Timber frame house and replacing window with patio doors

Hi,

I’m thinking about buying a timber frame house and I’m wondering whether it would be possible (cost?) to replace a window with patio doors. The house is 30 years old and the window is at the right height. I know this is a fairly easy job in traditionally built houses but what about the timber frame ones? Could you please advise?

Yes. For a carpenter, it’s much easier to install a patio door in a timber frame wall rather than one made of block and cement. Much less weight to hold up while it’s being installed too.

Even if your timber frame was oak, it would be straightforward for someone who knew what they were doing.

A wet builder might say the opposite.

Among many other things, I am a carpenter, oakwright and wooden boatbuilder, so anything is possible if the cost is acceptable. As to how much it would cost in your particular instance, there are many variable factors that will affect the time and materials required to do the job, including the quality of the joinery / patio doors you choose to go with, the type of external and internal wall and floor finishes to make good, painting, finishing etc etc. Also depends where you are, geographically as labour rates obviously differ a little around the country.

I’m not even going to take a stab at guessing how much it would cost without a more detailed brief from you, but take it as read that it is indeed possible and the costt would be small compared to the purchase price of your house.

BTW, houses were traditionally made of wood. Our fascination with bricks and mortar as building materials for the masses only came about after the fire of London in 1666.

Now read the original spec from when the house was built. Design life. Prob 30 years.

Now weep!

Which is probably only a decade or possibly two less than the majority of new built bricks and mortar developments built over the last 10 – 15 years.

Second or third term mortgagee’s will find that fun!

Timber frame with brick/block outer skin or a timber house?

Both are very different.

Thank you for your replies.

Here’s the home report
Home Report
It says “The property is constructed from cavity construction outer walls having a facing brick and block outer leaf part rendered externally and a structural timber frame inner leaf.”

The design life and possible issues with the insurance (that people mention on other forums) put me off a little bit… :/

So are you saying the house would be worthless in the next 30 years or so?

You’ll be fine with that house. I’ll buy it off you in 30yrs for £10 That way it won’t be worthless.