John’s workshop

[JohnH]

John, I can't answer the question re this window but have a suggestion - which you may already be trying? Contact the local window installers in your area - also any firms making this stuff - and ask them if they are doing any replacement units of the size you're looking for... or if they have any miss sized ones that you can adapt the opening for. That's how I got the DG door unit and windows for my workshop. Also try your local Facebook marketplace... which you may already be doing... (bit under the weather today and haven't looked up in your thread to see if that's so)

Thanks Frank. Yes, I check regularly on FB Marketplace, Freecycle, eBay etc. A suitable one came up the other day - a few years old but never installed, DG, wooden framed (douglas fir, I think), right kind of size and orientation, had the sill with it, within an hour’s drive, only £65. But I was too slow on the draw, someone else had (unsurprisingly) snapped it up by the time I replied. There’s a reclamation yard near me which I’m going to have a look around soon. And contacting window installers for mis-sized ones / returns is a good idea.

 

[JohnH]

Personally I can’t think of a reason why you shouldn’t position a Velux vertically.
Or re-use the DG panels from old windows and fit them into a wood frames, they sell really good quality sticky foam tape to bed it all down with too.
Ian

Thanks, Ian. Good to know that the vertical Velux idea isn’t totally daft!
Re making frames for old DG units - great, cheap option, but I want an opening window and I’m not sure my woodworking ‘skills’ are up to making such a frame…

 

[JohnH]

Coupla pics of the way I built mine

Thanks very much for these pics and info, Rob - inspiring to see a ‘budget’ build that’s stood the test of time.
Think I’ll be heating mine with an oil-filled rad too. Seems a long way off getting to that point, though - still got to remove my raised bed and build a retaining wall first, before even starting work on the ‘shop build…

 

[Accipiter]

Thanks Frank. Yes, I check regularly on FB Marketplace, Freecycle, eBay etc. A suitable one came up the other day - a few years old but never installed, DG, wooden framed (douglas fir, I think), right kind of size and orientation, had the sill with it, within an hour’s drive, only £65. But I was too slow on the draw, someone else had (unsurprisingly) snapped it up by the time I replied. There’s a reclamation yard near me which I’m going to have a look around soon. And contacting window installers for mis-sized ones / returns is a good idea.

Sad to hear you just missed out on that one. One that I got for the 'Retreat' I built for the eife was courtesy of a DG window/door company on the trading estate at the back of me. I'd been in and asked and given my details. Two days later I'd a message they'd put one just outside of their skip (a walk in one) so went and got it along the the glass panels and beading. The only problem with it was it being wood grain effect and not white. Wife was happy though . They are worth asking and keeping in touch with - just popping in from time to time *on the off chance* rather than phoning... I looked at it that they'd be busy on calls making them money

 

[Woodbloke]

Thanks very much for these pics and info, Rob - inspiring to see a ‘budget’ build that’s stood the test of time.
Think I’ll be heating mine with an oil-filled rad too. Seems a long way off getting to that point, though - still got to remove my raised bed and build a retaining wall first, before even starting work on the ‘shop build…

The oil filled rad takes up next to no space and runs of a thermostat which is generally set low to provide a bit of background heat. As the workshop is pretty well insulated it stays warmish in the winter and the rad gets turned off in the Spring/Summer. I have one smaller window with louvered glass opening shutters, pinched off an old greenhouse and the single door (never found a need for anything wider, inc getting machines inside) stays open in the hot weather to provide a bit of through draft. I didn't even buy proper windows, but double glazed panes of obscured glass (aka bathroom) which were fitted into recesses in the side slabs. Much more economical than forking out for proper windows - Rob