Double Glazing or Central Heating?

budokan

I've just bought a one bedroom flat in Kennington, London.

It's got 3 huge (2m square) beautiful windows which give character but let a lot of noise in.

It's also got old electric storage heaters.

I've been given a quote of £3k for double glazing (Zenith Safestyle)

And another of £3k for central heating (connecting, installing radiators + boiler).

Are either of these good investments - and will I get my money back when I sell?

If I had to pick one - which should I go for?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Budokan

DirectDebacle

Ideally both but with a caution re the windows. Double glazing with plastic frames is going to destroy the character of the windows which you rightly value and would be a real shame. Consider secondary glazing. This will greatly reduce heat loss and noise intrusion, but not quite as effective as sealed replacement windows.

Central heating will not only increase your comfort levels but will certainly, if not add value, make the property eminently more saleable.

Ditto for secondary glazing. I wouldn't worry too much about the noise factor. It didn't put you off purchasing it and tbh nobody is going to expect the peace and quiet of the countryside if they are living in inner London.

If I were to choose one over the other then I would opt for the heating.

undaunted

I'd probably go for the heating too. Glazing may make it warmer but not to the same extent as new heating I suspect

I'm not so sure you'll get the full value back on either (you can hardly take them with you so no great need for anyone else to pay for them in full is there? ) but surely your own comfort whilst you live there makes them worth the investment doesn't it?.

If you feel the old heating is performing adequately for now however then you could effectively have both - (existing) heating and new windows

vuvuzela

As a buyer, I'd definitely value good central heating over double glazing. Ideally they would be done in combination but heating first if it's not financially possible at the moment.

Pincher

Beware conservation orders on the "beautiful" windows.

Bi-fold doors on the inside of the windows.
You can get ones with tilting venetian slats.

Put perspex (lighter) or glass on the outward facing side of the bi-fold doors, so you just see wood from inside the lounge. With good carpentry, the new assembly can be air tight and practical.

I wouldn't bother with gas central heating in a one bedroom flat.

happy35

i would go for the heating, for the windows I would invest in some thermal blinds and heavy curtains to keep out the draughts in the winter.

I have lived on main roads and after a while you wont notice the noise but you will notice the cold over the winter with storage heaters. We had these in a property we lived in 15 years ago and we were freezing, it was rented and is one of the main reasons we ended up purchasing our first property

Pincher

It's a one bedroom flat, right?
So put one of these in the lounge, and open the bedroom door.

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/baxi-brazilia-f8st-gas-wall-heater/

http://www.rinnaiuk.com/rinn/assets/templates/shop/Downloads/3_Corporate_Downloads_PDFs/7_Fanned_Convection_Powered_Flue_Heaters.pdf