Double Glazing What Price? UPVC Sash Big Victorian House

funkyfresh3000

Hi again. You're help has been great.

Can I ask why you recommend hard wood? based on your initial comments about maintainance etc and the fact that you fitted UPVC to your own similar 'period' house?

We don't have a budget of 2k per window!! I don't want to pay 22k for the job!! That is just the top line we have been quoted for UPVC. Like I said, the "timber v UPVC in old houses" arguament has run for months at our house and we've concluded that there is more benefits to UPVC (i.e. low maintainance, longer guarantees/warranties, more durable and secure). We are in a position to buy hardwood if we wanted.

If anyone can point out any other benefits to wood over UPVC - bar the fact that hardwood would suit a victorian house better and add a degree of value to the property - that would be very useful

Doozergirl

If I had a limitless budget or even planned on staying in a period house more than 5 years, I'd put in hardwood windows. That would simply be my preference. They will last another 100 years if they are looked after properly and I'm a romantic really.

Some people don't want any maintenance. That's not my own view really. I like the opportunity for colour change or just a simple refresh that wood provides. And they won't cost £2k each either...

Ultimately it is old, rickety windows that detract from the value of a house rather than new ones adding. I think quality does raise people's opinions of a house and will contribute to it's value but probably not all that much. Unless it's comfortably a seven figure sum house, or a grand design, people are happy with well made, put together houses. They won't pay much more for the house being top, top quality. So I'd do it for myself for longevity, but not considering anyone else owning the house after me. You can put in a £40,000 kitchen but it won't lift the value of 95% of houses any more than a good looking, decent quality, well fitted kitchen.

villabadger

I have yet to see an old house that has had upvc windows fitted that still manages to retain the real character of the property. So, for me, it has to be timber windows every time.

An arguement for timber can be found on the English Heritage website - they have commissioned a research report into the thermal performance of sash windows. It makes really interesting reading.

I am in a similar position, with 14 very large windows to sort out - most of the sashes are not repairable but the boxes are not too bad. So, I am getting 28 new multi-pane sashes made fitted with 4mm glass and draught excluder strips. Boxes will be repaired, most of the cills will be replaced. All boxes and sashes will be sanded and painted with new cords and furniture fitted. All of the top sashes are arched.

All in, the final price will come in at £9k. Luckily, I found a joiner who has real passion for his trade - the quality of his work is fantastic.

One thing that is worth mentioning - as with most old houses, once something is removed you will usually find some hidden (and potentially costly) surprises. My concern would be whether upvc fitters would be bothered about any underlying problems that are found when the windows are removed.

funkyfresh3000

Hi. Most helpful info thank you.
Ahhhh, this is killing me because I know hardwood is the better option in terms of retaining integrity but the benefits of UPVC just outweigh timber. The bygone collection of upvc sashes are pricey but they are meant to be undistinguishable from timber even upon close inspection. They specialise in removing original sashes from old houses and replacing them with authenic replicas. The price you quoted for refurb for your 14 windows sounds incredible considering the amount of skilled work involved. May I ask which company you have chosen to do the work? And can I ask if you looked at any companies like the bygone collection while you were chosing your replacements?

Nothing is ever simple with old houses!

villabadger

I wouldn't consider using a national company as I can't see how they can give you the service that a local company can give you. My case is slightly different as I am having new sashes fitted to existing boxes which means each one is made to measure - none of my windows are the same size or square!
I am using a 'one man band' joiner who we discovered through new friendships - only moved to the area (Devon) less than a year ago. He had lots of photos of previous work - windows, staircases, kitchens, furniture etc, so we were extremely confident of his ability and quality of workmanship. He has built all sashes in his workshop and kept us informed with photos of the progress. Once completed, he delivered them to us to inspect the quality before glazing. The work is still ongoing but he works as though he is working on his own house and has great attention to detail. I really can't see how a national company can give you this type of service.
I have not heard of Bygone before your post. Having looked at their website - it is very informative and honed marketing-wise but I find it very strange that there isn't a huge photo gallery showing how good their windows are - I couldn't find it anyway! It is very 'we're the best', 'we've got this and that' but I can't see the evidence of really how good the windows are. I'm not having a pop at them directly - it's no different to the type of marketing you get from an company with a decent budget. The only thing I would do is get a list of a few of their customers and have a drive round to look at the work - from a distance and up close, if possible. You can then decide if they look authentic or not.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

