Tilt and turn french doors for Juliet balcony

[PJKB]

Hi,

 

I'm new here but have a question about french doors - we are converting above a garage into a bedroom and would like french doors for two small-ish (1450 wide) juliet balconies. I'm worried about security (particularly at night) as access would be straightforward to climb up. Tilt and turn doors seem to be the best solution and I can see that SPAR, Rationel and Velfac have products that would fit the requirement, but they seem to be designed without a bottom sill. I'm hoping that someone will have experience of this so can offer advice!

 

My questions are:

 

- SPAR windows are cheaper but you buy online and can't see them in a UK distributor showroom, but they have a 12 year warranty - has anyone bought these as we're on a budget and they look (on the face of it) to be similar designs/spec?

- Do people buy sills separately, fit them and the then measure the remaining aperture? The ones I can see are very flush-fitting, but we've been advised by a builder that you need a sill to take water away from the brickwork around the bottom of the window.

- Rationel and Velfac are very pricey and only come (as far as I can see) with a white interior, where we'd ideally prefer wood - is there a benefit to going with these over SPAR?

 

Sorry for the questions and I'd be grateful for any advice or comments.

 

[Mr Punter]

I have not used SPAR.  Velfac and Rationel do timber finish on their outward opening products but not inward tilt turn.  Cills are down to you to source although they will give fabricator details.  Velfac and IC can supply the product with a timber cill packer for you to fit the aluminium cill to.  Get the cills to project at least 25mm beyond the face of the brickwork.

 

I doubt Velfac and IC will work for you as the order is small and delivery is expensive.

[PJKB]

Thanks Mr P - what is IC?

[Mr Punter]

2 hours ago, PJKB said:

Thanks Mr P - what is IC?

 

Whoops sorry IdealCombi.  My mistake.  Very similar to the other 2.  Owned by the same group.

[PJKB]

Im being quoted £6k inc vat for two sets of French doors. If im on a budget (which I am!) are there any others that people know of that I should be considering? I can’t see many people who’ve bought SPAR which makes me a bit nervous!