Replacing sash windows cost

House_Hunter

Sorry yet another window question...

We are replacing our old wooden, single glazed sash's with new one's, the main reason being we live on a busy road and they leak noise like anything...

So want to get double acoustically glazed units....hoping for a big impact!

So work is to remove old woodend sash's and boxes (don't want smaller windows by simply putting new one's inside old frames) and then fit new uPVC frame and units.

There is 3 windows to be done;
- A 3 section bay with only the large central one opening; 60x160, 120x160, 60x160 (w x h in cm)
- 2x 1st floor bedroom windows both 120cm x 160cm (will need toughened glass)

Also on the internal side, would like the windows trimmed with woo and wooden sills....

Has anybody had their sash's replaced recently?

I have got some quotes but are all around the £5.5k mark - which just seems far too high!

chrisg1985

House_Hunter wrote: »

Sorry yet another window question...

We are replacing our old wooden, single glazed sash's with new one's, the main reason being we live on a busy road and they leak noise like anything...

So want to get double acoustically glazed units....hoping for a big impact!

So work is to remove old woodend sash's and boxes (don't want smaller windows by simply putting new one's inside old frames) and then fit new uPVC frame and units.

There is 3 windows to be done;
- A 3 section bay with only the large central one opening; 60x160, 120x160, 60x160 (w x h in cm)
- 2x 1st floor bedroom windows both 120cm x 160cm (will need toughened glass)

Also on the internal side, would like the windows trimmed with woo and wooden sills....

Has anybody had their sash's replaced recently?

I have got some quotes but are all around the £5.5k mark - which just seems far too high!

Hi House,

Firstly I must admit after you having a go at your front door I thought you would keep your nice original windows. You could do almost anything with them to uprate . Comprehensive draught proofing systems. Double Glazing the originals. Triple glazing etc etc.

I would think 5.5k is a little off the mark. If I was to buy those windows trade I would like to think I would get change from £2k. I reckon they would do the job for £4k.

On a note above £4k would buy you your originals double glazed/draught sealed. You should give it serious consideration before taking your nice old joinery out! Granted you will still have decoration costs but that's the price you pay for genuine quality that lasts!

House_Hunter

chrisg1985,

Front door was a great success - significant improvement and was actually really easy to do.

The problem witht he windows isn't unfortunately the draught isue (they are pretty well fitted) I think its fundamentally the glass....

The current glass is extremely thin - and as such I do not expect teh current sash's to be able to be uprated with DG or TG....

I did quick a couple of quotes to replace the sash's - but they were even more than to rip out entirely and replace with uPVC.

But maybe you're right - I will persist and see if I can find a better quote.

chrisg1985

House_Hunter wrote: »

chrisg1985,

Front door was a great success - significant improvement and was actually really easy to do.

The problem witht he windows isn't unfortunately the draught isue (they are pretty well fitted) I think its fundamentally the glass....

The current glass is extremely thin - and as such I do not expect teh current sash's to be able to be uprated with DG or TG....

I did quick a couple of quotes to replace the sash's - but they were even more than to rip out entirely and replace with uPVC.

But maybe you're right - I will persist and see if I can find a better quote.

Hi House,

Unless you have overly ornate sash windows I could manufacture and install new sashes rebated into the original box for around £4k + VAT. I would get a nice sized cavity in too and you could have uprated glass,argon filled, etc etc if you wanted. If I could post a diagram of how I can make your original box that's thin house a larger sash I would but I am a bit of a computer novice. All I can tell you is it's perfectly possible!

Send a quality decorator round after us and you've saved about £4k on total timber replacement and achieved close to the same results as a new box sash window entirely!

Please bear in mind upvc replacements would have a better u-value than what I have described but then don't look the part!

Cheers

leveller2911

Just giving my tuppenth worth.Fitting replacement sashes in existing boxframe windows can work but from my experience the boxes will rot quicker than the sashes and you then need new boxframes.It can be a vicious cicle.One common problem with boxframes is that they go out of square easily over time and then you need to plane the new sashes to fit and IMO generally looks pants.

Much better to bite the bullet and go for complete new Hardwood boxframes (including sashes).It makes an easier and better job of fitting draught excluders during the manufactering of the new windows rather than retro fitting.The increase in box thickness can be overcome easily, which you would quite possibly need if your existing sashes are single glazed and you want double glazed.I generally make mine 4-10-4 Argon filled "K" glass.

Like I said though its just my opinion..

OP If your quotes are for Hardwood(Sapele,Iroko etc) double glazed,decent quality brass pulleys,fasteners etc then I would bite their hands off. For me to make a "Venetian" boxframe bay window and 2 sinle boxframes with glazing bars I would be looking to quote around £6k at least and that would be +VAT..They would last for 35yrs+ and work well for years.