funkyfresh3000

Wow, sounds like you landed lucky finding your window man!
I've been sent a bygone catelogue that has loads of pictures and designs in it. They do look good and have a design identical to our originals so we wouldn't have to go bespoke. Although pictures don't stand for everything (they can be doctored/bought). They are a national company but their installation is done by a handfull of local approved fitters., to protect the brand. Our nearest is in Lancashire and it's a small independant firm. Sounds like I'm advertising for them now!! Guess I'm trying to justify it to myself!

I hope all goes to plan with your new windows, it sounds like they are going to look great, and thanks for all your help.

And thank you to everyone else in the thread for all your valuable input!

sashman

I am reluctant to enter this thread but having thought about it, I am now doing so!

I appreciate the comments about masterframe and bygone because they are my brands. I dont advertise on the site (its not allowed) so I will limit my comments and simply say that I am very happy to help anyone, or give answers to anything raised above off line if you pm me. I would be very happy to do so online but dont want to be removed for promoting my own companies.

The only thing I would mention is that there is a new review site where people can leave reviews that may help you searching for reputable companies www.doubleglazingcompanies.com . It is new and not many reviews yet, but the idea is to be able to check the array of claims that companies make.

sashman

karimata

sashman wrote: »

I am reluctant to enter this thread but having thought about it, I am now doing so!

I appreciate the comments about masterframe and bygone because they are my brands. I dont advertise on the site (its not allowed) so I will limit my comments and simply say that I am very happy to help anyone, or give answers to anything raised above off line if you pm me. I would be very happy to do so online but dont want to be removed for promoting my own companies.


sashman

Hi

I'm looking at potentially buying a semi detatched victorian house and am just trying to establish what a 'typical' fitted price would be to replace the timber sashes with a UPVC alternative.
The adjoining semi has had their sashes replaced already approx 9 years ago, with UPVC, and to be honest, they look very good.
There are 7 sashes in total all look about the same size 1850x850, and three small casement windows.
I was budgeting about £5-6k here- would I be way off the mark?

leveller2911

[QUOTE=sashman;42896328]I am reluctant to enter this thread but having thought about it, I am now doing so!

I appreciate the comments about masterframe and bygone because they are my brands. I dont advertise on the site (its not allowed) so I will limit my comments and simply say that I am very happy to help anyone, or give answers to anything raised above off line if you pm me. I would be very happy to do so online but dont want to be removed for promoting my own companies.

The only thing I would mention is that there is a new review site where people can leave reviews that may help you searching for reputable companies www.doubleglazingcompanies.com . It is new and not many reviews yet, but the idea is to be able to check the array of claims that companies make.

sashman[/QUOTE]


Not spamming Sashman eh? "reluctant to enter this thread as they are my brands" But you will anyway........Happy to help if you PM me"

No conflict of interest there eh? Can't help yourself , if you were genuinely reluctant you wouldn't have posted..... Poor show IMO ..:(

Quick question regarding your link to double glazing comapnies , how is the site financed? given the companies don't pay to advertise as its a LTD company they must make money somehow......

sashman

Leveller
Why can't I offer to help people if they want it? A few things were being said and comments were perhaps off the mark, so why not come clean and say look thanks, these are connected to me, pm me if I can help further?

As for funding on that web site it says companies can list for free or pay to display their logos and accreditations etc http://www.doubleglazingcompanies.com/companies-signup/

Sashman