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We have a lovely view from the back of our house, as long as you look out of the bathroom window. I'd like to be able to see the view from my bedroom...
Does anyone have any feedback / info on whether the Velux type Balcony or Terraces are any good? Will I forever be chasing leaks where the thing doesn't shut properly? Do you have one and actually use it to sit out on?
Also anyone happen to know if I could add it under permitted development in Scotland? Helpfully "the Pre-Application Enquiry service for local applications has been temporarily postponed" and my local planning department. Only thing I can find is that I can add a dormer as long as the total width is less than 50% of the complete roof width - if I add another dormer it will be close / just over the 50% (the front is also dormer).
This is the kind of thing that has caught my eye
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And the offending roof
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Velfac windows are the sister company of velux and make various types of windows and doors for domestic and commercial applications.
Also rational make a similar type of product.
Those are 2 different things. The bottom one is definitely a balcony (just with an odd shaped door) and would need planning. The top one probably slips into a grey area.
Tried one of the top ones in a neighbour's house and it was really nice. Could imagine sitting there with a drink or a book. Not much space but just enough
Hang on, is that a cable car pod in your garden???
Sorry, nothing useful to add regards planning or velux doors I'm afraid.
I was thinking the same, bloomin gondola uplift from your garden? How the other half do live eh?!?
Hang on, is that a cable car pod in your garden???
Sorry, nothing useful to add regards planning or velux doors I’m afraid.
+1 to that, I can't add anything re velux etc but that bubble needs further explanation!
@sargey thanks I’ll check them out.
@nickjb yeah good point, I guess it’s a question only my planning department could answer.
The preferred option would be the second one with the actual platform outside, mostly because the direction you’d want to look out at isn’t straight out. Presumably with your mates one unless you’re standing up against the railing, like the guy in the pic, then you’re really only able to look straight out.
Ha, yeah it’s quite a sloping garden, much easier to jump in the lift rather than walking back up 😁
Some people have a summer house, we have a mini summer house. From Courchevel.
I think velux windows fall under permitted development in Scotland as long as the don't take up a certain percentage of the roof space. When they are fitted they don't stick out further than the existing roof profile so I think that's why they are okay. On the Scottish government website (I think) there are flow charts for permitted developments.
Let's just say I fitted huge velux windows into my roof space with no planning, just building control to make sure they are strengthened correctly
Edit: https://www.gov.scot/publications/permitted-development-guidance-flowcharts/
@neverownenoughbikes Cheers for that. I wonder where the line is between window vs window you can climb out of on to a platform.
Even a couple of standard velux would be nice to get some more light in and occasionally hang out of. I would have to take out a Large built in wardrobe though so want to maximise the benefit if I’m losing storage.
Phil5556,
Yeah the charts are a bit vague where you wonder whether it falls under roof alterations or exterior appearance. My experience of planning was a nightmare with the officer making decisions based on conservation area and listed building rules despite the property being neither. Hence, velux windows as we would have had a fight on our hands to get dormers accepted.
And thanks for the edit, I couldn’t find anything relating to roofs apart from dormers earlier.
This one suggests planning needed for a balcony, although presumably a balcony would usually be on the side not the roof. I’ll have to wait for planning to get back to me I think if I want the balcony type.
Yeah, I'd assume the velux ones that kind of fold out to create a balcony would be fine as the actual seating area would be within current house. Then when the window is folded up and closed it just looks like a normal velux window. Creating an actual balcony would need permission I'd assume.
In fact, if I remember correctly I emailed the council asking for clarification on velux windows and got a reply saying it was fine and if I wanted it in writing I could give them a hundred quid..... I just saved the email.
Edit: this was the reply to my email asking if velux were fine under permitted development if the didn't extend 150mm beyond the current roof profile.
Dear Sir
I can confirm that from the information provided you are correct. If you need this confirmed in writing you should
apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) Application which is a legal document confirming that planning permission was not required. The fee for this type of application is £101. You can apply online at www.fife.gov.uk/planning Please note that this is not mandatory.
Regards
Im not sure I'd want one of them.in my bedroom ...surely it would be open like twice.
SiL had one in a penthouse flat I'm the city centre. It was a cool view to open it and look out over the train station....then quickly close it as the cold wind howled in....
surely it would be open like twice
we considered putting one in during our extension works. I seem to remember the builder saying, £3k for the window, plus about £3k of work to the roof to fit it, including calcs etc for the warrant. For a window we would use 2-3times a year. Shame as it would have been lovely for the times we did use it..
Im not sure I’d want one of them.in my bedroom …surely it would be open like twice.
SiL had one in a penthouse flat I’m the city centre. It was a cool view to open it and look out over the train station….then quickly close it as the cold wind howled in….
I want a window in there anywhere, so obviously it will depend on cost etc. I won't be looking out to a train station, I'll be looking across the water to the Isle of Arran (plus a few houses between me and the beach).
You missed the pertinent point in the statement. The trainstation from above was a cool view.... The cold wind howling in was the issue I took umbridge with
Yeah fair point, it is Scotland where it's usually cold and wet.
It's hot & sunny today so I'm feeling inspired.
https://m.facebook.com/aberdeinconsidine/videos/4-findon-road-aberdeen/664952721300654/
Someone I know recently sold this locally....it almost sold me. - balcony velux at 2.40 on.....
But then I remembered I live in the coldest place around here due to zero shelter from any direction.
Some people have a summer house, we have a mini summer house. From Courchevel.
Velux......Yeah whatever, need more info on the gondola pod! How/why/how much/ do the doors still slam shut etc!
I was going to get one put in when we had the roof done last year. But the roofer talked us out of it, he basically said they don’t get used as much as you think you’d want to and quite often just the biggest possible Velux at the right height does as good a job. So that’s what we went for (1.2m x 1.4m from memory) and it still give me a fabulous view.
Oh and the balcony ones need a crane to put them in so whilst not that expensive the installation is a lot more. And you’ll need steels putting in the roof apparently to support it. They was another no for me as would have turned in to a vanity money pit.
Edit. Here’s the new window in mid-job (back to work Jakob…)
Someone I know recently sold this locally….it almost sold me. – balcony velux at 2.40 on…..
That does look ace. I’m not put off the idea yet. And tbh that type looks plenty open.
@tuboflard that’s interesting cheers. I’ll speak to the builder when he comes to do the dormers and see what he says about installation.
Velux……Yeah whatever, need more info on the gondola pod! How/why/how much/ do the doors still slam shut etc!
How: Alpine Accessories get a few from the lift companies when they upgrade & sell them off, bring them over here and sell them on.
Why: Wanted somewhere sheltered to sit, considered a garden room but the views better where it is and a garden rm wouldn’t fit there. Also wedding present to ourselves.
How much: About £2k delivered 😬
Doors: Only manually unfortunately! Maybe I should rig a motor up 😁
Velux……Yeah whatever, need more info on the gondola pod! How/why/how much/ do the doors still slam shut etc!
How: Alpine Accessories get a few from the lift companies when they upgrade & sell them off, bring them over here and sell them on.
Why: Wanted somewhere sheltered to sit, considered a garden room but the views better where it is and a garden rm wouldn’t fit there. Also wedding present to ourselves.
How much: About £2k delivered 😬
Doors: Only manually unfortunately! Maybe I should rig a motor up
@phil5556
Thanks for the info - I think it's a great idea!
Okay back to Velux's chopping people in half.