What colour uPVC windows would you recommend?

noisla

Just moved into a new house and need to replace the windows - the existing white uPVC windows must be 20+ years old and are falling apart.

I'd be interested to get opinions as to whether I should go for white windows, or a colour - thinking a mid-range shade of grey. Black seems to stark, and a funny colour would be of limited taste. The house itself is very bright white smooth render, with no visible roof line / guttering / window borders to break this up. So grey might look quite pleasing on the eye. On the other hand, I don't want it to look "odd" or too "new build" (it's an 1831 house), and impact the resale value.

Picture below - if the link works...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxVFXFaKgAYbdVhrRnM4NjVEenc/edit?usp=sharing

What are people's thoughts? I have been unable to observe many examples of people with grey windows, but then I have also not found any houses with completely white render and no other coloured features. I was thinking of going for the same existing style of windows.

Owain_Moneysaver

noisla wrote: »

(it's an 1831 house),

Replace with wood windows true to the original period and style. You can paint (and repaint) them any colour you want, and they will last a lot longer than 20 years.

andrewf75

Agree with above. You shouldn't really have UPVC on a period property like that

noisla

Having lived in many houses with wood windows - definitely not. Wood weeps, leaks sap, rots over time, NEEDS frequent repainting/maintenance, attracts damp and is very expensive in the first place. When it needs replacing it means it's actually falling/flaking apart, whereas my current frames continue to look fine as long as you don't try to open them!

I'd considered aluminium, but they are lower energy rating, physically colder to touch, and generally most adverts I see for properties in the area boast "uPVC double glazed windows" so I would want to be able to say that. The area is not great, most properties are bog standard terraces, so I don't think spending a fortune on period windows would be a big draw. Just want to make sure no-one says "eurgh grey!"

pinkteapot

Looks fine with white, so stick with white! uPVC varies significantly in quality and look.

Our house originally had dark wood window frames. The previous owner replaced with dark wood-effect uPVC. They're superb quality - they look like wood from the road - you can't tell they're not until you get up close. And as you say, the maintenance is so much easier. Too much uPVC snobbery around.

noisla

For completeness, the original windows (from old photos) appear to be black frames with about 8 small glass section in each of the top and bottom part of the window. I suppose this must have been wood, given the era. I had considered going for something that looked like this, but it doesn't seem to tally with modern tastes. In particular, I understand that lots of bars in the windows reduces light in the rooms and are generally not popular with homebuyers.

andrewf75

I think modern wooden windows are very durable and I'd say it would definitely add value to the house if in a good area, but as you say if the area isn't great then probably not worth the cost. I'd probably stick to white otherwise you'll draw attention to them.

DRP

White upvc. I think any other colour is fairly unattractive.

I would maximise the glazed area as much as possible as the windows aren't massive on the house.

john-306

If you go for white upvc think about having a black/grey/brown sill, having white sills shows all sorts of dirt/staining/spiders mess due to being limited water run off and spoils the look of the house

noisla

pinkteapot wrote: »

... uPVC varies significantly in quality and look.

All the 4 local companies I have had quotes from have not given me any choice of brands. Do all newer ones look better, or should I be paying attention to the brand?

john-306 wrote: »

If you go for white upvc think about having a black/grey/brown sill, having white sills shows all sorts of dirt/staining/spiders mess due to being limited water run off and spoils the look of the house

There's no possibility of painting anything around the windows, except the few bottom floor sills currently painted black (but thanks for a good tip).

It might also be worth noting that my house is the only white house in the entire area, and is probably the oldest by about 50-100 years. Apart from the beige property next door (pictured), everything else around is red brick terrace i.e. it is not a case of trying to look they same (or not) as everyone else, just what would look most appealing.

Doozergirl

I'll go against the grain and with you. It might be a bit of a fashion statement, but I think grey would look really good if you plan to keep the house white. You'd need the front door to be pretty funky as well. I think the house could take it.

We have a white rendered house. The windows are fairly new. I'd have gone grey in a split second if they needed replacing. As it is, I'm painting the house a different colour instead. There's nothing more boring than a white house with white windows.