Big window

[cadas]

I've just received an order to make a big window (3m high x 2.4m wide) The drawings that came with the order give a design which is meant to look like a medieval stone window.

It is going to be heavy, the mullion and transom sections are 250mm x 90mm and they want it in solid oak.

My question is how to form these sections to ensure that they are stable. I can do either of the following:

- Make from solid oak, but this would mean starting with 120mm oak, air dried

- Laminate the sections using say 3 or 4 layers (ie sort or like plywood).

- Laminate the sections around a solid core (possibly something other than oak)

Any ideas?

[mrgrimsdale]

Gorblimey. Sounds the sort of thing I'd say no to - basically because you are at the mercy of whoever 'designed' it: let him or her complete the design and decide all the details and the spec, instead of leaving it to you.
First off it's not a viable window. It'd be impossible to attach glass or dg units to such large sections, because of structural movement. Unless you had them in slots like a loose panel perhaps.
One way round that is to treat it as you said "like a medieval stone window" i.e as a structural surround into which you'd then insert windows as separate units: a frame containing a glazed frame, either fixed or opening. It's all down to detail design.
I'd do it all from solid wood.

cheers
Jacob