Please help me decide which windows to go for

SternMusik

House built in 1996 (cowboy builders by the looks of it). Existing windows are softwood, thinly double glazed and painted white. The windows are not great quality and don't insulate well but their saving grace is that they are very nice looking windows (especially on the inside).

Previous owner hasn't looked after the windows very well. Paint is peeling everywhere, a couple of glazing units have failed, and some of the leafs need taking out, adjusting/planing, new hinges and new furniture (can hardly open them at the moment). All windows need the paint stripping back to bare wood and repainting (the weather has got to them). Estimated cost of this is £500+.

I'm thinking about replacing the windows (at least at the front of the house) with modern double glazing. I don't want the maintenance of wood so it would have to be plastic or aluminium. Options I have considered so far:

1) do nothing. Existing windows will last another couple of years.
2) spend £500 on exising windows
3) buy standard white uPVC windows which would come in at ca. £2000 from a local company -- ugly!!
4) buy premium uPVC windows which emulate the look of timber windows (https://www.residence9.co.uk). These come in at ca. £3800. Much, much nicer looking than standard uPVC.
5) ??

I don't like 2) because I would still be left with bad quality windows and poor insulation. 3) makes the most sense (some of my neighbours (identical houses) have done this) but I am worried about the sheer ugliness of the standard pvc. I'll have to look at them every day so have to get this right. 4) is a good solution asthethically but spending this amount of money woulnd't increase the value of the house (stamp duty threshold).

Any ideas? Are there any window products I have missed that are affordable and nice looking? I'd be grateful for any comments/ideas.

missprice

Aluminum clad wood framed windows.
Pricey but you may get a better look.
ERM I have 3 of these and its 1 really large and 2 med sized cost from memory £1800 fitted

Edit to add mine are triple glazed so cost slightly more

ed110220

I agree that standard UPVC windows can be ugly as sin, especially on smaller units as the frames are so thick and crude looking. If I was you and had the money I'd replace them with the 'premium' type - after all it's your home and you'll have to look at them every day even if at some point in the future a buyer doesn't appreciate them and would be just as happy with ugly windows.

SternMusik

missprice wrote: »

Aluminum clad wood framed windows.
Pricey but you may get a better look.
ERM I have 3 of these and its 1 really large and 2 med sized cost from memory £1800 fitted

Edit to add mine are triple glazed so cost slightly more

Thanks very much, I never knew these existed. You don't happen to remember the make/name of window system you have used in your house?

SternMusik

ed110220 wrote: »

I agree that standard UPVC windows can be ugly as sin, especially on smaller units as the frames are so thick and crude looking. If I was you and had the money I'd replace them with the 'premium' type - after all it's your home and you'll have to look at them every day even if at some point in the future a buyer doesn't appreciate them and would be just as happy with ugly windows.

Thanks - this reinforces what the extravagant half of my brain is saying

missprice

SternMusik wrote: »

Thanks very much, I never knew these existed. You don't happen to remember the make/name of window system you have used in your house?

Damn I should have known someone would ask me that,:)
So sorry I don't but later I can have a look may not find those details but might find name of company that did them possibly.
If you don't get a reply by tomorrow pm me a reminder ta

WestonDave

If you want to indulge the extravagent half of your brain have a look at Internorm windows - they do various timber, UPVC and alu clad options that are very efficient and look great from the ones I've seen. I understand however that they aren't cheap!

missprice

So very sorry stern, had no luck finding details at all.
Will have another try at the weekend as will be clearing stuff up then.
(Major building stuff stuck in the house so it does not get stolen /wet )
Anyway like I said its triple glazing and ALu clad, the company was west midlands based but I had no luck searching on net either, possibly changed name or out of business.

SternMusik

No worries, and thanks very much for searching for it missprice. I will ring all the local companies and ask what they offer with regards to timber/alu clad windows.

janian

I am also updating the windows in my 2 bed bungalow and Ive decided on UPVC. I've had a few quotes and two the firms Ive contacted have indicated that my present windows (which are secondary glazed aluminium) may have a scrap value. One of these companies told me that the fitters would take my old windows and share out the profit between them and as such the company made no money from the scrap value therefore they could not offer a reduction to me on the new windows. Does anyone know the approximate value if any of scrap aluminium windows? I am replacing the patio doors as well which are also aluminium. I have drawn a complete blank on finding out a rough value by interent search so would be grateful for any tips.

NVRAM

Just tell them you want to keep the old windows and fittings?