plastic vs wood sash double glazing

BJV

We have just bought a grade one listed building Georgian and have to replace some windows. Our refurbishment team have told me under no uncertain terms even without the protection of the windows to stick with wood.


Apparently ???? so my guys tell me when old houses where built they would of had big old wooden frames for the windows. These frames supported helped to support the structure. If you replace these with plastic the strength of the plastic/ upvc is nto the same and can lead to the "lintel I think that it what they called it " sagging.


Also the UPVC wood grain is not as forgiving. It is after all a white plastic covered in wood effect which means that over time when the get minor damage white or under cost colours may show through.


I would speak to your window suppliers and ask them not to pre-paint.

leveller2911

BJV wrote: »

Apparently ???? so my guys tell me when old houses where built they would of had big old wooden frames for the windows. These frames supported helped to support the structure. If you replace these with plastic the strength of the plastic/ upvc is nto the same and can lead to the "lintel I think that it what they called it " sagging.

I would say that 90% of the windows dating back to the 15th Century would have had timber lintels above the windows to support the floors/walls above so the windows were never load bearing.

Where I often come across unsupported windows are in Oast houses which were never designed to be houses but where they would dry the hops. When they were converted to houses people didn't want to go to the expense of curved lintels so the beefed up the timber sections of the windows to support the brickwork above. I'm currently working on a house in Kent which dates back to the 14th century and every window has Oak timber lintels supporting the windows which are as hard as nails.

jm2926

I'm just about to replace the current drafts aluminium double glazing in my Victorian house with upvc. Local window company using windows from Victorian sliders in Wales. Can't afford wood, and other upvc sash type windows were way too chunky. Installing next month.

Rosy_in_Burton

I have a modern detached which I want to install sash windows. We have wooden casement windows currently with sealed DG units.
Our first quote was £44k for 5 unit bay and 10 other windows and a composite door from a local DG firm.
I was told it was the fitting that bumped the price up.
Does anyone know if this is the case and would we be better looking at wooden frames?

Doozergirl

OP, did you decide?

We are using this manufacturer on my current project.
https://www.timberwindows.com
You buy through a local company, not direct.

They produce a slimline DG unit. Also, instead of using individual panes of glass which increases the weight and therefore creates a more chunky sash, they have a clever way of making one pane for each sash look like many so the glazing bars are much finer.

It is a good product as we have managed to pull off getting Listed Building Consent for double glazing - almost impossible!

Doozergirl

Rosy_in_Burton wrote: »

I have a modern detached which I want to install sash windows. We have wooden casement windows currently with sealed DG units.
Our first quote was £44k for 5 unit bay and 10 other windows and a composite door from a local DG firm.
I was told it was the fitting that bumped the price up.
Does anyone know if this is the case and would we be better looking at wooden frames?

You haven't said what material you were quoted for, but fitting is fitting and shouldn't be more expensive. The units should be intact, so regardless of whether you choose sash or casement, the fitting should be similar. That sounds like a lot of money for most types of window, wooden sash included.

The proportions of traditional sash and casement windows are quite different - be careful that what you choose is architecturally visually correct, especially if you're going to some expense.

phil24_7

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