needing new windows what are best/longest lived

leveller2911

wallbash wrote: »

How much is the bill for looking after UPVC windows ???
Answer .... none!

Ps sorry forgot the squirt of washing up liquid , when I wash them.

But the OP asked "Since she intends to stay in this house for the rest of her life, she says 60 years to go, what would be the best window material for long life?"

The answer is clearly European Oak, which will last 100yrs or more(apart from the glass units)

uPVC will not last 100yrs ,glass will also need replacing on or around 15 yrs too. The OP will need to replace their uPVC windows (if they settle on them) at least 3-4 times over the lifetime of the Oak..

I admit uPVC is cheaper and less maintenance but they won't last .

leveller2911

My personal choice is dependant on the age of house , if its fairly modern I would go for powder coated, alluminium clad timber windows , but if its pre war then IMO they should be timber windows ,purely because you can't make UPVC or Alluminium clad windows look traditional and in keeping.So many houses have been ruined with uPVC, they do have their place though in modern houses.. Its just my opinion though..:D

Inactive

leveller2911 wrote: »

I admit uPVC is cheaper and less maintenance but they won't last .

How do you know that?...they havn't been around long enough to be tested fully over that period of time.;)

Mine have been installed over 20 years, never needed any maintenance, other than a quick wipe down.

phill99

I've got DG Powder Coated Aluminium which was here when I moved in over 20 years ago. I have not had a single pane 'mist up', not had a rubber seal go and have only had to replace one hinge.

In terms of lonh life, then Oak may vbe the option, but its naive not to take manitenance into consideration. Upvc is vuirtually mainyenance free, apart form hinge / lock problems. But this occurs in wooden windows as well.

No wondows are totally maintenance free, so its a case of decising on a budget as much as anything as well as the look that you wish to achieve.

wallbash

. The OP will need to replace their uPVC windows (if they settle on them) at least 3-4 times over the lifetime of the Oak..

No they won't ... they are not going to live that long.

Forgetting aesthetics , buying a house with 'plastic' windows has never been my problem , its always location and size.

How much are oak windows to install and maintain ?? compared to 'plastic' over a reasonable time scale .Don't bring 100 years into the equation .. , we all wont be around to benefit. Even sixty years is unlikely .

phill99

I would hate to think how much oak windows are to install. I imagine there is not a lot of competition in that market, whereas upvc market is saturated and therfore highly competitive.
I also think the OP is being naive suggesting that they will never move. None of us knows what is round the corner.

leveller2911

wallbash wrote: »

How much are oak windows to install and maintain ?? compared to 'plastic' over a reasonable time scale .Don't bring 100 years into the equation .. , we all wont be around to benefit. Even sixty years is unlikely .

As with any job it all depends on how many are being done.If they are bespoke windows, then making 10 will work out much cheaper per window than say 2.
Maintenance of Oak can be relatively cheap, it depends on what they have been finished with origianlly.If it was a polyurethane finish then some work is needed but if they are Oiled then its a wash down,sand down and re coat with about 2-3 coats of oil.

I answered the OP,s question exactly, Oak will last 100yrs or more.Most double glazed sealed unit manufacturers will only guarantee them for 10yrs they do this for a reason.I have made and fitted hundreds and hundreds of windows many that were fitted in the 1990,s where the units had broken down.

Why is 60 years unlikely we are all living longer? and not all people buy a house as a way of making money, some buy them for a home.

wallbash

Have no problem with the claim of 100 years for oak.

Maintenance of Oak can be relatively cheap

A quick rub down , on a ground floor window , when you are fit , not a problem.
When you are an old age pensioner .. because you ( your example ) are still around AND its a first floor window a simple maintenance becomes a touch more expensive.

many that were fitted in the 1990,s where the units had broken down.

But we all know of some ( might I even suggest the majority ) that still look as good as when they were first fitted.And the 'plastic' of today is better ??? than that which was used 20 years ago.

leveller2911

wallbash wrote: »

Have no problem with the claim of 100 years for oak.


So I am right then? as this is what the OP asked?

A quick rub down , on a ground floor window , when you are fit , not a problem.
When you are an old age pensioner .. because you ( your example ) are still around AND its a first floor window a simple maintenance becomes a touch more expensive.

Agreed, but they will need to replace the uPVC windows which may need scaffolding , there are many scearios we could mention and bee here till eternity




But we all know of some ( might I even suggest the majority ) that still look as good as when they were first fitted.And the 'plastic' of today is better ??? than that which was used 20 years ago.

I wouldn't argue with that, but would state that paint finishes have progressed too and can last for years before needing to be dona again.. Take Dulux weathershield, the trade product gives an 8 yr gaurantee.

I'm not argueing against using Upvc , Im saying European Oak and for that matter Sapele will out last upvc by decades.Fact


Seems like we should agree to dis-agree ....

wallbash

Seems like we should agree to dis-agree ....

The important thing is to give the OP as much info as possible , so they can make there on minds up I think we both have accomplished that.

but would love the OP to get back ( forget that ) I wonder what the daughter will go for?
And wether in 60 /100 years she will know which way was correct