how can I install an extract fan into a window? how do I cut the circular hole?

Question

basement flat with no extract in bathroom (bathroom is at ground/ entry level, rest of flat with openable windows all one level down, no extract for kitchen downstairs either. There is no external wall to bathroom and no way of neatly routing a proper extract through to outside wall. There is a fixed light in stairwell. Thinking a vent in this might be easier to install than through external staircase wall. This would at least provide some ventilation to the flat. Any better ideas?

Answer 1

As far as cutting the hole in the window goes you need a specific glass cutting tool and you might need to unglaze the window to do it properly. It's actually probably better to go to a glass shop and ask for a new pane of glass with the hole pre-cut. Take along the extractor you want so they can cut the hole to the correct cirumference. If the window in the bathroom is double glazed then it will have to be specially made by a sealed unit manufacturer. Both trades will be in Yellow Pages.

Answer 2

Window Extractor Fan Installation

Answer 3

I dont advise you to try and cut a circle out of old glass it just works out to about 5% success
in new glas the pecentage is higher only if you know what you are doing first you mark an outside circle with a glass cutter then make two more each of decreasing diameter
in the center you make a criss cross pattern with the glass cutter
place the glass upside down to the cuts andtap all the cuts made
so you can see the break of ALL the cuts
place the center on a spike and carefuly break the center out of the criss cross

next take the cutter on the head use the cut outs TO THICKNESS of the glass and NIBBLE the glass to the first ring
DONT TRY TO REACH THE RING IN A STRAIGHT LINE
start with a 3" nibble lenght wise reducing til you get to the ring
breaak away the glass in segments of 1/3 at a time
repeat on the second ring then extra careful on the last ring
tools needed cicular glasscutter
ordinary glasss cutter
I used diamond cutter but I was cutting glass for a large builder smerchants

Answer 4

You must first remove the glass or it will shatter if it is old glass it may shatter anyway due to age better to go to a specialist let them cut new glass and put hole in at same time as glass has to be right thickness for the fan. Don't use a drill like some clod told you you will shatter the glass with the vibration of it

Answer 5

Without getting into all your detail, certainly cutting the glass isn't the way to go.

Removal of the window/light, whatever, and installing the vent fan in a frame the size of the opening, is how I'd proceed.

Rev. Steven

Answer 6

I would say remove the pane of glass and replace with a piece of sheet metal or plywood with the hole cut in it, that will allow you to mount the vent cover on the outside more easily as well.

Answer 7

If you have an extra slot in the rear, they make what is called a case slot fan... it just plugs into an extra power plug and works very well because it draws the hot air out the back instead of just blowing it around and sucking in dust. Check ebay... they are pretty cheap, too.

Answer 8

first part of question remove window and get local glass company to fit new window with hole cut by them for your extractor fan
2 remove window and fit lexan clear plastic replacement with hole cut by you for fan
old glass goes brittle so wont cut well so thats why i recommend new glass/lexan
Note there are now very stringent laws about bathrooms and electricity you may need an electrician
you will have to fit an approved type fan with isolator switch and it will have to be fitted to current specifications so i would go check before laying out money as this small job could get expensive

Answer 9

Any work, involving electricity and bathroom, requires an electrician. It needs to be part P compliant. Supplimentary bonding, main earth bonding, main equipotential bonding all have to be brought up to current IEE BS7671 standards. A NICEIC approved contractor should be able to help. Type IEE into your search engine to find your local approved contractor.

Answer 10

with a hole cutter , availiable in different sizes and fits in a drill with an adaptor