arc welder (I'm most confident and neatest with the stick).

As a last resort I could pick up some timber and do that but I'm not a woodworker either.

Suggestions and ideas please, thanks in advance.

 

[voipio]

There should be a lintel to support the bricks over the window aperture. The window itself can wait.

 

[h-dom]

Yes, there could be, but it's single skin and I don't want a concrete lintel or a steel one visible on the inside. It's only a workshop, and there are only going to be 2-3 courses above the window, so weight isn't an issue.

 

[Mick Annick]

Dom

I made the windows for my workshop earlier this year - 20mm angle for the frame, 20mm T section for the uprights and 25 x 50 for an outer frame. Glass stuck in with sikaseal 112

 

[Dcal]

Just make a rectangular frame out of your box, build the brick / block and fit a plastic or timber window into the frame later.
The steel frame will act as a lintel.

 

[Blobber]

Give Louth glazing in thames street a call they might have something second hand they have pulled out?

 

[h-dom]

Just make a rectangular frame out of your box, build the brick / block and fit a plastic or timber window into the frame later.
The steel frame will act as a lintel.

I thought about that but won't it look bulky with an extra steel frame?

And what width, is 50mm wide not too narrow? A normal window is what 70mm?

And what about a sill (external)?

 

[h-dom]

Dom

I made the windows for my workshop earlier this year - 20mm angle for the frame, 20mm T section for the uprights and 25 x 50 for an outer frame. Glass stuck in with sikaseal 112

View attachment 324072

That looks nice but I don't have any T section.

I'd like to fully assemble it before it goes in so I can keep it square in all directions.

 

[gaz1]

i wouldnt want to make them out of steel as there cold and a cold frame they can run water off of them rather well

wood or plastic is my go to for windows unless the frames have to be made that way for the area

 

[h-dom]

i wouldnt want to make them out of steel as there cold and a cold frame they can run water off of them rather well

wood or plastic is my go to for windows unless the frames have to be made that way for the area

Don't want plastic, can't stand it. Happy with wood but need to make it myself in the next couple days. Mortise and tenon joints presumably?
How hard can it be?

 

[Mikes]

Set a piece of angle on the inside face (projecting outwards) to act as a lintel. Make a timber frame to suit the opening to give you the size and then make your window at your leisure rather than have to panic. You will obviously see the angle on the inside but from outside nothing when the proper window is installed. For your 6 feet width, the angle will need to be fairly thick to avoid sagging. Could always weld the 40 x 8 to it to add rigidity.

 

[Onoff]

That looks nice but I don't have any T section.

Make some?

 

[gaz1]

Don't want plastic, can't stand it. Happy with wood but need to make it myself in the next couple days. Mortise and tenon joints presumably?
How hard can it be?

its easy to do just depends on the wood you use

router and table saw with a planner is all you need for a window frame build

 

[the snooper]

Surely you only need a lintel for above and a rough but square / true timber frame for the bricky to continue, a steel window frame is going to cause condensation

 

[Gritineye]

No need for anything at all for a decent bricky to form an opening and stick a single skin catnic lintel on top.

L Type Single Leaf Lintel | Lintels - ACS Stainless Steel

ACS have designed the L Type Single Leaf Lintel for the supporting of loads over openings, half-brick to full brick width or in or block wall construction.

acsstainless.co.uk

And relax...

 

[pedrobedro]

Make a frame out of 3x2 planed, quadrant inside to put the glass up to then another quadrant outside to hold the glass in. Clear mastic on then put the glass up to it and mastic the outside quadrant to it.

 

[Onoff]

You could run a slitting disc up the box to get angles/flats then make Ts...

 

[winchman]

I would have thought it easer to just buy an off the shelf window, get the building water tight then make your own and change it

 

[h-dom]

Where sells off the shelf timber windows nowadays? All the usual places I've looked say 30 day lead time....

 

[the snooper]

Where sells off the shelf timber windows nowadays? All the usual places I've looked say 30 day lead time....

Market Place etc used upvc may not be exact but you may get one close enough and wont lose as much heat if you plan on using heat in there