UPVC window on Concrete block wall

[mangop]

Hello all,
I heard that the UPVC windows would need a min of 6 inches wall + space for the grill work. This would mean that the 6 inch concrete solid block wall would not be appropriate to get a UPVC window.
Is this true? Please comment.

[blrsiteseeker]

Yes, by the time the frame and little allowance on both sides + grill, it will come to more than 6" definitely. But one quick question, where are these windows going - I am assuming it is on exterior walls. And as far as I know, most exterior walls are at least 9" thick.

[mangop]

Thanks!
yes these windows are going to the exterior walls...the question came because some exterior walls are built using 6 inch concrete blocks.

[tvsh]

If you go for 2 track UPVC windows you can fit a grill and the window on a six inch concrete block wall. The 3 track UPVC windows will have a mosquito screens and they would not fit on a 6 inch wall.

[sreekbda]

I have a related question. Should the window grills be visible towards inside or towards outside? Which one is preferred?

[blrsiteseeker]

i was told it is safer to put on inside but i forget the reason. One thing you should think of - if the grill is on outside then window opens inwards and that might be an issue if the rooms are not very large to set aside that space before placing furniture

[tvsh]

I have a related question. Should the window grills be visible towards inside or towards outside? Which one is preferred?

I have the grills inside and the windows outside.. If the grill is inside, then the dust settles on the grills only when the window is open, if the grill is outside, the dust settles on the grills all the time and requires more cleaning. Moreover the UPVC windows will have a small opening for the water to drain off. If the grill is outside, then it might hinder the drainage of water.

[blrsiteseeker]

I agree with Tvsh. The cleaning/maintenance aspect of grills will be more if it is on the outside. We too have it on the inside. The other thing is, your expensive UPVC windows will look a lot nicer on the outside with out all the grills visible.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi,
outer walls should be minimum 8" concrete block to avoid seepage.
Placing grills out side
Pros
will help you to maintain the window glass clean ,you can take the sliding shutters out and clean the glass .Most cases you would have seen window glasses never cleaned and the entire building looks old , the main purpose of clear outside view gets defeated in less than a year.
It also helps you to change the glass or lock easily in case of damage (this doesn't make much difference in case of low rise buildings)
Vacumming mosquito shutter is very easy.
Cons
Building will look traditional with all the grills seen out side unless you work a very contemporary style sleek and simple grills

Placing grills in side
Pros
will give a very contemporary look to building from out side, grills will be dust free most of the time (this is not a considerable fact if the grills are simple rods in straight lines)
Cons
grill fixing looks very shabby from inside when you stand very near to window (unless the workmanship is great)
You cannot use granite ledge fixing to give a high light to window
Cleaning mosquito shutter is very painful with grills coming in between while vacuuming, or u need to use blowers (this might be objectionable from neighbors if your window is very near to their)

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
www.ardesarchitects.com
ardesarchitects@gmail.com

[blrsiteseeker]

good points.

only one of them - the cleaning of mosquito mesh, we can have it made removable, so then you can remove and clean them. That is what I have done. They are stuck to window frame on a magnet and I can remove the mesh completely and wash them outside.