New Windows

MobD

Hi guys,

I'm looking to replace the bedroom, bathroom and the dormer window frame and glass. I'm not too sure whether to go upvc, hardwood, softwood.
I believe upvc is the cheapest and hardwood is the most expoensive.

I've contacted Aire Valley windows (in Yorkshire) and they suggested i go for upvc with Kglass, i've also contacted a couple of other local joiners and they are in the process of writing a quote for me.

Basically, i live in a standard semi that has the original stained bay windows and therefore a bit sceptical about upvc.

Can anyone offer some advice on this.

Thanks

never_enough

I prefer the look of wood over UPVC & then obviously hardwood is best. You do need to factor in the cost of painting every few years if you go for wood, but then you're used to that at the mo. At least you have a chance to recover from painting costs inbetween! Some people prefer the lack of maintenance issues that plastic has. UPVC is not necessarily that cheap, depends where you get the windows from. Shop around either way, local firms will often provide a better deal than the big national firms.
I've been getting quotes to fit an Edwardian wooden front door on my place (currently UPVC & vile). The joiner is planning on taking the stained glass out from the new door & having it fitted into a double glazed panel before replacing it. Not sure if that's possible with windows if you wanted to keep the stained glass?

momisa

I knew someone a few years ago who replaced their very old and worn wooden framed windows - which had stained glass - to white UPVC. However, they managed to use the same stained glass in the new windows.

I had oak finished UPVC windows installed last Nov and I'm really pleased with them. Another option I looked at was to have external oak finish and white interior but decided on the wood finish on both as I plan on changing doors and skirtings to oak eventually.

HTH

MobD

Thanks for your adivce, i'm awaiting the prices from the local tradesman so will let you know what the price difference is between a upvc and wooden frame windows.

garreth

Ok, you have to have Low e glass in windows as it is part of building regs, K is pilkingtons brand and planitherm is Saint Gobains. of the two i use planitherm as it has a lower U value (insulates better) and is clearer than K. As it costs the same to buy, ask for it in your windows. any good window firm will be able to copy the origional stains, my glass shop will not mould origional lead glass into a unit because youy get issues with the seal. Usual thing with tradesmen, get recommends, get three prices, ask to speak to previous customers. Hardwood will be most expensive, softwood possibly cheaper than upvc or the same but the problems you get with it warping etc I would not recommend it. The question to ask is whether you want to repaint or not if not go upvc if yes and prefer it (budget not withstanding) go for hardwood. any direct questions or explanations required on upvc, drop me a line. I do run a window firm after all.

MobD

Thanks Garreth, i've not heard of low e glass so will ask the window supplier next time. I would rather have hardwood as the rest of the house windows frames are wooden and i will be painting the other frames during summer. My concerns are that upvc will look out of synch with the rest of the windows in the house and may not look as nice too.

Debt_Free_Chick

In terms of durability, I've been told that pressure-treated softwood is as good as hardwood, these days. But cheaper!

A decent builders' merchant will offer a range e.g. Jeldwen

silvercar

Anyone know if you can get black upvc?

Need to replace single pane windows on a 1930s house "with character". The extension part has double glazed hardwood but we've not been impressed with that, draughts etc.

I'm afraid that white upvc will spoil the look. The house is also rendered white. The current windows have black (partly rotten) sills and black outer frames, so going all white will look bland, difficult to go brown when there is so much black woodwork around, so I'm stuck for ideas.

iBlob

Silvercar. Yes you can get black upvc but I think it is 'foil wrapped'. This is the same technique used for simulated hardwood upvc. My neighbour has this and it looks superb. Another benefit is they don't show the grey/black dust you find on white.

iBlob

Mobd.
Just some additional points on hardwood. It would seem the days of quality hardwoods, apart from oak, are now gone. There are numerous types of so called hardwood used in window manufacture these days - wood they may be - hard they sometimes ain't. They just happen to be in the same tribe (genus ?). After all, balsa is a hardwood. Just be careful what you choose, otherwise you may end up doing what I had to do; replace my hardwood windows and doors after only 8 years. Although treated with lashings of Sadolin, the !!!!!!s warped, cupped, split and bleached.

rizla01

silvercar wrote: »

Anyone know if you can get black upvc?

Need to replace single pane windows on a 1930s house "with character". The extension part has double glazed hardwood but we've not been impressed with that, draughts etc.

I'm afraid that white upvc will spoil the look. The house is also rendered white. The current windows have black (partly rotten) sills and black outer frames, so going all white will look bland, difficult to go brown when there is so much black woodwork around, so I'm stuck for ideas.

You CAN get black but don't.

It absorbs heat and expands and creaks.
Looks good but only any good if well sheltered. It's approx 25% dearer than white because fewer people want it.

Consider Black Anodised aluminium. Expensive but far superior.