UPVC Sash Windows - Foil or No Foil?

jsb1987

I'm about to spend a small fortune (well, 4k), on replacing three windows at the front of my Victorian house.

I'm going for Heritage sash windows. They have a slim profile and look very sympathetic i think.

Just one thing I can't decide on - whether to have the wood grain effect foil or not. In total it would cost an extra £700. Up close, I don't really like it. It looks a bit fake. But apparently it would make the frames less shiny/less plasticy looking.

Any advice/opinions much appreciated. Is it worth it?

This is my house -

Furts

My thoughts are you in a Conservation Area with controls on what can be done?

If not then my belief is all building work should be in keeping with the original ethos, and attempt to improve, or compliment this. This opinion is little different to a Conservation Area approach, or the approach of the National Trust, or English Heritage. Whilst we could debate matters we are talking about quiet, refined, good taste.

Should your windows be upvc pretending they are mock woodgrain? I suggest an emphatic "no".

Have you considered other colour profiles - perhaps a cream, or whatever catches your eye, but definitely not mock woodgrain!

EssexExile

Furts wrote: »

but definitely not mock woodgrain!

Totally agree, if you want woodgrain, use wood.

Edit: on second thoughts, even if it was wood it would be sanded & painted so the grain wouldn't be obvious. So the only time the woodgrain would be obvious on white windows is if it isn't wood!

jsb1987

The main reason we're doing this is for sound insulation. We're in the middle of a city, pretty noisy. I don't just want to get basic pvc windows, so we're going for pvc sash. More expensive, but im hoping that they will look better. I can't afford new timber windows.

We're not in a conservation area so we can do whatever we like. But i think it's important we stay white, as the 3 other houses that make up the row of 4 terraces all have white.

I think i'll probably just go without the foil and save £700!

adandem

Furts wrote: »

My thoughts are you in a Conservation Area with controls on what can be done?

If not then my belief is all building work should be in keeping with the original ethos, and attempt to improve, or compliment this. This opinion is little different to a Conservation Area approach, or the approach of the National Trust, or English Heritage. Whilst we could debate matters we are talking about quiet, refined, good taste.

Should your windows be upvc pretending they are mock woodgrain? I suggest an emphatic "no".

Have you considered other colour profiles - perhaps a cream, or whatever catches your eye, but definitely not mock woodgrain!

I think the windows would still be white.
The foil on white windows does give them a less plastic appearance, I know someone who had foil inside and out on white frames and they do look better.