I would add lastly if your looking to sell the house in the next few years then it may be better to do as Chrisg says as its the cheaper option,but if your looking to stay there long term then go for complete new windows.....

chrisg1985

leveller2911 wrote: »

Just giving my tuppenth worth.Fitting replacement sashes in existing boxframe windows can work but from my experience the boxes will rot quicker than the sashes and you then need new boxframes.It can be a vicious cicle.One common problem with boxframes is that they go out of square easily over time and then you need to plane the new sashes to fit and IMO generally looks pants.

Much better to bite the bullet and go for complete new Hardwood boxframes (including sashes).It makes an easier and better job of fitting draught excluders during the manufactering of the new windows rather than retro fitting.The increase in box thickness can be overcome easily, which you would quite possibly need if your existing sashes are single glazed and you want double glazed.I generally make mine 4-10-4 Argon filled "K" glass.

Like I said though its just my opinion..

OP If your quotes are for Hardwood(Sapele,Iroko etc) double glazed,decent quality brass pulleys,fasteners etc then I would bite their hands off. For me to make a "Venetian" boxframe bay window and 2 sinle boxframes with glazing bars I would be looking to quote around £6k at least and that would be +VAT..They would last for 35yrs+ and work well for years.

I would add lastly if your looking to sell the house in the next few years then it may be better to do as Chrisg says as its the cheaper option,but if your looking to stay there long term then go for complete new windows.....

As always I agree with leveller to an extent because from his angle to is 100% right. The only thing I can see though is for the spec your talking about for five windows I would'nt even be interested at £8k + VAT. If you are then maybe you should give him the quote and solve house' problem of putting in plastic!

On a side note I am not sure if he is talking about a Venetian. Might just be a typical bay with side windows fixed? Eitherway it's pretty irrelevant because the cost I reckon will come up to nearly £10k + VAT.

One thing we will always disagree on though is the longetivity of the old frames. Most have been in place 100 years. Most will and can be good for another 20/30 without being unrealistic. Lots still have lead paint on and are practically bullet proof. I have installed 1000s of sashes into original frames over the last 10 years and can safely say it's a viable option.

When new sashes are installed into old frames they will always need shooting in. Some have more movement than others. Most people don't buy a period property looking for new build straight lines. Maybe you need to come see some of my work to change your mind .

In summary perfection = £12k inc VAT
Very good finish/spec = £5k inc VAT

That's only across five windows too. I think this is why a large number of people including me advocate salvage as much as possible being alot more budget friendly.

Please don't take this as an attack on new joinery because I totally 100% agree with you about the overall picture. What your suggesting is definetely better just costs more and budget not being an issue I am certain he would go with the route your suggesting.

Did you give my lead man a go? I am most gratefull for the site you rec and will be placing an order with them. I still have half a dozen boxes of gear left though

Cheers
Chris

bambammy

Find a manufacturer. They will have installers, or advertise yourself for a self employed Sash Case Window installer and ask him how much he will charge £, to fit per window.

Is your home in a conservation area ? What's the implications for Home reports having upvc box frames, if you ever sell the property.

House_Hunter wrote: »

chrisg1985,

Front door was a great success - significant improvement and was actually really easy to do.

The problem witht he windows isn't unfortunately the draught isue (they are pretty well fitted) I think its fundamentally the glass....

The current glass is extremely thin - and as such I do not expect teh current sash's to be able to be uprated with DG or TG....

I did quick a couple of quotes to replace the sash's - but they were even more than to rip out entirely and replace with uPVC.

But maybe you're right - I will persist and see if I can find a better quote.

House_Hunter

bambammy wrote: »

What's the implications for Home reports having upvc box frames, if you ever sell the property.

Not in a conservation area...so thats ok. What do you mean with regards to implications for the Home buyers report?

leveller2911

Hi Chrisg, Yes I have your lead mans number on my phone.Cheers for that m8.;)

bambammy

It's not in a conservation area, so that's fine. The buyer may try to get you to reduce your price as a result of the surveyors report, the buyers lender will also have an input before lending the buyer money.

Oh and BTW, I'm up in Scotland, and I work in a Sash Case Window manufacturers office and just recently posted out an invoice to a customer who's had windows bigger than yours done.

5 windows, new, Sash and Case, double glazed, supplied and fitted for £3750.00 plus VAT.

House_Hunter wrote: »

Not in a conservation area...so thats ok. What do you mean with regards to implications for the Home buyers report?

chrisg1985

bambammy wrote: »

It's not in a conservation area, so that's fine. The buyer may try to get you to reduce your price as a result of the surveyors report, the buyers lender will also have an input before lending the buyer money.

Oh and BTW, I'm up in Scotland, and I work in a Sash Case Window manufacturers office and just recently posted out an invoice to a customer who's had windows bigger than yours done.

5 windows, new, Sash and Case, double glazed, supplied and fitted for £3750.00 plus VAT.

Bammy can you send me your joinery spec I would give good consideration to using you. Thanks Chris