How difficult and expensive is it to add in a window?

[HahaHarrie]

Just wondering if anyone has punched a window in a cavity brick wall on the side of their house?

We are having a 4 metre rear extension and although we'll have a large roof light and French doors into the garden I am concerned about the 'middle' room having no windows (it will be a 7.5 m stretch altogether). I was thinking about adding a window above eyeline (I think these are called celestial windows?) preserving both ours and the neighbour's privacy. The neighbours are about 3 metres away. The window might not even let that much light in as the garden is North East facing but at least we'll be able to see the sky.

I know we will have the expensive of needing to get additional planning permission and updated drawings, but no idea about the windows themselves.

Is this very expensive, difficult? Or is it better/just as effective to invest in good lighting?

Thanks.

We had two (separate) windows put into our en suite and downstairs loo (both on external walls) when we moved here so certainly do-able. I seem to remember asking our builder if it would be feasible/possible, and his reply was something like "anything ' s possible if you have enough money!" Which brings me to your question about cost - I'm really sorry but I can't remember how much it was (it was over 15 years ago) but the very fact we went ahead and had them done suggests it can't have been too horrific. I would always prefer natural light, and possibility of fresh air, if funds stretch.

We did a similar extension to what you're planning, Haha. Despite realising that the now middle room would be gloomier, we thought that there'd be more light than there is - it is necessary to have a light on during the day and so we only use that room at night. It feels like being in a box and so, after living with it for a few years, we plan to have a window fitted above eye level. We've not yet fully investigated it, but did ask a builder we know if it was possible and roughly what the cost would be and he thought around £500, he didn't think it would be an especially difficult job. We don't have cavity walls so no idea what effect they would have on price, etc. HTH a little bit.

Thanks for your replies. I'm definitely going to investigate further. Just wish I thought of if before we went to planning first time around!

Don't know about cost as I have done it myself, but it is not a huge job provided you have decent access from both sides. You just put in support, make a hole, put in a lintel, seal in the window and make good any renders on the outside. If no renders then you need something for the finishing (some sort of surround, most likely).

Can be done in a day or two at most, unless the walls are insanely thick (the opening in the 6foot wide wall was a bit of an operation...)

A clerestory window will cost more I suspect, as it will need something quite strong for a lintel (steel maybe) given the extra width compared to a normal window. It depends how long you want to make it obviously. It might be worth chatting to a structural engineer about it.

Done if in wall and roof. Both took a day and £500-1000 for big windows. Worth every penny