Original Sash Windows(not allowed to replace them)Any advice??

michellep

I have original sash windows in my property and due to the noise and extremely bad draft coming throught the windows I wanted to replace them for a double glazed version.

My local council however have told me due to living in a conservation area I am not allowed to change the windows and although I could apply for planning permission to the council they indicated that it would be turned down - a bit annoying as living on a large row of town houses we are almost the only house out of 30 not to have double glazed windows, but apparently everyone else did theirs pre 2004 when the conservation part was passed.

They suggested I contact a joiner who can put draft strips round the windows etc to help, but we already have a secondary glazing on the windows and we still get the noise and drafts.

Can anyone advise on ways round this or ways to improve the windows so we can stop the cold air coming in??.

Thanks.

ic

So you're not even allowed to get wooden double glazed sash windows that would match the existing, or are you just not allowed bog-standard PVCu windows?

fluffymuffy

Secondary double galzing? Like we all did before those sealed panels were invented.

edit - eg - http://www.secondaryglazing.org.uk/ (NB - I know nothing about this company and have just found them onGoogle as an example of what can be done)

michellep

The council said that if we have original windows, they will not pass any kind of replacements etc, unless the windows are beyond repair.

We do have the secondary glazing like in the link provided, but I have no idea how old this is and if this is a factor in why we still get the noise and drafts.

Maybe I need to look at getting the secondary glazing replaced?.

swagman

I too have original sash windows. You can do pretty effective draught proofing yourself. It involves replacing some of the existing bead with bead that has built in brush pile draught strip. This is virtually undetectable when done and does not affect the outside appearence of the windows. The windows also tend to operate more smoothly afterwards and rattles are eliminated.

The products I used were timber staff beads and timber parting beads, plus brush pile, which slides into already machined grooves in the bead (see online catalogue at url below).

Results were good so I ended up doing several windows
The supplies I used (and I have no connection with this company other than as a customer) were from www.reddiseals.co.uk.

Clive_Woody

michellep wrote: »

....unless the windows are beyond repair.

I have no idea if you can order woodworms on line, but this might be an option to consider.......don't various sort of termites eat wood too?

mickog

good thinking clive woody,I think its about time the windows got a dose of something that needs to be taken care of before it gets into any furniture or into floorboards or joists.

Jaberwocky

My brother has exact same problem. However, if replacing must replace like for like. I.e. he would be replacing wooden sash windows at a cost of +£7K.

He is not allowed to replace with uPVC.

Is there a cheaper alternative other than DIY as he is not the best at that -
are there firms out there who refurbish for example in the Glasgow area. ???
I cant find any.

Cheers

Airwolf1

Apply for planning, but make reference to the other comparables on the street? Maybe get a Chartered Surveyor/Solicitor to write to the council for you?

WestonDave

I'd agree with the above - also make reference to the environmental implications of poor insulation, carbon footprint etc. Speak to your councillors as well when you put the application in. Don't forget its not necessarily the officers that you speak to on the phone that will make the final decision and councillors have their positions to consider. If necessary and planning is refused an article in the local paper highlighting the unfairness of it, and the waste of energy in times when we are all being encouraged to be green, might shame them into doing the right thing. Frankly if all the others have done it, its a bit pointless imposing conservation conditions on the few remaining properties to say nothing of being unfair.

If all else fails a Dremel will produce a fairly good imitation of woodworm....

Katie-Kat-Kins

You can now get specific heritage double glazed sash windows designed specifically for listed buildings and conservation areas, they are often used in redevelopments of period buildings. They also incorporate safety features to enable safe cleaning etc.

I think if you research the options and put a logical case to the council they will find it difficultto refuse.

If the proposed new windows will look the same, as the originals and better than the surroundings but have improved efficiency, reduced noise and improved safety then it will be difficult for them to refuse to allow you to replace them. I should also point out that such windows have a limited life span, they have already more than exceeded this and even with the best care possible cannot be expected to last much longer.

If they still refuse request details of their appeals proceedures and aappeal.