Windows & Door fitting

basement bedroom window

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 2.54 PM

I am in the latter stages of the process of buying a two bedroom maisonette. The 2nd bedroom is in the basement. There is a recess in the outer wall of the bedroom with steps and a window hatch (almost horizontal) which has been designed as an escape route. The design appears to be that one should be able to open the window and climb out. The problem is that this window is very heavy to lift and there is nothing to hold it in place even if you can get it open enough (so if there were a fire you'd end up trying to climb out with the heavy window resting on your back). To each side of the large hatch window are two smaller vertical windows which do not open at all. As soon as I move in I will want to alter the window so that it can be more easily used as an escape route. I know nothing about windows, but to me the possible options seem to be: 1) replace the double-glazing of the hatch with a lighter glass so that it's not so heavy 2) change the open mechanism of the hatch window so that it opens inwards 3) instead of altering the hatch replace one of the side windows with a fully opening window I have a few questions about all of this: Is this a job any glazier would be happy to take on or is it more complicated than a standard windows job? ie, who should I be approaching to do this work? Can you advise as to what the best option might be to make fire escape more usable? Thank you in advance for any advice Kate