Sash and case window repair - HELP!!!

Starshines_2

I live on the 3rd and 4th floor in a georgian period flat. My problem is this I have beautiful old sash and case windows (victorian era) and whilst I would feel super guilty about replacing them with horrid upvc double glazing, I have several problems with them.. Firstly because of the height of my house cleaning these windows is a NIGHTMARE, secondly I face the sea and it can get pretty chilly but I also have traffic noise to contend with and the single glazed rattly poor fitting windows do nothing to keep out said drafts and noise.
I am aware that you can get the windows refurbished although I'm struggling to find anyone in my area (Fife, Scotland) to do this, but I am also not sure if it would be worth pursuing this due to the issues of not being able to tilt and clean them internally!
I don't have a huge budget but I have 8 windows all in need of a little tlc....
Does anyone know of someone locally who might be able to help or give me an idea of the sort of cost involved of repair Vs replacement???
Thanks!!

Escal

Your best bet is to get someone to recommend a joiner - preferably an old one who will have worked on this type of window - and ask his advice regarding refurbishment. There is probably quite a lot can be done, easily, to improve your windows. Also, many sash windows have a hinge fitted to the vertical edge inside the window. This can be used both to hold the window open and to allow the window to pivot inwards for cleaning and painting . If yours doesn't have these hinges it should be possible to fit them.
You could fit brush type draught excluder along the frames so it brushes against the windows allowing them to slide but reducing the draughts. If the windows are really loose a thin bead of wood glued or screwed to the worn edge will take up some of the gap. Rub the edge after with a candle stub to help them slide.
It would be a shame and expensive - to get rid of these old windows when a day or two of work could restore them to their former efficiency.
Good luck!

bambammy

If you google Sash Case Windows Fife, it will bring up a manufacturer in Fife. If your close to the Bridge side of Fife, for a refurb, Edinburgh trademens are an option to.

You could have the sashes taken out , refurbished. Parting bead/seals, brushes. Also, you could have thicker glass fitted.

I would email a few of them and get a feel for the replies.

When I first started working in the office where I'm at, I was bemused by some of the stories and cowboy tactics I was being told.

I decided to emailed several compaines with the same request. Day light sizes and a price for 6 windows. At least 3 companies replied back, hussling the refurbishment option. I never asked for replacement windows. Just how much for six windows.

If a company can not offer the replacement and/ or a refurbishment, I would avoid.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/informguide-sashandcase.pdf

Owain_Moneysaver

You can side hinge sash windows, in fact I assumed this was traditionally done in Scotland.

Secondary glazing is better for noise reduction than double glazing.

bambammy

Easy clean hinges are for bottom Sashes, and will enable you to open the bottom sash inwards for cleaning. The Edinburgh Hinge System is for top Sashes and enables you to open the top Sash.

Secondary glazing could cause an obstruction. If you have the easy clean hinges fitted to your bottom sashes, secondary glazing could obstruct the operation of them. curtains, blinds...movements.

This is an average price trademens in the central belt area would probably charge.

Repair - two new sashes in each window, fitted with double glazed units, get the parting beads and batton rods draft proofed = £500/£550.

Replace - Approx £900/£1000 each window.

If you find the person that actually makes them, cutting out the middleman....it would probably be around £350 repair....£750 replace.

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Attachments/Internet/Environment/Sustainable%20Development/Energy%20Heritage%20(Part%20C).pdf -

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Attachments/Internet/Housing/Private_tenants_and_home_owners/Homeworks/Homeworks%20leaflets/caring-for-your-sash-case%20(historic%20scotland).pdf

sashman

Try Sidey Limited they come to Fife
19 Feus Road
Perth
Perth & Kinross
PH1 2AS