Hi J B We sell genuine Crittall steel windows and doors and due to the exquisite quality and hand finished manufacturing process, they do come at a premium price. When you compare Crittall with alternative aluminium products though, I think you will agree, Crittall is in a league all of its own! The greater strength of steel allows for much thinner frames, meaning more glass and unspoilt views. Although Crittall have been around for nearly two centuries, their product is thoroughly modernised... Double glazed thermally efficient windows, hot-dip zinc galvanised steel frames, powder coated finish in Duralite to any RAL colour - All contributing to a beautiful product that is almost entirely maintenace free! If you want to discuss your project with our team, we can provide you with quotes for Crittall (and suitable alternative products if you wish), but have a look at the brochures available on our website before you make a decision. YES Glazing Solutions

Hi Jonathan, A nice big span like that will really open up the extension to the outdoor space and will look amazing. Crittall will provide the style and class, and with the wide span I would look at putting maybe three sets of double doors seperated by frames so on a nice day you can open all three sets of doors and get a real link to the outside. They'll be quick and easy to shut and you can adopt just the one double door as your frequent use door if the weather is unkind. See our website for more information on Crittall Doors and Windows and download the brochures. The example photo shows two sets of double doors in frames over a six meter span. Note: One more thing to consider is the lead time - Crittall has a lead time of 16-20 weeks, so if you do plan on installing Crittall, get the order in within plenty of time. Bifolding doors do not need to look so modern and (dare I say) a bit sterile - horizontal glazing bars can provide the contemporary look if you are after the Crittall style. The big advantage of bifolds is you can get a clear 95% width opening, so in good weather, you really are at one with the outdoors. You should either look to fit an odd number of doors all folding to one side so you can have one frequent use "traffic" door, or an even number of doors split in the middle so you can have two traffic doors in the middle that act like standard patio doors. (With big span like your plans show, I'd go for the latter.) To carry off the industrial look, you would need to get bifold doors with very fine sightlines, such as Sunflex SF55, with proper horizontal glazing bars (not superficial stick on bars). See the bifolding doors available on our website. If budget is a concern (big extension projects can quickly run away with costs) then you may wish to consider something like the "Heritage Aluminium" range, which matches the contemporary style of steel windows, but comes at an aluminium price. Perhaps not quite as prestige or exquisite as steel, but a very popular product with some good advantages. The YES Glazing Solutions staff will be happy advise and assist, and we can provide a no obligation quote after a few simple questions on the telephone. I wish you the very best with what will undoubtedly be a fabulous project Jonathan.

Hello, if you don't want sight lines then I wouldn't have Crittall to be honest (unless you wanted Crittall without the cross bars of course?? as they are super busy and won't give you a clear view of the garden) We opted to go for bi-folds with slimmer sight lines and wider panes so there would be less lines. On your size opening, it would take 3 bi-fold panes which means the central one is just glass. If you had sliding doors then you would likely have 2 panels with the bar being right in the middle (unless you can slide them into pocket doors!) Bi-folds - they even do frame-less bi-folds now or ones with the lines super narrow so I would get prices for those. It also depends on your garden - as you say, because we had the bi-folds leading directly onto a patio area. If you have to step down then the garden will feel quite separate anyway and so you don't benefit from having an open 'room' as you would with a semi flush or flush threshold and bi-folds doors. In that case, Alu french doors with side panels that don't have all the cross bars would likely be the cheapest option for you.

hi Rhian, there are a number of considerations in choosing a lintel for a window or door opening: size of opening what is the loss bearing capacity of the existing wall. is it in good condition. what does it need to support. is it a solid or cavity wall. what are your future plans as far as extending. are the foundations able to take the additional load imposed. these are second nature to a structural engineer, who will have insurance to back any mistakes in selection. if you rely on a choice from someone, you have no recourse if you get problems. any alterations to a building require building control approval to ensure the work does not ruin the building stock of the country this is generally why our ageing building stock is still standing. the planning side may be ok of you arent opening onto a side which will create an overlooking situation with a neighbour. Again you should check, as if this is installed without the correct approval you could cause problems when you are looking to sell the property and move on. sorry to seem so harsh,but professionals spend a lot of years getting qualified to resolve problems. some builders have no qualifications, or a single trade qualification together with experience, which is no bad thing. The thing they do require is direction or mistakes are made,which can be costly for the homeowner. A structural engineer will cost a couple of hundred pounds and will provide peace of mind!! give your building control/ planning dept a call and check. best Rowland you should use a professional and ensure you use the right